Turning slightly to the left saved his life. The shot came out of nowhere, struck his left shoulder and landed into the thick trunk of an old oak tree near to the gazebo. Instinct and years of training had him shielding her and reaching for his piece.
Dragging it out, he fired off a round. Without waiting to find out if it connected, he scooped her into his arms and sprinted low towards the house. The sting of pain from the bullet was ignored.
The only thing on his mind was to get her to safety.
Bursting into the house, he slammed the doors shut and raced towards the living room where he deposited her gently on the sofa.
"Are you hurt?"
His large hands raced over her face and shoulders as he looked for signs that she had been shot.
"I'm fine."
Shaky fear had her feeling so weak, she could not stop trembling. She caught his hands in hers.
"I'm fine. You're the one bleeding."
"Flesh wound."
He shook that off and hunkered down, his knees trembling.
"I have to call it in. I have to call Oscar."
"Yes."
She pressed her hand against her jumping stomach and took several deep breaths.
"Yes."
"Stay here. I'll also call your doctor."
"There's no need..."
"Oscar will insist."
Rising slowly, he stood for a minute to adjust his thinking.
"Let me get Irene."
He made his way from the room and leaned against the hallway wall for a minute.
"Son of a bitch!" he whispered.
"What's going on?"
He had waited to call Oscar, trying to find the words. The police were swarming the place, looking for clues and trampling through the woods that led to the harbor. The doctor was in with Kiara and declared her blood pressure was elevated.
Which was bloody natural after what happened.
"There's been an incident."
"Clarify."
Rubbing a hand at the back of his neck, Eric continued. He had downed four pain killers and brusquely told the doctor to patch him up.
"He was in the woods from the direction of the harbor. I was shot. I'm fine."
He hastened to add.
