Page 75 of Hart of Vengeance
“What the fuck?” Dillon’s voice made my heart sputter.
I was a tough motherfucker, but in that moment, tough wasn’t in my vocabulary. I wanted to throw my arms around my brother and not let go.
Dillon helped me to my feet. “You look like shit.”
“Feel like it too, bro.” My voice was rough.
He helped me into the passenger seat before he ran around the hood of the car and hopped in.
“How did you find me?” Not that it mattered. I was grateful I wasn’t hanging like a slab of meat drying out in some cold warehouse.
He threw his car into gear and sped down the road. “Tito called Duke and told him where to find you.”
It made sense. Tito wanted Duke to know he hadn’t killed me to make sure he still had a chance of getting into Duke’s organization.
I slumped in my seat, popping my head back, ready to pass out for eternity. But I couldn’t. “Jade. Please tell me she’s alive.”
He reached over and touched my arm. “She is, bro. The bullet hit the right side of her chest, above her breast. The doctor said she was lucky. She’ll be in the hospital for a few more days. I got her well protected. No one is getting past Rafe.”
I let out a groan that blasted my ears. “Thank fuck.” I closed my eyes as warmth started to spread throughout my body. “How long has it been since the shooting?” I’d lost track of time and hadn’t bothered to ask Tito.
“Five days. We’ve been looking everywhere for you. Duke had his goons out. I had Rafe combing the streets and checking in with his contacts when he wasn’t guarding Jade’s hospital room. Hell, I even had my bud Hunter, who works for a security firm, looking for you. Not to mention, the Feds have been worried.”
I let out a strangled laugh, opening my eyes. “They probably think I bailed on my parole.”
Dillon merged into traffic, heading into the Back Bay near Beacon Hill. “They questioned Jade, but she had nothing to tell them. Anyway, I called Kelton a few minutes ago while I was scouring the area. His place is close by, and he wants to chat. However, I think I should take you to the emergency room.”
I flipped down the visor and checked myself out in the small mirror. Christ, I did look like I’d been in a war. My eyes were black and blue. A cut was bleeding on my brow, and my lips were dry, cracked, and split in one area.
“I’m fine. I just need a hot shower and some food before I see Jade. I’m starving.”
I didn’t want her seeing me in the state I was in. I might scare her, and that was the last thing I wanted to do. She’d been through enough.
“You can shower at Kelton’s.”
After several lights and turns, Dillon was parallel parking on Louisburg Square, where million-dollar townhomes were the norm. “I have Rafe guarding her. And believe it or not, the Feds have someone watching her too.”
Travers had probably employed the same person who’d been watching her when she was at the hospital for her sister. I made a mental note to thank him at some point.
I got out of the car, albeit slowly. “Beacon Hill. Wow.”
Dillon met me on the sidewalk. “Well, Kelton is a lawyer. It’s this way.” He pointed behind where he’d parked.
Dillon and I walked side by side, not saying a word. When we reached number twelve, I climbed the stairs behind Dillon. He was primed to knock when the green door opened.
Kelton grinned at Dillon until his blue eyes landed on me, and he lost his smile. “What the?” He waved us in before pushing his fingers through his black hair. “I’ll have Lizzie get a first aid kit.”
“Let’s hurry this show up. I want to see Jade.”
Kelton closed the door. “You’re not seeing Jade tonight. Visiting hours end in a couple of hours, and you need a good night’s rest.”
I wanted to say we would see about that, but my stomach grumbled at the aroma of something delicious wafting in the air.
Dillon chuckled.
“Lizzie is making lasagna,” Kelton said. “Follow me.”
He didn’t have to tell me twice.Eat, shower, then see Jade—in that order.I didn’t need sleep, and if I had to, I would sneak into the hospital.
