Page 35 of Brick (Chosen Few #5)

She placed her hand on his face once again. “I l-love you, t-too. I knew you’d come for m-me.”

His heart expanded, and he kissed her again. “Let me take a look at that wound, all right?” He picked up the flashlight and carefully moved the blanket down so he could see where she was bleeding. Blood pumped out of a quarter-sized hole an inch below her clavicle. “Does it hurt anywhere else?”

Her body vibrated, and her teeth slammed together with every shudder. “N-no. Just my head.”

Shit. He’d forgotten she’d hit her head before going under. His mind replayed that moment. Keetan had moved so quickly despite knowing Taschen would light him up. He’d been set to kill the most perfect, beautiful thing in Brick’s life.

“I need to check you over.” He gingerly peeled back the blanket further and scanned the contours of her body with the flashlight. There were blood smears and droplets but nothing that suggested a pressing injury.

“C-Cover me back up.”

He tucked the blanket around her. “We’ve gotta stop the bleeding. Just sit tight a minute.”

She nodded. Her large, glassy eyes were now alert, probably from all the adrenaline firing through her body. He was semiconfident she wasn’t going to slip away any minute.

Brick reached for the weapon that had somehow stayed in his waistband.

He placed the gun next to Natalie on the bench.

Then, scooting along the deck, his jeans still restricting his movement, he opened the cupboard beneath the bench.

Inside, he found a battery-operated lantern.

He got it started, then took out an emergency kit.

After clicking off the flashlight he no longer needed, he removed gauze, peroxide, and a large bandage. Shuffling back to Natalie, he gave her a sympathetic look. “I need to help you out of those wet clothes and patch up your shoulder.”

Her eyes widened. “I trust you and all, but I don’t think you have a steady-enough hand to stitch me up right now.”

He smirked involuntarily. “I can’t stitch you up with the bullet inside anyway. I just want to clean it and stop the bleeding.”

She inhaled a shuddering breath. “I’m so cold.”

“I know. I’m going to get Taschen’s sweater for you. He probably doesn’t smell the best,” he said jokingly, “but I can promise you it’ll be warmer than that blanket.”

She nodded.

He approached Taschen and nudged his shoulder. “I’m gonna need your sweater,” he said, over the whirr of the engine.

Taschen’s brows snapped together, then his face softened. “Shit, yeah. I guess your clothes won’t do her any good. Here, steer.”

Brick steadied the wheel while Taschen took off his sweater. Brick balled up the material so it’d stay warm.

“Your phone is probably toast,” Taschen said. “Why don’t you use mine to call an ambulance. Have it meet us at the lake.” He pulled his device from his pocket.

Brick hesitated. “It might be faster if we drive. We’re a good hour from the hospital. No way they’ll be waiting for us by the time we reach shore.”

Taschen nodded. “All right. We’ll just floor it. She seems coherent. Is she doing okay?”

“Lost a lot of blood, but otherwise she’s doing better.” He turned back to Natalie, then paused. “Keep your back turned, all right? I don’t need a reason to throw you overboard.”

Taschen raised a hand. “I’ve got eyes only for Sephie.”

Brick grunted, though he didn’t doubt that was true. His friend had just gotten married a couple of weeks ago and seemed ridiculously, annoyingly happy.

He made his way back to Natalie and sensed her groan. “I know,” he said, grimacing. “It’s gonna be uncomfortable for a few minutes. Let’s get the clothes off so that by the time we put on the sweater, you’re not sopping wet.”

He helped her into a sitting position. Once righted, she closed her eyes. “You okay?” he asked, his nerves punching his solar plexus.

“Yes. Just dizzy. A little nauseated.”

“I’ll start with your pants.” He moved his hands beneath the blanket and unhooked her jeans. He slid them down her slim legs along with her panties. She shivered more violently. Jesus, he might as well be torturing her.

He moved quickly, reaching for her sweatshirt next. She hissed in pain as he maneuvered it off.

“Sorry, babe.” He chucked the material aside, then wrapped the blanket around her naked body.

“How much f-farther?”

He picked up the antiseptic spray and made a face. “Probably twenty more minutes.” He doused a cloth with the peroxide. “This is going to sting.” He pressed the wet pad to her wound.

Natalie inhaled sharply. He winced but kept her shoulder in place as he cleaned. “Oh my god,” she finally said.

“Hurts like a bitch, I know.”

Her gaze fell to his shoulder and her eyes went wide. “Brick, you’re shot, too!”

He glanced down. There was a small red blossom on his shirt. He shrugged. “Yeah, that happened at the police station. I’m bandaged up so don’t worry.”

“I almost lost you earlier,” she said, her eyes damp and cheeks blotchy.

He needed to stop the bleeding, but he also needed to comfort her.

Hell, to comfort himself. He secured a bandage over the hole, then removed his own shirt so he’d get dry.

He sat next to her on the bench and pulled her onto his lap.

After fitting Taschen’s sweater over her head, he held her tight against his chest. “I guess this isn’t going to help much while my pants are soaked. ”

She nuzzled her nose into his neck. “I don’t care. You’re still warm.” Her fingers trailed over the bandage on his shoulder. After several minutes, the chattering of her teeth subsided. He just wanted to get to a hospital and put this night behind them.

“Pretty strange we both got shot in the same spot,” Natalie said, breaking into his thoughts.

He brushed his lips over her hair and grinned. “Some people get matching tattoos. We’re one step up.”

She chuckled. The laugh was barely audible, but it was something. He pulled the blanket around them, forever grateful she was in his arms.

Where he hoped she’d stay.