Page 52 of Love’s Strongest Soldier

“Ghost?” I shoved against his shoulder, trying to roll him over. “Babe, get up.”

He didn’t move.

“Ghost!”

I finally managed to move from beneath him. He rolled onto his back, and I saw it. The blood. So much fucking blood. It was spreading across his shirt, darkening the fabric beneath his chest. There was more along his side and beneath him.

For one horrifying second, my brain refused to understand what my eyes were seeing. The man who had been kissing me in my office less than five minutes ago was lying here covered in blood.

The man who had just told me he loved me. The man who was supposed to be taking me home and we enjoying a quiet evening together.

“Babe . . .”

I dropped to my knees beside him. My hands hovered his chest. I didn’t know where to touch him. There was blood everywhere.

“Oh, my God!”

Ghost reached for me. His fingers brushed my wrist. I grabbed his hand.

“No. No, no, no.”

His lips moved, but nothing came out of them but a trickle of blood.

“Look at me, babe. Please.”

He blinked slowly.

“You hurt?”

A sob ripped out of my chest. “Stop asking me that!”

His eyes widened slightly.

“I’m fine! I’m fucking fine, Ghost! You’re the one who’s hurt!”

I pressed both hands against the wound in his chest. Blood seeped between my fingers. It was warm and thick. I pressed harder. Ghost’s body jerked.

His mouth opened in a silent cry.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry, babe!”

I snatched my phone from my pocket. My hands were shaking so badly that I dropped it twice before I managed to open the emergency service text service.

I typed the address.

Shooting. Multiple gunshots. Man down. He’s bleeding. Send help.

I sent it several times, spamming the hell out of their notifications. My screen blurred. I couldn’t see through the tears. I tossed the phone beside me and pressed my hands back against his chest.

“Help is coming, babe.”

Ghost stared up at me. His breathing was getting faster. “Look at me.”

His eyes drifted toward the ceiling. I grabbed his face.

“Ghost!” He stared at me. “Don’t you fucking do that.” His brows drew together. “Don’t look away from me.” I leaned closer so he could see my mouth. “You hear me? You stay right here.”

He fought to smile. That stupid fucking grin. Even with blood spilling out of him, he was trying to make me feel better.