Page 80 of Serve and Protect

Ruth’s smile is sad. “You’ll see him at the hospital, sweetie. Jack and I will drive you straight there as soon as we reach the house.”

“We still have to hurry,” I say as I rush down the porch steps and head in the direction of the main house. “Every second counts.”

Ruth and Jack are right on my heels.

“You guys go,” Hannah says, waving us off. “We’ll secure the scene here and be right behind you.”

* * *

When we make it back to the house, there’s no sign of Chris and the others. There’s also no helicopter. The ATV is parked in the circular drive in front of the house, abandoned.

A middle-aged Latina comes out, waving her arms excitedly. “A helicopter took them away!” She glances at us. “Where is Mr. David?”

“He’s not coming,” Jack tells the woman.

Ruth leads me to her vehicle while Jack quickly explains to the woman everything that happened at the cabin. As she wails loudly and starts muttering in Spanish, Jack joins us. He gets behind the wheel and drives, while Ruth sits beside me in the back seat.

I lean numbly against her as she wraps an arm around me. I’ve lost all steam now. I’m shaking and numb, and I feel broken inside.

Chris.

He risked his life to save me. After everything that’s happened, I don’t deserve him.

“I can’t lose him,” I murmur. “I only just got him.”

Ruth tightens her hold on me. “I know, sweetie. I know.”

I hear Jack on the radio as he tries to reach Killian, but he has no luck. He glances back at us. “There’s probably interference from the helicopter.”

We drive the rest of the way to the hospital in silence.

There’s not much to say. I don’t know what Chris’s condition is.

It might already be too late.

I told him I was sorry and that I loved him. But the one thing I didn’t get to do was say goodbye.

* * *

When we near the hospital, Jack gets a phone call from Killian. After listening for a moment, he puts the call on speakerphone so Ruth and I can hear, too.

“He’s in surgery now,” Killian says. “He’s stable at least. Jennie, how are you holding up?”

“I’m okay,” I say absently. I really don’t care about myself or how I’m doing. All I care about is Chris. I can’t stop thinking about how he risked his life for me. He intentionally put himself in harm’s way to distract David so Officer Stephens could take a shot.

When we arrive at the hospital, we make our way to the surgery waiting room, where Killian and Micah are. Soon the others arrive—Maya, Travis, Hannah, Owen, and John. The deputies come as well.

We sit for what seems like hours before a nurse comes out to give an update on Chris’s status.

“He’s out of surgery now and in Recovery,” she says. “Is someone here his next of kin?”

Everyone looks at me. “I am! I’m his fiancée.” Technically, it’s a lie, but I don’t feel one bit guilty for saying it. If I have my way, Iwillbe his fiancée.

She takes down my name. “We’ll come get you as soon as he’s moved to a room.”

Sometime later, the same nurse returns with an update. She says the surgery went well, and he’s stable.

Upon hearing those words, I burst into tears.