Page 79 of Trust
Jakob pushed him out of the way and patted Lani down. Where was she shot?
“Man, I don’t think she was shot.”
“Then why is she out cold? She has to be shot.” What the hell would he do without her? They were finally together. He couldn’t lose her.
“Coming through,” someone called out.
“Man, the EMTs are here. They’ll find out what’s wrong with her.”
He didn’t want to let her go. She was so still, and he knew she would drift away if he didn’t keep touching her. Jakob knew it didn’t make much sense.
“Jake, come on. Let them look at my sister.”
He glanced up and noticed that Ben was standing close by. His friend seemed to have aged five years in the last two hours. Using all of his control, he did as Ben had asked.
The EMT and his partner did a quick check. “She was grazed on the shoulder, but…” he felt her head and nodded. “I think she also hit her head. That’s why she’s unconscious.”
“I’m not unconscious. Not anymore.”
Her irritated voice was the sweetest sound Jakob had ever heard.
“Love,” he said, moving closer. The female attendant took a look at Jakob and nodded. “I’m going to deal with the shooter.”
She moved away, and he took her place. Lani was still too still. She kept her eyes closed so Jakob took hold of her hand.
“Ms. Kingston, can you open your eyes?”
“I could. I have a feeling the light will hurt.”
“I need to check for a possible concussion.”
She sighed.
“Love, do it for me,” he said.
With what seemed to be a great deal of effort, Lani opened her eyes. The EMT used a small light. “We’ll need to take you to the hospital to have you checked out. It looks like you could have a concussion, and you will need to have a doctor look at your shoulder.”
Her fingers spasmed around his hand. “I’ll go with you, Lani. Don’t worry.”
Her sigh of relief was quiet but reassuring. “Good.”
Then she closed her eyes. “Tell me when I have to open my eyes again.”
“I think I should be able to go home,” Lani said, ready to scream. It was just after seven that night, and she wanted to sleep in her bed. Or Jakob’s. Just not the hospital bed.
“You need to stay in the hospital.”
“I feel fine. Therefore, I need to go home.”
He looked up from a script he was looking over. He’d had Marta bring it over so he could spend all his time acting like some kind of warden to her.
“Are you telling me you received your medical degree on top of being a lawyer?”
She narrowed her eyes. “No.”
“Oh, good. I was worried you were way out of my league. Now you’re just a little out of it. No worries. I’ll make up for it.”
Then he went back to reading his script. The door swung open to reveal Emily.
