“Tennison,” Sandy calls out.
I jog over and he nods to Hammond. “Keep Cap company while we finish up with this scene.”
“Sure.”
I squat, looking Hammond over. His eyes are closed, his hand supporting his head, his palm pressed to his forehead.
His shoulders rise and fall rhythmically, and I scan his turnout for any further bleeding. Not finding any more injuries, I release a wobbly breath.
“I’ll live, Tennison.”
I stand and walk a little way away, hauling in a lungful that feels more like drowning than breathing. The ambulance rolls around the block and parks between the engines. I move back to Hammond and place my hand on his shoulder. I don’t know what else to do.
“Your ride’s here, Cap.”
“I said I’m fine.”
His voice is thready. He’s absolutely not fine.
Big, stupid, heroic idiot.
He needs to get checked over.
“You’re going home in the ambulance. No arguments, or I’m calling Owens back over.”
Now he drops his hand as his blue gaze swings up to me. “Who said she’s the one who can light a fire under my ass, London?”
London, not Tennison.
“Sandy, then?” I narrow my gaze. “You’re getting on the gurney, Miles.”
He huffs a laugh and shakes his head.
A groan slips as he sways on his seat.
Oh shit.
I drop to my knees, gripping his shoulders. “Don’t you dare faint, Cap.”
The medics roll in behind me. “This our patient?” one officer says.
I glance back. “He took a hit in the explosion just minutes ago.”
“Come on, big guy, on the gurney before you check out on us.” Another officer moves by Miles’s side. I stand and step out of their way, and they haul him to his feet and pivot him around as they lay him back on the gurney.
“See you at home, Cap.” Sandy claps his hand into Miles’s, and the medics roll him off and into the back of the ambulance.
Schmiddy sidles up by my side. “That puts me in charge, folks.”
Oh yay.
Lucky us.
Islide the spare key into Hammond’s door. I can hear the whining on the other side. Oh, poor Petal. She’s been here for hours with no relief since Hammond was kept overnight for observation at Lenox Hill.
The second I cross the threshold, she jumps up. I squat and she licks my face.
“Hey, girl. It’s good to see you, too,” I say with a chuckle. I rub her neck, cuddling her in my hold before standing and grabbing up her leash.
