Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
“What the hell?” Stone’s harsh breath came fast.
I raised my head to glance out the window, but Stone pulled me back down and away from the window. “Stay back. They might take another shot.”
My chest heaved. “But where did it come from? We’re up on the twenty-sixth floor. It was supposed to happen outside!”
“It has to be the building across the street. The upper floors are at the same level as this one.” He felt at his pocket and swore. “Dammit, my phone.”
The device lay in a bright patch of sunshine in easy view of anyone waiting to take another shot. A whistle of wind came through several bullet holes in the window, sending a shiver down my spine. Holy hell.
“We need to move.” Stone tugged on my arm. “Stay low and crawl to the kitchen. We should be safe there.”
I followed his lead and breathed easier after making it to safety. Stone jumped to his feet, ready to rush out the door.
“Wait.” I got to my feet. “Where are you going?”
“I need to—” He glanced at me and froze. Raising his hand to my head, his fingers came away bloody. “You’re hurt.”
I blinked, suddenly feeling the sting on my head and something wet running down the side of my face and neck. Touching the area next to my forehead, blood coated my fingers, and I gasped.
“Here… sit down.” Stone pulled me into a chair and moved my hair out of the way to uncover the wound. “It looks like a piece of flying glass hit you. Maybe from the painting. I think you just need a few stitches and you’ll be fine.”
“Oh… good. For a minute there, I thought maybe I got shot in the head.” Dizzy, I slumped back in the chair and closed my eyes.
“No. It’s nothing like that. Do you feel pain anywhere else?”
“No. I’m fine.” I shook my head.
Nodding, Stone left my side, coming back a few seconds later with a washcloth. “Here. Hold that against the wound. It should help stop the bleeding. I have to go. Will you be okay?”
“I’ll be fine.”
He nodded. “Hang tight, and I’ll be right back.”
Stone rushed out the door, leaving me holding the cloth to my head. My vision began to fade, so I slipped off the chair and laid down on the floor, hoping I wouldn’t faint.
The sight of blood always did this to me, but hopefully I’d feel well enough to get back on the chair before Stone came back. If he was headed to the building across the street to catch the shooter, there was nothing I could do to save him now.
I just hoped he didn’t run into another trap while I was stuck here, lying on the cold floor.
Chapter 15
Stone
Irushed out of the apartment and straight to Julia’s desk. “I need the doctor here, now. Is Vanetti in his office?”
Her eyes widened, but she kept her cool demeanor. “Yes.”
While she picked up the phone, I hurried into his office, finding Vanetti sitting behind his desk. “We have a problem. Someone just tried to kill me. They shot through the window in my apartment. It must have come from the building across the street. I need to get over there now and check it out, but Serenity’s hurt.”
“How bad?”
“Not bad. It’s a head wound. I think from flying glass. She just needs a few stitches. I already told Julia to call the doctor. I had to leave my phone.”
“Is the apartment safe?”
“The kitchen is.”
He nodded. “Good. Go back to Serenity. I’ll send Ricky over there with a team.”
“But I need to go.”
“No. It’s too risky. He’s downstairs. He can get there faster than you anyway.”
I huffed out a breath. He was probably right, and I’d left Serenity alone and bleeding. “Fine. But he needs to catch that son-of-a-bitch.”
Vanetti picked up his phone. “Go. I’ll come to the apartment as soon as I’m done talking to Ricky.”
I hurried out the door, slowing at Julia’s desk. “Did you get the doc?”
“Yes. He’ll be here as soon as he can.”
“Thanks.” I rushed back down the hall and through the door to the apartment. I stopped short to find Serenity lying on the floor with her eyes closed.” My heart stuttered as a memory of a dead soldier crossed my mind. Dammit.
I rushed to her side, worry tightening my chest. “Serenity?” Was she hurt worse than I thought? No, she couldn’t be; she was still holding the cloth to her head.
She blinked her eyes open. “You’re back already? Did you catch him?”
“No… I didn’t go over there. Why are you on the floor? Are you hurt somewhere else?” She’d said she wasn’t, or I wouldn’t have left.
She shook her head and winced. “No. The sight of blood… especially mine… always makes me feel faint, so I had to lie down. I’m feeling a little better now. Can you help me up?”