Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 77959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Hearing Mac tell him we will be there soon and that we don’t need a police escort, I lean into Libby as she leads me to the sidewalk and puts out her hand for a cab.
“It will be okay,” Mac soothes, and I nod my head, praying she’s right. I don’t know what I will do if Levi’s not okay. I don’t even want to think about what I will do if he’s not.
“I . . .” I swallow over the lump in my throat. “I need to tell his family. They need to know what happened.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Libby says as she helps me into the back of the cab. “I’ll call Mom and have her get in touch with Levi’s mom. Don’t worry about that right now.”
Pulling in a deep breath through my nose, I let it out and hold on to my sisters’ hands as we ride to the hospital. As soon as we arrive, we head inside, where Wesley is waiting for us.
“What have they said?” I ask him as soon as he’s close, and he shakes his head.
“Nothing yet. We’re still waiting for an update.” His eyes go to Mac, and he reaches over, taking her hand.
“Where was he hit?” I ask as he starts to lead us toward a group of elevators.
“Right shoulder. The shot was through and through, but he lost a lot of blood.”
“Did they say if he would be okay?” Libby asks as my mouth dries up and my stomach rolls.
“He’ll be okay, but he was asking for Fawn when they were rushing him into surgery. He wanted you here,” he says.
I nod and step onto the elevator with my sisters flanking me, vowing that when I see Levi again, I will tell him I love him.
Chapter 14
ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS. I LOVE YOU.
LEVI
Fighting against the heavy weight holding me hostage, I slowly climb to the surface of consciousness, only to have reality hit me as the smell of antibacterial cleaner and the sound of machines beeping reminds me of what happened. When Wesley called, he told me that our informant found out Juan was hiding at the apartment of one of his longtime girlfriends.
When we arrived on the scene, two officers and SWAT were waiting for us. What Fawn didn’t know was that morning we’d finally been able to procure a warrant for Juan’s arrest after his SUV turned up in Brooklyn with blood evidence inside. We hadn’t gotten the DNA analysis of the blood samples back from the crime lab yet, but we suspected when we did we would find out it belonged to Elia Albergastey, Tamara’s mother. When SWAT went into the building to arrest Juan, Wesley and I went with them. It was all good until Juan’s girlfriend decided she wasn’t willing to let her man be arrested and pulled out a gun from under the couch where she had been sitting quietly up until that point.
After that, all hell broke loose. The officers holding Juan got distracted by the bullets flying and let him have just enough leeway that he was able to grab a weapon from under the entertainment unit. That was when he shot me. After that, everything is a blur.
“I love you.” I hear it again, only this time I know it’s not a dream. Fawn. Jesus, she must be flipping out. I hate that she’s seeing me like this, but then her words register and I force my eyes open. “Oh my god, you’re awake,” she whispers, then reaches out, fumbling for something on the bed.
Soon a voice is calling through the quiet room, “How can I help you?”
“He’s awake, you said to call when he’s awake,” she says quickly while running her fingers down the side of my face, like she’s attempting to make sure I’m really here.
“The doctor will be there in a few minutes.”
“Thanks,” she says, then leans in, carefully placing a kiss against my lips. “How are you feeling?” She closes her eyes, shaking her head. “Never mind, don’t answer that. It’s a stupid question,” she mutters, opening her eyes back up, and I chuckle, then groan in pain when I reach up to touch her. “Don’t move, you crazy man, you’ve been shot. You need to take it easy,” she scolds softly.
I ignore her, wrap my hand around the back of her neck, and pull her toward me, ignoring the pain shooting through my shoulder.
“I love you,” I say, and she leans back suddenly with wide eyes that search mine.
“What?” she whispers in disbelief.
“I love you, baby.”
“You do?”
“Yeah,” I say softly, and she drops her forehead to my chest, making me bite back another wince.
“I should have told you I was in love with you when I realized I was,” she whispers, and I shake my head. She didn’t need to tell me; she’s shown me every day.