Page 46 of Laying it Bare on the Run

I immediately regretted sneaking a quick peek. The area was swollen, red, oozing blood, and the skin around the hole was ragged and burned. Yes, the site caused my stomach to turn but it was more from the sick of almost losing Cannon than the gross factor.

“Yeah, well, I can brag and say ‘you should see the other guy.’ He took at least one bullet to the chest. And I’m still breathing and talking. But that bastard’s not.” Smugness coated Cannon’s response.

“Not bad, Cannon. You took out all of the intruders without any back up.”

“I can’t claim all of the accolades, Sarge. Harper took down Waik.”

A half sob half laugh bubbled out of me unleashing the flood of tears I had been barely holding at bay. I buried my face in Cannon’s chest and soaked his shirt.

“It’s okay, Baby. You did great.” Cannon slid his hand up my back and to my nape before gently massaging the muscles there. “Your brother would be proud of you. Well, I doubt he’d be happy with the part about you holding the gun to your own head as it still strikes terror in my chest when I think about it. But I’m proud of you too. You were no cowering helpless prey. And even though a few of your tactics almost gave me a heart attack, they worked.”

“I was so scared I didn’t know what to do. I just acted. And for a brief moment, I worried my actions were going to cause one of our deaths.” I mumbled into his shirt.

“The area is clear, Sir.” Another officer had joined us. “And the coroner is on his way.”

“They’re all dead?” Twisting slightly, I peered at the officer.

“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded.

I sagged a little more into Cannon’s side until he released a quiet groan.

“Oh, God. I’m so sorry.” Backing away slightly, I pivoted to sit on the floor and leaned my back against the front of the bar.

“It’s okay, Baby.” He slung his arm around my shoulders.

“I’ll need to speak with both of you, after they’ve taken care of your leg.”

My eyes shot up to his sergeant. “Am I in trouble? He had a gun pointed at Cannon and me. He threatened to shoot him again and take me.” The trembling I had been trying to gain some semblance of control over flared up one hundred times as fierce.

“Harper, everything is fine. It is a formality to get your statements. You did nothing wrong. They forcibly entered Cannon’s home and we don’t even need your statements to prove that.” Greg gestured to the condition of the front living areas of Cannon’s home.

“Where is the fucking ambulance?” Cannon growled.

“Can I get you something else? Is your leg really bothering you?” I lightly ran my hands down his leg, feeling the growing wet area.

“No. I mean it needs taken care of but I’m more worried about you.” He took my face in his hands. “I want you looked at. I’m worried you might be going into shock. You need to calm down, Baby. It’s over. I’m going to be alright and now you’re safe.” He gave me a warm smile.

I tried to focus on his hazel eyes and get my breathing to slow to a more normal rate.

“Good girl.”

Two more uniformed individuals entered Cannon’s place. This duo pushed a stretcher along with them. One of the ambulance personnel knelt down at Cannon’s side and began to assess his injuries.

“Can you wrap Harper in a blanket first?” Cannon asked the one rummaging through the equipment and bags they had brought inside.

“Sir, we need to assess your injuries and get that gunshot wound stabilized.”

“I realize that. But how long would it really take to wrap her up? She’s not injured, at least I don’t believe so but I’m still worried about her going into shock. She’s just been through an immense trauma. So wrap her in a fucking blanket.” Cannon gritted out the last words.

“Cannon, let them take care of you.” I ran my hand over his hair. The strands drenched in sweat. “I’m okay. I want you taken care of.”

“And I’ll feel better if I don’t have to worry about you.” He cupped my cheek for a moment before one of the medics grabbed his arm to take his vitals.

The other one draped a blanket over my shoulders before joining his partner.

Pulling it snugly around me, I wrapped myself up in it. With the added warmth and Cannon getting medical attention, it gave me something else to focus on and my trembling managed to dwindle to the occasional shiver.

I shuffled back a little when they brought the stretcher over to where Cannon sat. Then they lifted him onto it and arranged him to be the most comfortable before buckling him in. When he was settled, I returned to his side and took his hand.

---