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“I’m fine,” he says, but I can tell it must hurt him because his jaw is clenched. “I should have protected you better.”

“The bullet’s still in there, boss, you want me to get the doc?”

“No,” Jonny growls, moving his arm under my legs and around my back, standing up with me.

My head goes to his shoulder and it takes all of my energy not to scream out as it jolts my arm. Giovanni keeps the pressure on my arm as Jonny walks us from around the back of the bar and to the door. Bodies are scattered on the floor, red blood flowing out of their bullet wounds and into the dark, plush carpet. I squeeze my eyes shut, not wanting to see any of it.

“Truman! Get the fucking car!”

I take a deep breath as the fresh air hits me, gritting my teeth and trying my best to stay awake, but between the burning in my bicep and the way my breathing is, I know it’s only a matter—

“Kitty? Stay with me, darlin’.”

“I... I…”

The sharp turn of the corner jolts me awake and I gasp, my eyes springing open and looking around me.

What the hell is going on?

My eyes connect with Jonny’s and I can see the worry in them but also something else. Curiosity maybe?

I try to swallow against my dry throat, my legs are stretched out on the back seat with my head in his lap, his hands putting pressure on the bullet wound. I can’t believe I was shot.

This is not how it was

meant to go down, I wasn’t meant to get hurt. Fuck!

“Kitty?” his rough voice asks.

I bring my eyes up to his and croak, “Yeah?”

“I’m taking you to the hospital.” I open my mouth to say something but the shake of his head stops me. “I need you to keep your mouth shut.”

“I—”

“I mean it,” he warns.

“Okay.” I wince at how pathetic I sound and a whimper leaves my throat as I try to move my arm. I know exactly what he’s saying without him having to explain; I know better than to talk about it, at least not unless I want to see myself in danger. It’d be different if I had put together a whole case and was able to use it against him to get the cartel, which was the original plan. But plans don’t always go how you need them to.

“Keep still.” His hands put more pressure on my wound and I try my best not to move, but whoever the hell is driving needs some lessons because he’s shit at it. “And you’re gonna tell me how and when you learned to shoot like that.”

I don’t try to answer him this time because I have no idea what to say. I could tell him the truth but that means opening up to him and letting him know who I really am.

My mind isn’t working like it normally does, any other time I’d have a cover story, something to cover my ass, but I’m coming up empty right now so it’s best that I keep my mouth shut.

The SUV finally comes to a stop and the bright lights of the emergency room shine through the windows. I’m lifted in the air and cradled against Jonny’s body. The lights overhead making me wince. Why are they so bright?

There’s voices, someone shouting at Jonny to put me on the bed, my back hits it and several new faces come into view. There’s a rush of people, my top being cut open and for a moment, I want to cry because I’m in so much pain.

“You need to leave,” a harsh voice says.

“No way in hell am I leaving,” Jonny growls back.

I turn my head, trying to see him and catch his gaze.

“You’ll be okay, darlin’,” he says, crouching down beside me and wiping away the hair that’s fallen onto my face. “I promise.”

“Are you sure?” I ask.