Page 74 of At Last

22.

Caitlin

“Love you,” I hear him whisper as he slumps, then falls to the ground.

Jade begins to scream. “My daddy.”

I move her to drop down next to the unmoving form of the man I love more thanalmostanyone else in the world. The man who not only claimed me as his, but claimed my daughter, even when he didn’t have to. Taking bullets to protect her when her biological disappointment could think of nothing but hurting her.

Tears sting my eyes, but I can’t think of him like that right now. Years of training kick in as I gently but swiftly push Jade back completely out of the way and reach into my pocket for my cell. With no service up this part of the mountain, connecting with Duke drained my battery.

Crossing my fingers that he has it on him, I reach inside his cut for his cell phone. His battery is only at twenty-five percent, but it’s enough. I call 911 as I begin to assess the situation better, tearing at his shirt to not only get a better look at his injuries, but I use it to help staunch the blood flow while speaking to dispatch.

The sirens and flashing lights couldn’t have been more welcome. Once the paramedics were on site and I’d handed off custody, I was able to switch from physician to partner. And old lady to the Brimstone Lords’ president. Never had I been so happy to see police cruisers and ambulances come barreling down the bumpy, dirt drive where they immediately moved to action.

Guns drawn, the lawmen move about looking for more danger. “It was just him,” I tell them. Satisfied the situation is safe, I watch each man holster his gun then start taking in the scene. Tommy sends a man over to take my statement.

But before answering any questions from the officer, I dial Boss’s cell.

“Prez?” He answers. “Got a lead?”

I sniffle into the line. “This is Caity. He’s down, being transferred to Mercy as we speak. They’ll need to stabilize him, then transfer him out. He’ll need a level one trauma center. My guess Lexington or Nashville.”

“Jade?” he asks, which is sweet because I can hear the emotion in his voice for his fallen friend.

My sniffle deteriorates to a cry, but I manage to pull it back. “He saved her, Boss. He saved my girl.”

“Right. Sneak, Carver, Blood, get to Mercy. Duke’s down.”

I hear loud gasps and “Fuck.” Then the rumble of engines.

“Caity, me and Hero are comin’ for ya. Tommy there?”

“Yes. He’s… well he’s dealing with Aiden.”

“Aiden?” he asks.

“Mmm… my ex. Jade’s biological father.”

“So not Houdini?” He sounds disappointed. Not that I can blame him. If Houdini didn’t come after me and Jade, that means he’s still roaming free, which is a scary thought in and of itself.

“No. It was never Houdini.”

“Duke get him?”

“Yes.” I repeat my answer, as my voice cracks.

“Stay strong, Caity. I’m comin’.”

Only after I hang up do I allow myself to cry. And then remember there is a very patient police officer waiting to take my statement. So I wipe at my eyes with the back of my hand and square my shoulders. “Okay,” I say. “I’m ready.”

Once I’ve given every last detail from the moment I made the stupid decision to leave the compound, to when Duke took Aiden out in self-defense, making sure to clarify any details the young cop needs me to go over for him, my eyes naturally veer to where Aiden had fallen. Tommy Doyle has dropped a gray tarp with neon yellow stripes up each side over Aiden. Then he walks to his cruiser to grab out a warm blanket, which he brings over to drape around me and Jade as I’m holding my girl on my lap.

“You okay, Caity?” He asks. “You’re shaking. Might be going into shock. Let me get someone over here to check you out.”

“No. They already did. I’m fine. Jade’s fine. Just nerves. I’ll be fine after I have time to ruminate on all that’s happened. That’s once I know Duke will be okay.”

“Duke.” My daughter whimpers. “He said he’s my daddy.”

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