Page 101 of Together We Burn
My eyes rolled as exhaustion crept over my body, making my sight blur at the edges. The hand on my stomach weakened, and I stumbled toward the small group congregated around Mac on shaky legs.
“There he is,” Mac sang, giving me a playful smack on the back that almost made me lose balance.
“What happened to you?” I asked, leaning against the truck, thankful I could support my weight enough to remain standing, and let my head hit the window with a soft thud.
“Same as you, brother.” He beamed, looking at the secure bandage on the opposite arm to where I got shot. “Two out of four minor casualties, with three dead bitches. I say that’s a fuckin’ successful mission.”
Alex tucked the end of the white gauze into the top of Mac's bandage and eyed my cut. Stepping forward, he took a new roll of tape. I shook my head, dismissing him with a slight wave of my hand.
“No, see to Stefany first. She smacked her head pretty hard.” He frowned, keeping his eyes on my arm. “Seriously, she split her head open. I’m fine. Just... just look after her for me, okay?”
He didn’t look convinced, and maybe if I didn’t have a layer of sweat dripping from my forehead, and his narrowed eyes weren’t on me, he wouldn’t have seen my knees buckle, causing me to slide down his truck to my ass.
He and Mac pounced, Alex darting to his knees and Mac grabbing my stomach. I cried out, an agony worse than before at the pressure sending pulses like hot lava through my veins, hitting every nerve-ending.
Stefany dove for me, pushing Mac’s hands away as the one I had clutched to my stomach fell to the side. Red coated the palm of my hand and between my fingers. Mac cursed as he turned his hands over and was faced with my blood covering them.
“Jake,” Stefany said, her voice barely a whisper as she carefully pulled up my shirt. Her breathing became laboured as liquid spilt down my side. I didn’t need to see it to know I was losing too much blood. I could feel the constant and steady stream of warmth trickle around to my back and then pool onto the ground.
She moved, pushing down on the hole, screaming to anyone who’d listen, “Help him!”
Alex shoved up from beside me and grabbed the first aid kit he’d used to help Mac, tipping out its contents in search of anything that would help.
“Alex!” she cried, glancing over her shoulder as she kept the pressure on my stomach. “Fucking do something!”
I heard Mac’s muffled voice in the background calling the emergency services. I tried to protest; if they called for an ambulance, the police would show up too, and with three dead bodies and an array of weapons scattered around the place, they’d be arrested.
Alex brushed Stefany’s hands away, assessing the damage.
“We need to try to seal the hole, Stevie. He’s losing too much blood.”
Without thought, she shoved a finger into the bullet hole. White hot searing pain swelled in my stomach as I screamed out and my back arched.
What in God’s name was she doing to me?
My hand flew to her wrist, holding it tight in my grip as her free hand pushed against my pectorals, forcing me to lie down.
“Hold still,” she murmured. Her hands shook as she swiped the stray hairs from her forehead, my blood marring her beautiful face. I reached up and held the back of her neck, pulling her head down to mine. Her big blue eyes were lined with unshed tears as she fought to keep control.
I smiled and closed my eyes, my hand slipping from her neck. I was so tired. So fucking tired.
“No, Jake,” she yelled, slapping my cheek. “You keep your eyes on me. You hear me?”
I nodded, forcing my eyes open. I’d do what she’d ask, not wanting to miss one single second I had left looking at her.
I coughed, the metallic taste of blood coating my tongue and teeth.
“Stay with me,” she breathed, brushing her thumb over the corners of my lips. One stray tear fell from her eye, the drop clearing a path in the dirt and blood stained on her cheek. She closed her eyes, shedding another tear as she whispered, “I wish I had met you under different circumstances.”
I wanted to laugh at her repeating what I’d said the night everything changed for us. All it took was for me to get shot for her to realise what she finally wanted.
I blinked, long and slow, my lids heavy as I opened them. Stefany’s light taps could be felt against my cheek as I struggled to swallow. The taste of copper began to disappear, and the pain started to ebb away.
“I wouldn’t change one minute with you, baby,” I struggled to say, pausing for a heartbeat as I caught my breath. “Well, maybe this bit.” She laughed, the sound so light and freeing it was warm compared to the growing chill that was starting to coat my body.
My arm was heavy as I pushed through the pain to wipe away another of her tears.
“I love your laugh”–my fingertips ghosted her lips–“and your smile.” I lowered my hand, unable to hold it up any longer. “Promise me you’ll do it more.”
