Page 122 of Rejection and Redeemed

“How did he get shot?” Fran asked.

“Cresswell brought that Nidal character with him. He tried to attack Finn, then killed Andrew and tried to shoot Mum. Jacob jumped in front of the bullet. Apparently, Jacob can see things moments before they happen,” Robbie told him, getting Jacob’s wolf ready for surgery.

“I’ll have more questions about that later,” Fran said.

“Good, now go and let Emory and I do our thing.”

“But —” Fran started to protest.

“Fran, I’m about to operate on your mate. Leave the room. Go and sit with Joe,” Robbie ordered and then looked up. “I promise to save your mate, Cuz, but you can’t be in here.”

Fran stroked Jacob’s leg and nodded. “Thanks.” He left the OR, his wolf howling in protest. He walked down the corridor,his eyes filling with tears. Couldn’t Jacob catch a break, to be poisoned and then shot? Fran stopped walking and, leaning against the wall, slid down and sat, knees bent, elbows on his knees and head in his hands as tears leaked from his eyes.

He felt someone next to him.

“Fran, what’s wrong?”

Fran looked up and saw James kneeling next to him.

“My mate’s in the OR, he’s been shot in the head.”

“Is Emory operating?” James asked softly.

“Him and Robbie.”

“Then you know your mate is in the best possible hands. Why don’t you go and sit with your family? Chances are the waiting room will be full of them around now.”

“I’m still on shift,” Fran pointed out.

“No one will expect you to carry on with your mate having brain surgery. Go and be with your family. I’ll inform everyone for you.” James stood up and held his hand out to Fran, helping him up. “I hope when your mate is better, you’ll introduce me.”

Fran nodded, took the offered hand and stood up. “I will indeed. Thanks, James.”

James patted his shoulder and strolled off.

Fran wiped his face, and taking a deep breath, walked towards the waiting room. He would be having words with his cousin, asking if he was okay to help and then sending him away. He paused and turned around to walk back to the OR, but stopped. Yeah, he was a professional, but could he or his wolf cope watching Jacob go through a head operation? Cursing himself, he turned back and headed for the waiting room.

He wasn’t surprised when he walked in and saw most of his family.

Frank jumped up and pulled Fran into a hug.

Fran wrapped his arms around his father for a moment, before pulling back. “How was Jacob shot? Robbie gave me a quick version, but what happened?”

Frank told Fran some, with Finn and Joe adding to the story.

“Where’s Nidal now?” Fran asked.

“In the prison ward, Enforcers standing guard,” Berni told him.

Fran spun round and started to leave the room.

Ezzy caught his arm. “You can’t kill him, Franny.”

“I’ll have you know, I know a lot of ways to kill him, thanks very much,” Fran snapped out.

“You do, Franny,” Berni said calmly. “But we need him alive for the moment. I’ll let you kill him once he’s told us everything he knows.”

Fran blew out a breath. “Fine. I’ll wait.”