Ryder leans back into the car. “I’m sorry, man. This is going to hurt like a motherfucker,” he says to Leo.
“I can help you,” I say dryly.
“You can fuck off,” he growls back.
I watch through the window as he puts Leo’s arm around his neck and, as gently as possible, wiggles Leo to the open door with his arm around his back and under his knees. “Hold your breath,” he warns before lifting Leo out of the car. The scream that rips out of Leo makes me sick to my stomach, and my eyes lurch to the pained sound Les makes hearing it. Tears are pouring down her face, and Gage doesn’t look much better.
“Fuck,” Ryder breathes. “Fuck, I’m sorry.”
I’m just shocked that Ryder has a soft bone in his body, especially helping a guy dating the girl he’s been in love with forever.
Leo’s head lolls on Ryder’s shoulder as he strides into the front door, everyone filing in behind them. “Just don’t drop me, asshole.”
Ryder barks a laugh. “Should have let your ungrateful ass bleed out in the car.”
Leo chuckles, then groans in pain again, causing Ryder to pick up the pace, Les hot on his heels. He rushes him to the back of the house through a door held open by a very concerned-looking redhead. He gently lays him on a hospital-type gurney and steps back. Les rummages around, pulls out a pair of scissors, and walks back over to him.
“Docs on the way,” she assures him. “I need to get your clothes off.”
She cuts through the arms of his jacket, letting it fall open underneath him, then does the same to the center and arms of his dress shirt with the precision of a doctor. She lays the sharp shears besidehim and then gently peels his shirt off the wound, all the blood soaking through, causing it to stick to his skin. She chokes back a sob when she sees the huge wound and the look on his face.
A tall guy with salt and pepper hair bustles in still in his flannel pajamas, a shorter blonde woman following behind him. He doesn’t waste any time snapping gloves on and looking closely at the wound, palpitating around it, causing Leo to groan in pain again. “It looks like it ripped straight through.” He looks up at me, and I notice it’s Doc Sorenson. The same doctor who took care of this family for years and his wife. “Detective Ayers,” he greets politely before looking back at Les; I don’t miss the what the fuck look. “I need to scrub up, and I need the room. Loretta will get an IV started for fluids, and he’ll need blood.” Loretta hands him several thick gauze pads that he shoves against the wound. “Do you know your blood type, son?” he asks Leo.
“B-positive,” he whispers well on his way to passing out.
Evander and Mateo bust into the room, looking like they ran to get here. They rush to Leo’s side. “Hey, brother,” Evander says, gripping his hand tight.
Loretta bustles to the refrigerator I know is stocked frequently with blood bags. She digs relentlessly, then looks at her husband. “There is none.” I can tell by the tone of her voice that Leo doesn’t have much time. “Any of you guys a match?” They all shake their heads looking more and more worried by the second.
Internally kicking myself again, I step forward. “I am.” Leo doesn’t mean shit to me. I can let him die, and one less person will be standing in my way, but the relief on Les’ face is worth it.
“What’s your play here, Zane?” Ryder growls, taking a step toward me, Les steps in front of him.
“Not now,” she begs, then looks at me. “Thank you.”
I shrug out of my tux jacket, remembering the graze from those assholes. I test my arm, and it seems fine. I’ve had worse.
“Zane, you’re bleeding,” Les says, actually sounding worried.In my fucking dreams.She’s probably just concerned I won’t have enough blood to save her little boyfriend.
“It’s just a graze,” I tell her. Her eyes still look worried for me, giving me the slightest hope that she might still care.
“Sit, sit.” Loretta bustles over, leading me to a chair. “Doc needs everyone else out.” She shoos her hands.
Les kisses Leo’s sweaty forehead. “I’ll be right outside.”
He weakly nods, and she leans down, whispering something in his ear that relaxes his face. They all lead her out of the room, glaring at me on the way by.You’re welcome.The door shuts behind them, and Loretta walks up, holding a wicked-looking needle. I lay my head back on the wall so I don’t have to watch. I fucking hate needles.
Why am I doing this again?
Chapter 37
Alessa
Ican’t stop pacing outside the door, waiting to see what they say about Leo.
I angrily tore off my heels on the third pass and kept pacing. All the guys keep eyeing me warily after I bit off Ryder’s head for trying to lead me away. Now they’re all lined up against the wall, just watching me. I didn’t mean to snap at him, but this isLeo.The one who should have never been involved in this is lying in a room with a gaping bullet wound because of me. I know, I fucking know this is Viktor. They weren’t aiming to kill; it was a warning of his capability. He doesn’t understand that he just pissed off the one woman more powerful than him by hurting one of her guys. I don’t give a fuck I was in that car, but my guys were; my whole life was in that fucking car.
“Les,” Ryder says gently from his position sitting on the floor. “Please let me take care of your leg.”
