“I don’t want to stay here with a dead body!” Screeching, I felt that gaze boring into me.
“I’m here,” Stone stated. He stepped over Margrave and glowered at Lio before standing in front of me.
“Eyes on me, babe,” he said. I looked up at him. Stone reached down and hit my pain relief button, and then tore the other wires from me. He unhooked my fluid bag and bent.
“Sorry, April, this will hurt a little.”
Without another word, Stone picked me up and carried me out. “April’s going to the Rogers’ room,” he told a nurse. Jinx exited the toilet and stared at him wordlessly as we passed, and then Jinx followed us. He once again took up a protective stance in a doorway as Stone carried me through.
“Thank fuck,” Stone muttered as he saw a second bed, and Mr Rogers jumped to his feet and yanked back the covers. Stone laid me down, and I curled up in pain.
“I’ll fetch a nurse,” Mr Rogers said. I was appreciative that neither of them asked me what had happened. Julie stared wide-eyed at me and then at Stone. Her mouth opened and then closed, and she blinked.
“I need to check on Jinx, and I have to call Chance,” Stone murmured, kissing me.
“Jinx is in shock. Get somebody else to Clara’s, not Jinx, Stone, please. Make him go home and talk to someone,” I begged.
“I’ll look after Jinx, babe, don’t worry. A brother will be here shortly while I deal with Lio and Jinx,” he replied.
Julie was flicking between us, looking scared and confused.
“Okay,” I replied. Stone moved away and yanked his cell out. I watched as he headed for Jinx and hauled the young man up. Stone clasped Jinx to him with one arm, and Jinx lowered his head on Stone’s shoulder. His shoulders shook, and I didn’t know if that was shock or tears. Stone spoke into his phone and then hung up. Without another word, Stone wrapped his other arm around Jinx and held him.
“What happened?” Julie finally whispered.
“Margrave was here dressed as a janitor. He tried to shoot me again.”
“Oh my God, are you okay?”
“Yes. Jinx killed him. That’s why he’s in shock.” I looked from her to the door and back again. “Jinx saved my life,” I muttered.
“I saw Jinx jump up and rush away, but I didn’t know why, and then there was a gunshot. That was Jinx shooting Margrave?”
“Yes. Jinx saved both our lives,” I replied.
“He’s a nice man,” Julie said, and I nodded.
“April, are you okay?” Teagan cried as she followed Julie’s dad into the room.
“Pain relief would help. Stone kinda crunched me up,” I admitted.
“I can see blood on your bandages as well. Let me check you over,” Teagan ordered, and I lay down and let her sort me out. The instant the pain meds hit, I sighed in pure relief.
Harlequin
Jinx was a mess. It was the second time the kid had shot someone dead, and it was eating at him.Chance was riding in with Sailor, bringing the SUV and Dollar. Dollar would ride Jinx’s hog back as Jinx wasn’t in any fit state to ride. They arrived on the ward and were barred from entering until Phil Gold admitted them. Rascal was on his way to relieve Slaughter, and I was grateful. I couldn’t leave April, but Jinx and Clara both needed somebody.
Margrave might be down, but I didn’t like the thought of Clara being unprotected tonight. There was still the issue of April’s mysterious stalker. Even as I approached Chance, a deliveryman handed Gold a huge bouquet.
“It’s for April,” he said, giving it to me. I opened the card and passed it to a nurse. She looked surprised.
“April won’t want them,” I stated. “This person is stalking her.”
“Damn, is she ever going to get a break?” the nurse wondered and took the flowers. “I’ll give them to the old lady down the ward. She’s not had any visitors or gifts.”
“That’s cool. Thanks.” I pocketed the card and walked over to Jinx.
Chance was standing close by, and although Jinx was pale, he looked more together.
