“Just like Fallujah.” Rusty said.
Grant let out a faint smile. They manned the bumper and fender of the Hummer, pointed their guns at the approaching attackers and fired. One of them dropped to the ground as the other two took cover. Police careened onto the street. The two remaining attackers got distracted by the men and women in blue, opening themselves up for Grant and Rusty to go on the offensive. Grant swung from behind the car and fired, but the attacker closest to him, Hal, spun on his heel and put three bullets into his vest. A fourth bullet struck Grant’s shoulder, and he dropped to his knee as another bullet hit his thigh. Grant returned fire and Hal dropped to the ground and let go of his gun. Just as he reached for his weapon, police officers spilled out of their cars, guns drawn at Hal and his accomplice.
“Drop your weapon!”
The hitmen lowered their guns to the ground and held up their hands.
“Grant’s hit! We need an ambulance!” Rusty said.
“Arriving shortly,” Bryce said.
“It’s not that bad,” Grant said. “I’ve had worse.”
Faith threw open the Hummer door. “Grant?” She dropped to the ground beside him. Blood stained the blue fabric of his shirt purple. His pant leg was soaked on his lower calf. “You better get that fixed,” she said. “I won’t have you limping down the aisle.” She gripped his hand, willing him to hold on.
“Don’t worry. This is my lucky leg. Not even a rocket could make me limp.”
“Wait a sec. You’re already engaged? What kind of night did you have?” Rusty asked, applying pressure to the wound in Grant’s shoulder.
“A damn good one,” Grant said, his eyelids heavy.
“Congratulations,” Rusty said, pressing down. “I’m waiting till May the fourth to propose to Kaylin.”
“May the fourth?” Faith asked.
“May the fourth be with you,” Grant said, closing his eyes.
“I see why you get along so well. She’s as nerdy as you are,” Grant said, his eyes closing.
“He’s losing a lot of blood,” Rusty said.
Faith patted Grant’s cheek. “Open your eyes, Grant,” she said. “There’s a bear coming.”
Grant’s eyes popped open as an ambulance pulled up. “Another one? I’ll deal with him too. Just… let me rest… for a bit.”
Paramedics threw open the back of the ambulance and rolled out a gurney. “Step aside, please.”
Grant lost his grip on Faith’s hand as his consciousness slipped away.
“Grant? Wake up!” Faith cried.
“He’ll be okay,” Rusty said. “He’s survived a lot worse. He told you about the RPG, right? The man is made of steel.”
“But how much can a body take?” Faith said, tears running down her cheeks.
“I should have my girlfriend tell you,” Rusty said. “She’s a trauma surgeon. Trust me, the human body can take a lot. Two non-fatal gunshot wounds are nothing. He’ll get a blood transfusion and a few stitches. He’ll be back to his annoyingly moody self by morning.”
“Moody?” Faith asked.
“Maybe not so much anymore. I think we have you to thank for that.” Rusty winked at her. He turned to his Hummer. “Shit,” he said. “I just got it out of the shop.”
“Press conference still scheduled,” Bryce said over the comms.
“Are you still up for it?” Rusty said.
Faith wiped her tears. “People are dying from this virus. Let’s give them some hope.”
Rusty escorted Faith to the Flux building. A sea of cameras glittering like a disco ball snapped photos of the CEO as he spoke about the fire and the damage it had caused.
