Page 45 of Run, Little Rabbit (Blood & Bonds #1)
I close my eyes for a second and centre myself, calming my heartbeat and steadying my hands.
“Three.” Veon throws open the back door, and bullets immediately start flying.
Brick dust explodes by my head as I dart through the door. Fuck, that was close.
I fire off a few shots, catching the goons in the chest, arms and legs. I’m not as lethal as Veon, though. He shoots with a brutal efficiency, perfect head shots every time.
I grab one thug by his head and slam his head into the wall, watching as it cracks open and blood trails down his face and over the little crucifix tattoo under his right eye that marks him as one of the Seventh Street Diablos.
Jesus, everyone wants this fucking phone.
Maybe I should just give it to someone and be done with the fucking thing.
But then what would happen to the world?
“Move!” Veon barks, and I look up from the gaping head wound just in time to see another Diablo heading straight for me. I dart to the left and pull the trigger, catching him in the back of his head. He pitches forward and smacks the ground with his face.
“We need to leave,” Veon growls, and he pushes me towards the SUV.
Bullets continue to fly, and I catch sight of Max and Sphinx hurling around the corner, followed closely by Niki and Angel.
Thank fuck .
When I see them, I feel more relieved than I ever have in my entire life. They’re looking a little worse for wear, but they’re alive.
I make it to the SUV and throw open the door. Jumping into the driver’s seat, I fire up the engine, throw it into drive like I’m in some fucking action movie and head towards the guys. “Get in!”
Veon hurls himself into the passenger seat, and I shoot the guy behind him who thinks he can get in the vehicle.
I don’t think so, pal.
I drive the SUV into the line of assholes surrounding the others and clock Niki grinning like a madman. He’s covered in blood. There’s so much of it; his hair looks like he’s had a bad dye job. Not to mention the fact that his white dress shirt is in tatters because he’s covered in knife wounds.
Max doesn’t look much better. Pretty sure he’s got a bullet wound in his shoulder, but the other two look like they’ve only got minor cuts and scrapes.
I think I just fell in love with Max and Niki a little bit more.
I can tell both of them protected the guy at their six, and damn, if that isn’t the sexiest thing ever.
The four of them pile in the back seat. The SUV is a big vehicle, but with those four, the back seat looks comically small. Max drags Angel into his lap with a hiss, giving the others a little bit more room to fit in.
Once the last door is slammed shut, I put my foot on the accelerator and set the car going again. Bullets are still flying, but I manage to avoid them all. Or at least, I thought I had.
The four in the back are shouting and arguing over something, but I tune them out because there’s a hole in the front windscreen.
“Echo,” Veon splutters, my name sounding like a wet rasp, and I almost don’t look.
If I can’t see it, it’s not real.
“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.
I won’t lose 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.
“Where’s the phone?” Sphinx asks, panic lacing his words.
“Veon’s left jacket pocket,” I reply instantly.
He runs over, following them into the house. I go to do the same, but my legs buckle beneath me the adrenaline finally getting the better of me.
“I’ve got you,” Max murmurs into my hair as he scoops me into his arms. I try to stay awake, but I can’t. My body finally gives up, my mind knowing that I am somewhere safe, and I surrender to the darkness, hoping that things will look better when I wake up.