Total pages in book: 39
Estimated words: 36673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 36673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 183(@200wpm)___ 147(@250wpm)___ 122(@300wpm)
“It’s okay. You’re okay.” I keep my voice as calm as possible. Her screams can be heard over the fight going on behind us. My feet eat up the pavement, trying to move in different ways to avoid another hit.
“Get down!” Taylor screams in my ear. I don’t know if he’s talking to the rest of the crew or me. It doesn’t matter. I duck, dipping and weaving like a bobber in the water when a fish is caught on your hook. The vehicle is in reach. I turn the corner, and that’s when I’m hit again. This time, my knees buckle from the impact of being shot.
“Motherfucker,” I mutter, somehow managing to drop, tuck, and roll in order to take the brunt of the fall while keeping the little girl secured in my arms. Taylor or one of the other agents grabs me by my arms, pulling me along the concrete. Unfortunately, it’s the same damn area where I got shot. There’s no amount of breathing through the pain. The adrenaline from the day decides to drain from me, because the last thing I remember is feeling someone taking the toddler out of my arms and me holding the fuck on.
Chapter 20
Delilah
“Where is he?” I come flying through the automatic doors of the emergency room, running right toward Asher to ask my question. I received a call less than ten minutes ago from Fletch’s older brother, telling me to get to the hospital. An ambulance was enroute with the man I love. I didn’t bother changing, still in my work clothes, forgoing putting on a bra, and instead grabbing my zip-up hoodie, sliding my feet in a pair of leather clog shoes before running out the door. Literally. I’m not even sure how I drove, if I obeyed the speed limit signs or if my car is parked straight. All I cared about was getting to Fletch.
“In an emergency room being worked on. We don’t know much. Waiting for your dad to come back and give us an update,” Beau says. Madelyn moves closer to Asher, comforting him. God, what I wouldn’t give to have another moment with Fletch before we parted ways hours upon hours ago. I should have known today would be dangerous. I’d never stand in his way from doing a job he loves. What I would have done is kiss him one more time, hug him one more time, and tell him I love him one more time.
“My dad?” I close my eyes, stopping in my tracks of running to the reception area. Of course, Dad was with his men. He’d never sit back and let the younger guys do this on their own.
“He’s okay. Everyone else is, too. Fletch was the only officer down. Not sure on what all is involved. We were told to wait here,” Asher states. I can see the toll it’s taking on him and Beau to hold back and not bang down doors. The similar can be said for myself, except there’s something I can do about it.
“I’m calling my dad. This is bullshit.” I whip my phone out of my jacket pocket, unlock the device, and go through my recent calls until I land on Dad. I press his name and bring the phone to my ear.
“Kind of busy right now, Delilah,” Dad answers after the first ring.
“Well, get un busy and come update Fletcher’s family and bring me to the man I love,” I blurt out. The whole emergency room is listening in, I’m sure. Who fucking cares? My only concern is lying in a hospital bed right now, and I have no idea if he’s dying or not.
“Son of a—” Dad says. “Fletch, you good with Delilah coming back here?” I hear him ask. He doesn’t sound surprised or upset in the least.
“Give me the phone,” Fletch says with a groan. I can hear the rustle of paper beneath him. I cock my hip out, tapping my foot on the linoleum floor, and slowly lose my patience. The need to scream is hitting me hard right now. Maybe I should hit my phone on something hard until I get answers as well.
“Fletcher, please tell me you’re okay, or I’m going to jump over the receptionist desk, hit the button, and come back there to find you myself.” I’m being a bit extra, but I couldn’t give two fucks.
“Delilah, I’m okay. Hell of a way to spill the beans to your dad, sweetheart.” His voice deep and raspy. God, the way I love to hear him talk.
“Oops,” I reply.
“Walk to the receptionist, and grab the family, too. I’d rather talk about this in one fell swoop, then he can tell the masses. I’ll call my bud up in Wyoming, and maybe you can break me out of this place sooner rather than later.” His voice is strong and steady, calming the nerves swirling throughout my nervous system.