Chapter 122

Nora POV

The sound of the gunshot echoed forever.

One second Kai was standing there, brave and stupid and offering himself as a sacrifice. The next, his body jerked backward like someone had yanked a string, and red bloomed across his white shirt like a terrible flower.

“KAI!”

I was running before I knew I was moving. Security guards tried to grab me, but I shoved past them, falling to my knees beside where he’d collapsed.

Blood. So much blood. Spreading across the concrete, soaking through his shirt, his suit jacket, everything.

“No, no, no.” I pressed my hands to the wound, trying to stop the bleeding, but it just kept coming. Hot and wet and terrifying. “Stay with me. Please stay with me.”

His eyes were open, but unfocused. His breathing came in short, ragged gasps.

“Nova,” he whispered.

“Don’t talk. Save your strength.” Tears blurred my vision. “Help! Someone help us!”

Behind me, I heard Darren screaming as polic