Page 50 of Cursed Fox

I nodded, handing over my phone, secretly glad she was taking that responsibility off my plate. And rightfully so. Jimmy was going to be mad I hadn't kept his mother safe. Wes was also right to question me after what just happened.

I listened as Jessie explained the situation to her brother. I tried my best not to listen to how he reacted, but it was hard not to hear the loud wail as Jessie had to pull the phone away from her ear. I thought I felt bad before, but it was nothing compared to the guilt that tore through me at hearing that sound.

When she finally got off the phone, I called Wes.

He answered on the first ring. "Tell me you got the bastard?"

Nolen was keeping him apprised of the situation, so Wes knew when we got the call from Thomas.

"I did but . . ."

The words were stuck in my throat.

"But what?" Wes hissed. "Spit it out, Lex."

"Nancy was shot in the process." The words were like glass in my throat. I could feel them shredding me from the inside out.

"Jesus fucking Christ. How bad? Tell me she's alive, Lex. Tell me she's not dead."

"The bullet nicked her femoral artery. She's in surgery now."

Wes cursed again. "Tell me which hospital she's in and I'll be there soon."

I rattled off the information and was about to hang up when Wes called my name.

"Yeah?"

"This isn't your fault. You're not cursed. Do you hear me? I was wrong for what I said. This isn't your fault and I know you did everything you could to take care of her."

I hung up without saying a word. The truth was I wasn't sure I believed what he had to say. I was cursed. Those I cared about always got hurt. Nancy was yet another person to be affected by it, but I was selfish enough not to want to give her up.

I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Several hours later,the doctor finally came out to let Jessie know that Nancy was out of surgery but currently in ICU. She had lost a lot of blood and would need some time for her body to heal.

Wes and my teammates had shown up pretty quickly. Apparently Wes had several pilots in his employment who were more than happy to get him and my team here. Shortly after that, the men and women from Wes's employment also showed up. The waiting room was full of people who cared deeply for Nancy.

The only people we were waiting on were Jimmy and Nolen, who were forced to drive down.

I knew the moment Jimmy hobbled in on his crutches that things were about to get worse.

"You!" He headed straight for me. "You were supposed to keep her safe. Does this look like she's safe?" Jimmy yelled.

I flinched at his accusation knowing full well he was right.

Wes stepped in to defend me. "Back off, Jimmy. This wasn't Lex's fault."

"It's both of your faults," Jimmy continued to holler, turning on Wes. "You were supposed to protect her too. Where were youwhile my mother was getting shot, huh? Not protecting her like you always said you would."

"You know damn well where I was, Jimmy. I was with my family. They needed me."

"What about us?" Jimmy tapped on his chest. "We were supposed to be your family, too. But the one time my mother needs you, you're nowhere to be found."

"Jimmy, stop." Jessie pushed her way through the crowd of men and got in her brother's face.

Well, as close as she could to it considering she was nearly a foot shorter than him.

"No, I won't stop. Mom always told us we could depend on Wes, but look where that got us. Then there's this guy." He pointed to me. "Promised to keep Mom safe."

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