Page 101 of Run, Little Rabbit

“Shit!” someone shouts from the back. “Echo, stop the car!”

I slam the brakes, and the car lurches to a stop. My heart pounds violently in my chest, and when I finally drag my eyes over to Veon, I feel the sickening lurch of it in my throat.

Blood stains the front of his shirt, and it’s pouring through his fingers as he tries to put pressure on it. I don’t even think about it. I clamber over the centre console and into his lap, moving his hand out of the way so I can take over.

He screams as I push down on the wound, but his eyes are bright. That’s a good sign. Right?

“Hold on,” Sphinx says as he climbs into the driver’s seat.

The car jolts forwards again. I lock eyes with Angel. “What do I do?”

“Exactly what you’re already doing, sugar.” His voice is calm and steady, soothing my frantic heartbeat. “Just keep the pressure on, and I’ll take over when we get to the safe house.”

“How far is it?”

“Not far, about five minutes,” Sphinx says as he follows the map. When did he even put the address in there?

I look into Veon’s eyes. “Can you hold on for five minutes for me?”

He hisses as we drive over a pothole.

“Watch it!” I shout at Sphinx.

“Sorry,” he grumbles, his knuckles whitening on the steering wheel.

Veon’s bloody hand wraps around mine. “It’s going to take more than a bullet wound to get rid of me.”

I laugh and sob at the same time, a couple of tears escaping my eyes.

I can’t lose him.

Iwon’tlose him.

His face becomes pale, and I notice how much blood he has lost. My stomach churns when I see the pool down the side of the chair.

That’s a lot of blood.

“Stay with me, Vee,” Sphinx calls from the driver's seat. “We’re nearly there.”

“You called me Vee again,” Veon says with a dopey smile, just before his eyes roll back in his head.

“No, Veon.” I tap the side of his face. “Stay with me!”

His eyes flutter open, but they’re a little glazed.

Fuck, that’s not a good sign.

At least he’s still with me.

The car comes to a stop, and everyone scrambles out. The passenger door is wrenched open, and Max holds his hand out to help me, but I don’t want to let go.

If I let go, he’ll die.

“Come on, princess. Let Angel save him,” Max says softly as he pulls my hand away from Veon.

I step out of the car, and Niki leans in.“This is going to hurt, pretty boy.”

“Fuck you,” Veon manages to mutter, but it turns into a groan of pain when Niki lifts him from the car.