Total pages in book: 135
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 135955 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 680(@200wpm)___ 544(@250wpm)___ 453(@300wpm)
Craig cowers, gripping the side of the gurney.
“Where’s he shot?” Jewls asks softly, her eyes following him to the ambulance.
“Leg and shoulder,” Ace answers proudly, and I wonder which shot was his. “Plus, he bumped into the wall, breaking his nose.”
“Baby, we need to get you checked out.” I run my fingers down her cheek gently.
She nods, linking her hand with mine and reaching for Ford’s arm. “He’s with us.”
“Jewls—“ He’s briskly cut off.
“No, Ford Whitman, you may be a badass, but you’re hurt. I’m hurt. I want you with us.” Her voice cracking is his undoing.
“Okay, babe,” Ford complies, looking to me for help.
I shrug, motioning to the last ambulance. “Let’s roll.”
Check your bag. We will see you tomorrow—xoxo
I scrub the towel through my hair, digging through the bag Harley packed to find the ring box tucked in a pair of socks.
I skim the rest of my messages, noting everyone has made it to their destinations, and toss the phone in the bag.
Jewls rolls to her side, her irritated eyes narrowing.
“Your parents made it to your place.”
Silence.
“The trio of trouble is home.”
Nothing.
“Huey, Duey, and Louie are passed out at the club.”
Nothing, not even a twitch of lips.
“Rowan’s sleeping well, and Ford took a pain pill.”
This earns a flicker of appreciation.
In the ambulance, I ordered the paramedics to alert whoever was in charge that we needed an OBGYN. When we arrived at the hospital, the on-call OBGYN and ER doctor were waiting. Jewls let her guard slip and her nerves shine through until the ultrasound showed things were okay.
However, with a suspected concussion, an unknown drug in her system from earlier, and the trauma of the day, they wanted to monitor her overnight.
I agreed immediately without giving her the chance to debate and confirmed I wasn’t leaving. Rowan was admitted for the night as well. Ace and Jay went to pack our bags, while Ginger and Shayla did the same for Rowan.
As soon as the news spread of their rescue, phones were blowing up and the waiting room flooded with people. I learned something else about James Hayes tonight. He isn’t only a top-notch security expert, he is a master at controlling the chaos in the throes of drama.
Jewls’ nurturing instincts kicked into gear, and she fixated on Rowan’s and Ford’s conditions more than her own. After Ford was stitched up, Margo had enough. With one glacial glare and an inaudible whisper, Jewls reeled it in, but she didn’t fully calm until she saw Rowan.
Like Jewls, Rowan’s mom had helped her shower and clean up. Her face was free of any blood, but the bruising and swelling were clear.
The trio of trouble somehow sideswiped James’ barricade and got to us. While Bea and Janice were fawning over Jewls and Rowan, Ronnie took one look at them and turned to the room with a glare so menacing a chill ran up my spine.
Her voice was cold and merciless when she announced, “Give me a gun.”
Ace, Talon, Justin, Caleb, and I all covered our pieces and stepped out of her reach.
The room was silent and still until both Rowan and Jewls began giggling. Cassie and Margo shared a worried motherly look, but then joined in.
Ronnie didn’t appreciate the hilarity, ranting on until Jewls squeezed her hand and placed in on her stomach.
The giggles died down as they had a silent conversation that softened the anger in Ronnie.
With everyone together and okay, Rowan and Jewls pressed to know the details of the day.
I’d tried to stall, but the women were insistent. Jewls kept her grip on Ronnie, her face passive through the timeline of events. When we got to the rescue plan, her eyes burned into me.
I caught Rowan’s gaze, locked on Ford with complete and unfiltered awe.
The staff finally kicked everyone out after midnight, leaving me alone with a quiet and pissed-off Jewls.
I stare at her small frame in the bed.
Safe, secure, alive, and full of attitude.
My Julianna, ready to lay into me.
For the first time since this ordeal started, a small sense of relief settles in my bones.
I fold into the bed carefully, her eyes crinkling as she tries to scoot away. “Baby, come here.”
Her body stiffens as I fold her to my side.
This lasts for a few seconds before she mumbles grumpily, “Not fair. Your body is damp and warm, and you smell good.”
“I’ll take all the advantages I can get.”
“You scaled a building, Major! Jumped off a roof, hundreds of feet in the air, with nothing to secure you but a rope!”
“I’m—”
“I don’t want to hear your excuses about being trained. You could have killed yourself. It was reckless and irresponsible. If all goes well, we will be parents soon. Did you even think of me trying to raise two tiny humans on my own? Not to mention a heart so shattered to pieces that I would never recover?”