The shot echoes like a cannon, and Erin’s body jerks backward into my chest. Time fractures, sound stretching thin.
“No, no, no. No!” I cry out, watching as blood soaks her white away game jersey. She falls into me, her knees giving out. I hold her close, dropping to the floor.
“Erin. Look at me,” I croak, pressing my hands into the wound, trying to slow the spread of blood.
The room tilts. Shouts ricochet off the walls.
“Get your fucking hands off me!”
I glance over my back. Cops have the bastard on the ground, his hands behind his back as they apply cuffs. My teammates fan out behind them. I watch, ready for anything, but they drag him away.
“Stay here, baby. Stay with me. That’s it. Good girl. Right here.” I catch her blinking eyes and am compelled—no, desperate—to anchor her.
This can’t be happening.
Not again.
I can’t lose her.
Footsteps echo from behind me across the laminate floor. A medic places her gloved hand on my hand that’s sealing the wound.
“Let us work.”
“I won’t leave her!” I yell, crouching over her body like I can fix her.
“We’re not asking you to leave her, sir. We want to help her, but you need to give us space. You can hold her hand, if that helps.”
Hayes’s hand clasps my wrist next. “Let them,” he says quietly, pulling me back.
My hands leave her body, gloved ones replacing mine as I take her hand and stare at the blood on my palm. On my shirt.
There’s so much of it.
The coppery aroma drags me back to the worst night of my life.
Center ice.
Erin clasps my hand. Her grip is weak but intentional, a lifeline pulling me out of the spiral. The medics place a mask over her nose and mouth. Her eyes flutter, red and rimmed with tears, but stay focused on me. She shakes her head in a clear message.
Three words.
Like she knows my thoughts.
Don’t go there.
I kiss her knuckles as the first responders work.
Rudy drops down next to me. “I’m here, Goose. Not leaving. Not this time. Don’t you dare give up.” His tone is everything mine isn’t, collected and hopeful.
A familiar voice echoes in my head, pulling me back.
Stay with her, Chase. She needs you. I’m with you, too. Don’t be afraid.
Jack.
“Stay with us, baby. Please,” I beg, as my eyes blur with paralyzing fear. “Stay with me.”
As soon aswe got to the hospital, they were waiting with the gurney. The ambulance doors flew open, and everyone sprang into action.
