“Yeah. I can’t protect you. I don’t even know where my gun is.”
I laughed and leaned down to hug him. This man was lucky to be alive after being shot, and all he caredabout was protecting me. “Don’t worry about anything except getting well.”
“You need to call your father.”
“I did.”
He strained to push out words. “And listen to what he tells you to do.”
I frowned.
“You have to leave and go somewhere safe.”
“I’m not leaving you.”
“Juliette—” his voice strained.
“I’m not leaving you. You almost died.” Tears filled my eyes just from saying the words. “I don’t know what I would’ve done if something happened. I’m in love with you, Wes.”
CHAPTER 21
Wes
I love you too.
That was the last thing I remembered going through my mind before I must’ve drifted off. I woke hours later—I could tell because outside the window was dark now, and Juliette was no longer standing next to me. Some thug was. I recognized him as one of Vince’s guys—Eddie, I thought.
“Where’s Juliette?” My voice sounded so damn weak.
The thug smiled. “She’s fine. Tommy just walked her to the bathroom to change her bloody shirt.” He chuckled. “You’re hardcore, man. Took a bullet, lying in bed hooked up to all kinds of shit, and still worried about protecting her. We got her now. We’ll keep her safe. You just rest.”
Eddie took out his phone, pressed some buttons, and held the cell to my ear. “Someone wants to talk to you.”
“Wes?”
Vince.I attempted to clear the grog in my throat so I could speak a little louder. “Hey, Boss.”
“Wanted to say thank you for taking a bullet for my girl.”
“Just doing my job.”
“Yeah, well…it might be a job to you, but it’s my only daughter. I appreciate it.”
I swallowed. “You’re welcome.”
“I’ll let you go because you sound like shit. But I also wanted to remind you to keep your fucking mouth shut to the cops.”
The balls on this guy. “Of course.”
“Good.”Click.
A few minutes later, Juliette came back. She sat by my side while Eddie stood at the door.
“How are you feeling?”
“Frustrated. I keep nodding off.”
She smiled. “I know. You did it before when we were talking.”
