“We need to get her some help or she’ll die.” He says nothing. “Fucking Barry, you want your kids to die? Is that what you want?”
“Not my kids,” he says before stepping away and going down a hall that leads to an office, not to the front.
“Fucking asshole,” I mutter as I look back to my friend. “Hang in there. You hear me? Ashley? Help is coming.”
God, I hope it is.
She blinks, and I take that as she’s trying to tell me she will.
Then blood spills from her mouth.
“No. God, please, no.” I apply more pressure on her wound, and then I do something that I hope doesn’t get me killed. I yell.
“Help! Someone, anyone. Help!”
No answer.
“Please,” I whisper, tears blurring my vision as I watch my once-lively friend struggle to keep going as her eyes close. And after everything she just went through, I don’t blame her for it. I just hope I have enough willpower for both of us to keep her going.
Chapter 26 - Karter
The brothers rush around helping. Not me or Kooper, though. We stay close by the cop who’s at the front entrance. We’ve crept back over the barricade, but not farther than that. The cop gives us the eye every now and again but says nothing.
He’s been talking to the SWAT team that pulled up a few minutes ago. He might be on that team or just giving his initial report, I don’t know. Wish I could read lips.
“Flint have anything yet?” I ask Kooper, who’s been on a constant phone call with him, needing eyes in there as much as he can.
“He’s searching, but someone took out the cameras before they went in. All he has is Ruby entering, and then they go down a minute later.”
I hum and keep eyes on the hospital, thinking I’ll get magic powers and suddenly be able to see through it to find my girl. Mygirls. Got two. Maybe a third, depending on what Ruby has.
The cop jogs over and catches Kooper’s and my eyes. He turns his back to us, standing in front of us, as if blocking. I glance at Kooper, and he does the same my way.
“Place is secure and threat is localized,” the cop says, but it’s low. I’ll give him props for his guts alone. I doubt he’s meant to share intel with us, but I ain’t questioning the reason he’s doing it.
“What location?” I ask just as low, barely moving my lips, making sure none of his cop buddies see us talking. I’ve been here more than most and know it better than some of the staff by now.
“Second floor. OB-GYN wing.”
My head snaps to Kooper. He doesn’t move, but I hear a distinct cracking from the phone still being held to his ear.
“We’ve got people in there,” I tell the cop.
“Shit,” he mutters, then gives up the pretense of not talking to us and turns around. “We’ve got a team going in soon. The initial sweep already determined that no other location is compromised. I’ll keep you updated when I—” His radio squawks with codes.
He grabs it and his stance changes, just like all the other cops who get the same radio announcement.
“What is it?” I ask.
“We’ve got people coming out,” he says and turns just as women rush out the doors.
He steps forward, then turns back. “Please stay here. We need to clear each one to make sure they aren’t in on this. Once they’re clear, we’ll send them this way.”
It takes everything I have to nod in understanding. Kooper doesn’t give his word, only blinks.
With a sigh, the cop takes it for something and turns to help the rush of people coming out. All women so far, none we recognize—till the last few exit.
The prospect is holding one woman up who’s clearly on the brink of her baby popping out, and Ruby’s holding her other arm as they waddle out.
