Page 114 of Triple Power Play 3
I know—crazy, right?
The trauma team is currently working on him. They don’t believe the bullet hit any major arteries or organs, but he’s lost a lot of blood, and the damage to his shoulder and arm is extensive. He’ll be taken to surgery once he’s stable and the unit is ready.
His commander, Ethan, and I demanded he get the best care—a private room, top surgeons, whatever is necessary. No expense spared.
I owe him my life.
And I don’t need Aurora divorcing me because I injured both her boyfriends and destroyed our dream home all in one night.
And put Desi and Dante at risk.
Andshe could’ve been kidnapped. Or worse.
Jesus, when I fuck up, I do it in epic proportions.
Regret and guilt overwhelm me. My head spins, and I sway on my feet.
Ethan tightens his embrace. “You alright?”
“I’m sorry I brought this on us. I was going to take care of it myself.” I release a shaky exhale and blink the tears away. “I’ll fix the house, or we can move. Anything you want.”
“I don’t give a shit about the house, you know that. I only want us to be safe. We’ll figure it out. Let’s get through these next few days first.” He brushes his lips over my temple. “I have no intention of allowing either of you out of my sight.”
“I wish we were always like this.” The thought slips past my lips. My weary mind lacks a filter, although I don’t have much of one, even on a good day.
“I know.” He grows quiet, and just when I think that’s all I’m getting from him, he adds, “Me too.”
Hope flutters in my stomach like butterflies. “Why can’t we?”
“This is really bothering you, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“We can…privately.” He yawns and stretches his neck. “And it’s probably something we need to discuss with Aurora.”
His yawn is contagious, and I rest against him and close my eyes. “She knows.”
He nuzzles the curve of my neck. Something shifts between us. I can’t pinpoint it, but I sense it with every fiber of my being.
An agent or officer or whatever they’re called gave usSpecial Response TeamT-shirts and scrub pants to replace what was confiscated as evidence. The medic patched up Ethan’s chin and offered him an ice pack. We washed up the best we could in the bathroom in the private waiting room they put us in.
Now, all we need is Aurora.
As if my thoughts summoned her, the tracker beeps on my phone. “They’ll be here soon, thank fuck.”
The vehicle comes to a stop, and Dante exits the back seat. “She’s injured—not bad, but she won’t let anyone touch her.”
I round the car before the words are out of his mouth, Ethan behind me.
I’ll lose my mind if she’s hurt. This is all my fault. These things shouldn’t happen to her and wouldn’t if she wasn’t part of my life.
I pull the door open, and she slumps forward.
Panic shoots through me. I crouch and cup her pale face in my hands. “What’s wrong?”
Her eyes slowly focus. “Jackson,” she breathes, then her gentle expression crumbles as her forehead falls to mine.
“Baby,” I sob, right along with her.
