“Someone knifed Hunter!” While I panicked, Hunter was doing a better job at keeping it together. “They ran away in that direction!” I pointed down the dark street. “Josh, we need to get him to a hospitalright now.”
Josh cursed when he took in his bleeding best friend.
“I’m fine,” Hunter said again, but it was a weak rasp. “No hospitals. Remember what you said before?” He aimed the question at Josh. “You don’t involve the authorities with families like yours.”
“Hunter, this is different,” I begged. A brash mixture of fury and fright pumped through my veins. I couldn’t believe it. Someone had hurt my Hunter. Someone made him bleed. “Please. We’re taking you.” I shook my head. “Josh, the attacker came out of the alleyway between these two homes and he was wearing all black, a hood and a mask covering his face.”
“Gabriela.” Hunter’s hand rose to cup my cheek softly, his voice strained. “He…He was heading for you. That knife wasn’t meant for me, baby.”
I closed my eyes, fighting back tears.
Fucking bitch.
Without a doubt, those two words were aimed at me.
But why?
Who was it?
What did I do?
If Hunter hadn’t pushed me out of the way, it would have been me bearing that knife wound.
Or worse.
Based on Josh’s expression, it was clear this was deemed mob business. We wouldn’t be taking Hunter to a hospital. It was too risky. Nor would Hunter allow us to drag him there.
Josh’s mouth pinched into a grim line. He put pressure on Hunter’s wound. “Let’s go back to mine. We’ll patch you up. I’ll look through the cameras in this area and have my men sweep the neighbourhood as well. But we can’t stay here in case the attacker returns. It’s not safe.”
It went without saying that the party was over.
Josh and Layla told everyone except for our immediate group of friends that there was a sudden family emergency that needed tending to. It incited everyone to leave, much to their chagrin. I couldn’t care less about the damper on their moods. We were downtown with a million bars in short proximity. They could continue their festivities elsewhere.
With an armed member of Josh’s personal security team, Hunter and I waited outside in the shadows, along the side of the house where we wouldn’t be seen by the exiting people. And once they were gone, we went back inside.
Now Josh and Cade were giving instructions to a handful of the Remington guards in the living room, and the girls were helping Layla tidy up.
I paced in the hallway right next to the ajar bathroom door.
Sam and Shaun were cleaning Hunter’s wound and stitching him up.
Earlier, I had insisted on mending him. It was my fault. He wouldn’t have gotten hurt if it weren’t for me. But my clammy hands kept trembling with the thread and needle, and all three men grew uneasy with my heightened emotions.
Sam had offered to do it instead, imploring me with a gentle tone, “Let me take care of it, Gabby. I’ve done this before.”
I licked my dry lips. “I-I can do it.”
“He’s right, Gabby.” Shaun was in the midst of helping Hunter out of his blood-stained shirt, shaking his head. “You shouldn’t have to see this.”
I was about to fight my stance, when Hunter inched me a levelled look that left no room for argument. “It’s okay. I’ll be fixed up in no time. Go wait outside for me. Please.”
Ultimately, Sam and Shaun taking care of him was the right move. I wasn’t in any shape to stitch him myself and would probably do a botched job with the shakiness in my hands. Plus, it wasn’t Sam’s first rodeo and Shaun’s energy was probably more calming than my anxious self.
I adhered to Hunter’s wish, but before they closed the door the slightest bit to award a semblance of privacy…I caught the damage.
A long, thin, angry slash down Hunter’s bicep, the once flawless skin marred by the ugly imperfection. Blood poured out of the cut.
I closed my eyes, willing the sight away. My stomach churned and my throat tightened, an acidic taste extending on my tongue.
