Page 23 of Claimed Gem

Ries pulled her close, blocking her view of his injury and biting back the groan of pain. “I’m shot, yes but not dead.”

Stephanie met his eyes but her tears just kept coming. Ries took a calming breath and hugged her close to calm her down. They were still in a dangerous position and with his arm injured, he hoped Chris and his team could neutralize the threat.

Ries could hear his men shouting. He wasn’t worried about rejoining the fight, he’d come close to losing someone who mattered to him.

That revelation took him by surprise. When he’d seen Stephanie running right into danger, he felt like his entire life was flashing before his eyes.

He’d been serious about her staying at the apartment and away from the danger, and yet, here she was facing it down fearlessly.

If she hadn’t tackled him, the bullet that struck his shoulder might have hit his heart or even his head. He wouldn’t be alive right now if it wasn’t for the girl in his arms. He hugged her closer, his heart beating wildly in his chest and his breathing coming in jagged gasps.

He willed his body to calm down but he couldn’t quit thinking that he’d almost lost her. He had not even had a chance to get to know her yet, and she could have been taken from him in a matter of seconds.

While the fight continued to rage around them, he was content to hold her close and savor the fact that for this moment, she was in his arms.

He could feel her heart beating a wild rhythm against his own, and their breathing was labored.

He pushed thoughts of the pain away and looked down at her as the reality of what could have happened swamped his thinking.

“You could have died,” he murmured against her temple.

She wrapped her arm around his middle a bit tighter and shook her head, “I was worried about you. When I saw that man aiming at you…”

“Shush, I’m going to be fine.”

“But you’re bleeding…”

More bullets flew over their heads and Ries simply tucked her closer to his side. “I’m going to be fine. Are you hit?”

Stephanie shook her head, her hair brushing his chin and he knew from here on out he would always associate the smell of cherry blossoms with her.

He pressed a light kiss to her hair and then pushed her slightly away from him, enough for him to sit up.

He could see his security team in action. After what seemed hours, the area grew ominously quiet.

“Something’s happening,” he told her, helping her sit up beside him and peering around the side of their hiding place.

He could see Chris and several others of his team making their way towards him and Stephanie. Several enemy shooters were slumped face down on the ground. It didn’t look like any of them had survived the attack.

“Ries?” Chris called out, his eyes scanning the dunes.

“Here,” Ries popped his head up, attempting to get up.

“Let me help,” Stephanie told him, getting to her feet.

Ries shook his head and then nodded toward Chris, “He can help me.”

Stephanie followed his nod and then started towards Chris. “He’s been shot and needs to get to the hospital right away.”

Chris looked concerned and hurried the remaining distance, squatting down next to Ries. “How are you doing?”

“I’ve been better,” Ries told him quietly.

Chris examined his shoulder and then nodded, “It is a clean shot, straight through which is good.” He tapped the com-unit in his ear calling for vehicles to be brought over to transport Ries to the hospital.

“Don’t worry about me,” Ries commanded. “Check Stephanie out. She was running towards me when I was shot.”

Chris nodded, “I saw her. I’m not sure if it was bravery or stupidity.”