Page 124 of Kane's Awakening
Chapter Thirty-Six
Ryker
“Kane?” I screamed into the phone as I heard the gunfire and shouts on the other end. I had stepped outside the gymnasium doors to talk to him, so I was alone. More shots sounded, and then the line went dead. “Goddammit!”
With gasping breaths, I ran to the exit and rushed outside, running at full speed toward my car. My hands were shaking so bad that I fumbled with the keys once inside the vehicle, but I got it on the third attempt and started the engine.
I didn’t even know where I was going. All I knew was Kane was in trouble, and I needed to get to him.
After dialing 911, I held the phone to my ear. When the operator picked up, I told her about what I’d heard.
She had to tell me to calm down because I was talking so fast, but afterward, she said they’d already gotten a call about the incident and an ambulance was on the way. I pressed her for more information, but she couldn’t tell me anything else.
I changed course and drove toward the hospital, knowing he’d be there soon if he’d actually been shot. With her verifying the shooting, my fears were also verified. Even though I knew it was probably pointless, I tried calling Kane again. Then, again.
Sobs wracked my body as I drove. The gunfire echoed in my mind, and all I could think about was how afraid Kane must’ve been. How he’d thought I hated him and regretted ever meeting him.
My phone rang, and my breath caught in my throat as I went to answer it.
“Hello?”
“Rye, what’s wrong?” Anna asked. “You disappeared and—”
“Something happened to Kane. Shit, Anna. I don’t know details, but as I was talking to him, there were shots fired and screams before I couldn’t hear him anymore. I can’t lose him. I—”
“Sweetie, calm down, okay?” Her voice was composed, but her worry still came through. “Where are you?”
“On my way to the hospital.”
“We’ll be there soon, okay? You don’t have to go through this alone.”
“No,” I said. “I don’t want the kids to see. Just in case he…” I couldn’t even finish my sentence, unable to bear the thought. “I’ll call you when I know something, all right?”
After hanging up, I continued to the hospital, reaching it about ten minutes later. I found a parking spot, got out of the car, and practically ran through the ER doors to the front desk.
“How may I help you?” the nurse asked.
“Yeah, um.” Dammit, my mind was having trouble catching up. “My boyfriend was in an accident… I think. He should be in here.”
“You think?” she questioned.
“Look, I don’t know the goddamn details, lady,” I snapped, losing all patience. “His name is Kane Matthews. He might’ve been involved in a shooting.”
The brunette wasn’t impressed with my attitude, but I really didn’t care. Thankfully, she didn’t kick me out for being so rude, and she looked at her computer for a handful of seconds.
“Three men were just brought in,” she answered as she read something on her end and looked back up at me. “That’s all I can tell you at this time. If you’ll have a seat in the waiting room, I’ll let you know when I have more info.”
Knowing I had already pressed my luck enough with the nurse, I clenched my jaw but nodded and did as she requested.
It wasn’t long before two more men rushed into the ER, followed by a third, more muscled man. I recognized the blond one with the lacey blouse, skinny jeans, and pink flats. Gabriel. The three of them swarmed the nurse I’d just talked to, and even though I couldn’t hear what was said, I saw her point to where I sat.
Gabriel recognized me and came over, frantic and with his makeup smeared down his cheeks. “Oh my god, have you heard anything?”
“No,” I answered, speaking through a tight throat. “Have you?”
“Only what Jackson has told me,” Gabriel answered.
“I was there when it happened,” Jackson said. He looked familiar, and I searched my memories to see where he fit. He had chestnut hair, brown eyes, and an athletic build. “A man came into Michael’s firm and started shooting. Michael went down first, and then Kane did, but not before he shot the perp.”
