Page 120 of Property of Yak

Fuck. It’s our only option.

“I need you to stay as close to the wall as possible and rush. Whatever you do, don’t look down. Do you understand?”

“Okay.” She nods.

Taking her hand in mine, we rush forward. Right when it opens up, though, I feel her stagger.

“Dad. My dad,” she gasps.

I look down and watch as he takes another shot, one to the shoulder, and staggers back, covered in blood.

“Daddy!” Julie screams.

My eyes dart back to the man in question, and I watch as his body lies motionless on the ground.

“She’s mine,” I hear Aragon roar.

I don’t have time to get her out. I push Julie behind me, pulling my gun and shooting off four shots.

I only have two left as I duck us behind a pole.

“I’ll kill you,” Aragon screams.

I peek around the pole and see him moving toward the stairs.

I pop out, aim my gun, and shoot.

At the same time, a figure grabs him from behind.

My heart drops.

Yooper slits his throat at the same time my bullet enters his forehead.

Fuck me.

They both fall to the ground. I can’t even tear my eyes away.

I’m vaguely aware that the shooting has stopped, but the ringing in my ears has me dazed.

“Yak, we have to go check on him. Now,” Julie pleads with me.

Shaking it off, I pull her down the stairs. When I stop above Yooper, I’m relieved when he groans and pushes Aragon’s body off of his.

“Bennett, you scared the fuck out of me,” I tell him, pulling him in for a hug.

“You fucking shot me, Jameson,” he hisses, touching his cheek.

He’s got brain matter all over him, but thankfully the bullet just grazed him.

Julie’s hand in mine is pulling.

“Get the cuts and cut off any KOA markings. Pops called the cops. We need to get out of here,” I tell him.

He nods and starts delegating as I let Julie pull me to her father. He’s still alive, but barely.

“Daddy, we are going to get you fixed up.”

He shakes his head. “You’re going to leave with Yak. Baby, I’m not going to make it. I’ve lost too much blood.”