Page 42 of Under His Watch

I nodded, even though he couldn’t see. “He’s lost a lot of blood.” My voice cracked on the end of that reply, but I cleared my throat, determined to stay as strong and calm as possible. Those men were dead. Franco was rushing to help. As soon as we could get Romeo to the hospital, things had to turn around.

“I’m on my way. Keep your eyes open, Tessa, and look out.”

I nodded again, then let the phone slide down from where I’d tucked it between my shoulder and cheek.

“Please, Romeo. Please, don’t die.” I swallowed hard, my throat thick again as I feared the worst. I couldn’t take my eyes off him, staring at his chest and knowing it was moving. I felt the thump of his heart beat with my pinky pressed on his torso.

“You can’t die,” I begged quietly, knowing how irrational and hysterical I sounded despite the quietness of my voice. I’d scream it if I had the energy, but at the moment, I was putting all my energy and effort into stemming his blood loss and watching for his respiration.

Franco ordered me to look out, but I couldn’t. Not well, at least. With Romeo’s body halfway out the door, I’d have to drag him inside to secure us inside and know that we were safe. Staying put seemed vulnerable, but also not. I had a clear view of the front yard, and as such, I saw the approach of an SUV from a distance as it climbed the slope up to the cabin.

“He’s coming. Help is coming,” I told Romeo, doubting he could hear me. It didn’t matter whether he could or not. I partly said it to reassure myself.

I suddenly felt so damn stupid. Just an hour ago, my worries had circled around the confusion of why he didn’t seem to want me anymore. The anxiety of realizing that if I wanted Romeo to know that I was interested in him, I would have to speak up and communicate that with him, something I’d never been bold enough to do before with anyone else in my life.

I had so much to tell him and express to him. All the gratitude I felt from him saving me. Every bit of adoration and curiosity he'd instilled in me by having sex when I asked for help with my demons. And each moment of respect and patience. I wanted him to know how he’d changed my life, and Ihadto have a chance to tell him. It would be too cruel not to.

“Don’t you dare die on me,” I said as the SUV slammed to a stop. “We’ve only just started, Romeo, and I can’t imagine you gone.”

A single tear slipped free, but I sniffled and looked up as Franco ran close.

“I’m trying to compress the blood,” I said as he dashed toward the cabin. In his hand was his gun, and as he neared us, he scanned the scene.

“Good. Good.” He lowered, quickly assessing Romeo. As he lowered to the floor, he handed me his gun. “Hold this and keep a lookout.”

I lifted one blood-coated hand to take it. Even though my fingers were shaky, I gripped the firearm. He stooped down to pick up Romeo, and I had no choice but to scoot back and stand outof the way. Giving Franco the clearance to hoist Romeo up, I winced and spotted him, extending my free hand toward him.

“He passed out and fell flat on his face,” I added.

“Okay.” He strained, tightening his facial features as he pulled off a squat-like lift. Romeo was in his arms, and he didn’t delay. “Go out and open the door to the back.”

I did, looking around for anyone else sneaking up close. I stood outside, still scanning the cabin and the forest as Franco put Romeo into the backseat. He only got him in part of the way.

“Go around the other side and pull him in. I need you to stay back there and compress the wound.”

I nodded as he took his gun back. We were both covered in red, grisly and stinking of the metallic scent of all that blood this hero of a man had lost. But I didn’t need to be told twice. Franco covered for me, the lookout, as I ran around the SUV and climbed inside.

He shut the door after me and ran back to the cabin, hauling the door shut so it’d lock. In the backseat, I put my arms under Romeo’s armpits and tugged him further into the vehicle.

Franco took off his jacket and tossed it to me. “Good. Now press on that bleeding.”

I applied the pressure again, watching for Romeo’s chest to continue to rise and fall. It did, and Franco slammed the door shut before getting in the driver’s seat.

“Tell me exactly what happened,” he said as he sped down the slope.

I repeated all that I could remember, careful not to leave out any detail of what happened after he and Dante left with Nina and Eva. Franco was patient, narrowing his eyes as he glanced into the rearview mirror to check on me and Romeo.

Before long, we reached a hospital. He pulled up to the ER entrance, and I scrambled out of the car with the medics and techs helping to get Romeo out.

“Are you wounded?” one triage nurse asked me as Romeo was placed on a gurney.

“No.” I shoved past her, adamant to stay with him. I couldn’t be parted from him. Not now. Maybe not ever. “I have to stay with him.”

“Only one family member is allowed?—”

“He’s my fiancé,” I scolded. It was a lie, but no guilt came with saying it. I would do anything to stay with Romeo. My fear was scaled too high, this trepidation that if I lost sight of him now, I’d never see him again.

This was no mild case of lust that pulled me to him. It wasn’t only physical desire that I craved with this man. My feelings had grown so quickly, and I would no longer deny how much I cared for Romeo.

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