Fast Lane | ✔️

30

Ch30

Oh my God, this can't be happening!

Ashton cradled Juliana's head in her lap as she struggled to contain the rush of blood pouring out from her chest. She was unconscious but breathing, that had to be a good sign, right? Ashton pressed her hands against the bullet wound, desperately trying to slow down the flow of blood. She didn't know much about first aid but she did understand the dangers of losing too much fluid too quickly, and with the paleness that had suddenly taken over Juliana's face, Ashton knew the injury had to be serious.

"Please don't die," she whispered fiercely, willing Juliana to open her eyes. What were you thinking stepping in front of me like that?

The image of Juliana pushing Ashton out of harms way consumed her. You risked your life to save me, even after the way I've been treating you. I don't deserve you . . . When you wake up, I'll tell you how I feel, I promise. I'll tell you that I love you. And if I'm lucky, you'll forgive me. Please, Juliana, wake up! Don't let it be to late.

Ashton squeezed her eyes close. How could Natalie have done such a thing? Why had she shot so many people? Juliana, Brooks, Oliver . . . her father. All this time she'd had a father right underneath her nose, and her mother had kept it from her. How selfish could she be? Was that why she was so against Ashton's career from the very beginning? Because of the secret she'd been keeping? How could she hide something like that from her? All this time, she'd had a family. A family! That's all she'd ever wanted.

I have sisters . . . Natalie is my sister . . . But she knew by looking at her now, that Natalie was no longer alive.

Natalie had also been the photographer that had betrayed them all. She'd gone out of her way to ruin their lives. Because she hated them. She'd spent the last several years of her life letting her jealousy and discontent fester, and now look at what happened! Natalie was dead, and her friends were not looking very good either.

My father . . . Ashton watched in disbelief as the paramedics lifted Oliver onto a stretcher, while fragments of their conversation rung out in her ears. He'd been shot in the back, and from what she could make out, the bullet was lodged somewhere near his spine. The medical team looked grim as they wheeled him out to the waiting ambulance.

Brooks had also taken a bullet during his attempt to take Natalie down. He was covered in crimson and it was difficult to tell where exactly he'd been shot. He had been a hero, putting his own life on the line to save his friends, and of all the victims Ashton had to admit he looked the worst. She watched as the pretty blonde who'd been standing next to him clung to his side, tightly gripping his hand in her own, deep worry lining her face. A trace of blood dripped down from the corner of his mouth, and instinctively Ashton knew he would have to fight for his life, if he was even still breathing. She only hoped his will would be strong enough.

Without warning, Ashton felt movement on her lap. She drug her eyes away from the activity that surrounded her to find Juliana coming to. "Juliana!" Ashton bent over her friend, giving her an embrace. Her blood-stained hand carefully swept the long black hair away from Juliana's cheek, smoothing it back behind her ear.

Juliana's eyes flickered slightly before finally opening. Her gaze locked on Ashton's, confusion and pain etched across her features. She opened her mouth and Ashton could hear her release a tiny gasp. "Shh," she soothed quietly, trying to block out the overwhelming noise taking place around them. The last thing Juliana needed was to feel the anxiety of the police and paramedics as they worked at the scene. "You're okay, Juliana. I'm here with you, and I promise to stay right by your side."

Her friend visibly relaxed at the sound of her voice, and Ashton grasped her hand tightly. They held one another's gaze before Juliana's eyes rolled back, her head falling limply to the side.