Sacha pursed his lips. “You know, you’re right. I can just put the guy in a sleeper hold. Nice and clean. No one gets any blood on them. I forgot my Tide stick. Does that work on blood stains?”
“No sleeper holds,” Gio sighed.
“Smashing it is.”
“Oh my god, no,” Gio laughed. He took Sacha’s chin, turning his face to kiss him. “What am I going to do with you?”
Sacha waggled his eyebrows. “I’ve got a few ideas, but they all mean giving the driver a show, and I don’t think his contract covers seeing me pound your ass in the backseat.”
“Why?” Gio shook his head. “Why do you do this to me?”
Sacha threw his head back and laughed. “Because you’re easy.” He gave Gio a sinful look.
“Stop it right now.”
Sacha snickered. “Looks like we’re next.” He took Gio’s hand and squeezed it. “Ready?”
Gio nodded. “If you’re with me? Of course.”
“You’ve got it so bad for me,” Sacha teased as the limo rolled to a stop.
Before Gio could reply, the door opened, and Sacha got out, moving to one side so Cookie could jump down. Gio followed, taking Sacha’s outstretched hand.
Camera flashes went off as people shouted his name and the names of several other guests who joined the crowd on the red carpet. It was far busier, noisier, and more intense than most charity events he attended, but he took a deep breath and smiled widely, his body and mind calming the moment he felt Sacha’s hand on his lower back. He waved to the crowds behind the velvet ropes on both sides of the carpet, allowing them to take his photo; many of them asked for Sacha to be included in the pictures with him.
It was rare for Sacha to attend an event like this where photos of them as a couple would be taken. Gio always left the decision to Sacha, but his boyfriend didn’t hesitate. He stepped up to Gio, wrapped an arm around his waist, and smiled for the cameras. Damn, he was beautiful. Gio wrapped his arm around Sacha and squeezed, thankful he was here.
One minute, they were smiling and waving, and the next, screams filled the air, followed by booming sounds.What the hell?
“Gun!” someone screamed, and chaos broke out. All Gio saw was a flash of movement and colors. His heart pounded, and a shiver ran through him.
“Gio, move!” Sacha grabbed Gio’s wrist and pushed his way through the crowd, clearing a path for them and Cookie, who whined as they hurried toward the building. “Cookie, inside,” Sacha ordered, and Cookie darted through the crowd and hurried indoors, stopping just inside to wait for them.
A man barreled through the crowd, and Sacha pulled Gio behind him as another explosion rocked the air. Gio was shoved and knocked to the ground in the chaos. Before he could process what was happening, Sacha was on him, shielding him, his arms wrapped around Gio’s head until the danger passed. Gio’s chest heaved quickly, his hands trembled as he opened his eyes, and the sound of sirens rang in the background.
“I think it’s safe to get up,” Gio murmured, his voice shaky.
Sacha didn’t move.
“Sacha?”
Gio carefully rolled Sacha off him, and his world broke apart. He shook his head and pressed his hands against the bleeding wound on Sacha’s side.
“Baby, wake up. Please wake up.” Tears welled in Gio’s eyes, and Cookie appeared beside him, whining and nudging him. Gio shook his head again. He couldn’t pass out, not when Sacha needed him. “Someone, help me!Please,” he shouted. His world was becoming hazy, his vision darkening.
Paramedics rushed over and quickly got to work to stop the bleeding.
“How long has he been unconscious?” one of the paramedics asked.
“I don’t know. His eyes were closed when I rolled him onto his back, and then I saw the blood. You have to save him. Please. I can’t lose him.”
“We need to get him in the ambulance.”
The last thing Gio saw was Sacha being rushed away on a gurney before his world went black.
CHAPTER TWO
Ugh,he felt terrible. Gio groaned and blinked open his eyes, frowning at the beeping sounds, dim lighting, and smell of disinfectant.What is happening?A slight whine caught his attention, and Cookie’s wet nose touched his hand, making him smile.
