That was the million-dollar question.
When the SUV slowed and then came to a stop, Dan peeked up over the edge of the window. They were parked a couple of blocks away, far enough to not be in the line of fire. Jonny and Jamie were climbing out of the ambulance parked in front of them. The other one was probably full of bullet holes.
"Come on, baby. We need to get Hector into the ambulance so he can get to the hospital."
"When I move my hands, put pressure on his wound. We have to keep him from bleeding out."
Dan nodded his understanding.
Terry drew in a deep breath then opened the door and climbed out. Once he moved, Dan took his place, putting pressure on Hector's chest. Jamie and Jonny were there with a gurney. Dan moved back when the two paramedics took over. He watched them work on Hector for a moment before climbing out on his side of the vehicle then quickly going around to the other side.
As soon as he rounded the back of the vehicle, Terry dove into his arms and hugged him so tight he could barely breathe. He didn't care. He had Terry in his arms again, and not in the direct line of fire.
"Did you mean it?" Terry asked.
Dan chuckled. He didn't even try to deny he knew what Terry was talking about. "Yeah, I meant it. I love you."
A heavy breath whooshed right out of Terry. "I love you, too. I was afraid to tell you because it was so quick and—"
"What was quick?" Dan asked. "We've been dancing around each other for weeks. We were both just smart enough to go after what we wanted."
"And what do you want?"
As if he even had to ask.
"You." Dan leaned down and brushed their lips together. "Just you."
"Time to go, Dan," Yancy called out.
"Go?" Terry swallowed so hard Dan almost felt it. "Go where?"
"I called in the cavalry, remember? We have to go get the bad guy."
"But—"
"Baby, this is what I do and I'm good at it. Besides"—Dan waved his hand around to encompass the crowd of men standing there—"I have backup."
Hell, most of the law enforcement in Cade Creek were standing there, not to mention a few people who weren’t official law enforcement, but still kicked ass.
"Eddie Fletcher and Nick Hale are going to ride up to the hospital with you and Hector. Deputy Fletcher will stay with you, and Deputy Hale is going to stay with Hector. You are not to leave his side. Understand?"
Terry glanced at Deputy Fletcher and gave him a small nod.
"I'll be home soon, Terry."
"You'd better be." Terry's eyebrows lowered in a deep frown. "I'm making a special dinner for you, me, and Hector." He blinked for a moment as if he just remembered Hector had been shot. "We'll take Hector's up to him. And I promised him southern sweet tea, so you need to get that mess cleaned up because I need to go to the grocery store and get tea."
Dan grinned as those around them chuckled. "Yes, dear."
After getting one more kiss from Terry, Dan stood there and watched him climb into the back of the ambulance. He gave Deputy Fletcher a hard look. "Don't move from his side."
"I won't."
It might have been the hardest thing Dan ever did to stand there and watch the ambulance leave with who might possibly be the most important person in his life. He didn't know when Terry had wormed his way into his heart, but the guy had a firm hold. Dan doubted he'd let go anytime soon.
He smiled. He hoped Terry didn't plan to let go anytime soon. He certainly didn't.
"Okay, folks, gather around," the sheriff said. He was leaning over a map of Cade Creek that was spread out over the hood of his vehicle. He pointed to a spot on the map. "We believe the shots are coming from here."
