Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72643 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72643 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 291(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
“It went through.” Nate hissed as I brushed my finger over the exit wound to get a better view. “Looks like a small-bore slug. Pretty clean, really.”
“Don’t play it off. You’re shot!” I pushed him against the vanity and dug around in the cabinet beside the mirror. Alcohol, bandages, and a few other first aid items were in a box toward the back. I pulled it out and grabbed a washcloth. “Hold this on it.”
He took the wash cloth and did as instructed with a bemused look. “I’m fine, really. This is like a mosquito bite to me.”
I blinked and saw Will’s too-pale face. I shot my hand out and grabbed the cabinet to steady myself.
“Whoa, whoa.” He pulled me to his chest. “Just breathe. Everything’s going to be all right.” Stroking my hair with his right arm, he breathed steadily. His strong heartbeat thumped against my cheek as I inhaled his scent and reassured myself that he was going to be fine. “I’m sorry about Will,” he said quietly.
“I didn’t know him, but I wanted to save him. I-I tried, but I c-couldn’t—”
“I know.” He dropped a kiss on the crown of my head as my tears began anew. “It wasn’t your fault. Shit got hairy at the docks tonight.”
“Dmitri?”
He stiffened. “Yes. He was there. Escaped with his life, barely.”
I’d never wished for someone’s death before, but Dmitri was different. With him, either he would die, or I would. He’d made it clear that the two of us living in peace wasn’t an option.
“I’m okay.” I sniffled and took a step back. “I can clean up your arm.”
“You don’t have to. Doc Friar will get to me once he’s done with the others.”
“I want to.” I glanced up and met his eyes.
He seemed to soften as he wiped the tears from my cheeks. “All right.”
I uncapped the alcohol and ignored the slight tremor in my hand as I wiped the area clean, then used cotton balls to dab alcohol around the wounds. The blood had slowed down enough for me to get a good look at the entry and exit—both an angry red.
“You’re doing great.” Nate peeked at my work, then settled down while I bandaged both sides after applying some antibacterial ointment.
When I was done, he was all cleaned up with fresh white bandages.
“Thanks.” He flexed his bicep and only winced a little. “It’ll heal in no time.”
“You’re welcome.” I stood in front of him, wanting to keep him here instead of letting him go back out into danger.
“I need to get downstairs, check on my guys.”
“What happened?”
“Ambush. The rat told the Russians our entire game plan. But, with a little luck, we managed to turn the tide.”
“How many.” I cleared my throat. “How many dead?”
“Them, lots. Us, about six.” His expression darkened. “They’ll pay for ours in blood. I can guarantee you that.”
“More killing?” I rested my palms on his chest, relishing the warm skin.
“Yes.” He nodded and covered my hands with his.
At least he didn’t lie to me.
“Stay here. I’ll check on the guys. The doc should be almost done. He’ll send the worst to the hospital. Otherwise, he’ll fix the rest up downstairs.”
“I can help.”
He ran his hand down my cheek. “You’ve done plenty.”
Worry bloomed in my chest, and I didn’t want to let him out of my sight. “Can I stay with you?”
He rested his chin on my crown. “Wouldn’t you rather stay up here, away from all of it?”
“No.” I wrapped my arms around his waist. “I want to be wherever you are.”
He sighed. “You’re killing me, Smalls.”
“What?”
“Nothing.” He smoothed his hands down my arms. “You can come downstairs with me. Let me grab a shirt from my room.”
I followed him past the carnage in the foyer and into his office. Peter and David were already there. Peter had a bandage wrapped around his head.
My eyes widened when I saw him.
“Bullet got a piece of my ear.” He shrugged. “No big deal.”
“You bleed like a stuck pig.” David looked none the worse for wear.
“Shut up.” Peter flipped him off and gestured at the seat next to him, inviting me to sit.
I walked over to take him up on the offer.
“Here, with me.” Nate gave Peter a death glare and patted his lap as he sat behind his desk.
Sitting on his lap when we were alone was one thing. In front of his men? That was different. All the same, I walked over to him and sat. I couldn’t turn down an offer to be close to him.
He adjusted me in his lap, turning me so my head rested on his shoulder. Once I was settled, he relaxed beneath me, as if the contact soothed his frayed soul somehow.
The brothers exchanged a look.
Nate didn’t seem to be bothered by it in the least. “Give me a status report.” He drummed his fingers on the arms of his chair.