“I’m bleeding,” I whimpered. I breathed in through my nose. The scent of iron hit my nostrils, and I wanted to gag. I hated the smell of blood.
“I know, honey. Promise you, they’re working on getting you out of there.” I wanted to cling to the certainty in his voice.
“Please don’t let me die in here,” I found myself asking him softly. So softly I wasn’t sure I’d said it out loud, much less think he heard me.
It was unfair and totally inappropriate to put that on someone. Maybe I’d bumped my head harder than I’d thoughtbecause I didn’t care. I needed to hear that I’d get out. That I wouldn’t get fried up like a fly in a bug zapper.
“I won’t let that happen, princess. You have my word.” I opened my mouth and then shut it. “What did your skeezy boss do, Vi?” he changed the subject, and I appreciated him for it.
“He said if I didn’t meet him in his office after work, I’d be fired.”
“After work?” I wasn’t sure if I imagined it, but I could have sworn he growled.
“Yeah… you probably get the idea of the kind of dictation he wanted me to take. So, I left.” My eyes fluttered shut.
The world felt like it was starting to spin. Like I was in one of those old merry-go-rounds you could still find in old parks around the city.
“I left early and probably lost my job.”
“Babe, open your eyes for me.”
“Vi.”
“What?”
“Vi, that’s my name.”
“I know, baby, you told me. That’s Spanish, right? That’s what you were telling me?”
“Hmm,” I grunted.
“Can you speak it?” His deep voice was calming. Like a balm that went past my skin, deep into my bones and tossed carefully over my soul.
“Fluently,” I whispered, opening my eyes again. I rested my head against the seat. His eyes were laser-focused on mine. “What’s your name? I mean your full name?”
“Logan. Logan Monroe.”
“That’s a really good name,” I said softly. My eyes closed again.
“Vi? Baby, I need you to open those pretty eyes for me.”
“Bet you say that to all the girls bleeding from their head,” I teased, and he coughed away his laughter.
“You making jokes makes me feel better.” I opened my eyes to look at him just as a guy in a fireman uniform approached him on his right while a paramedic flanked his left.
They spoke in hushed voices. I knew firsthand hushed tones were never a good sign. It almost felt like history repeating itself. But this time, I was the one inside the car. I wasn’t going to go there, even though I could feel it in my bones, whatever they were talking about wasn’t good.
“Vi! Babe, you doing okay?” I opened my mouth, but something sparked, and I jumped and winced. My head was killing me and my eyes felt heavy. The loud noises and sounds started to go quiet.
“Vi…” He stepped forward, and I blinked slowly just as he was forced to step back again thanks to the bright sparks.
I couldn’t seem to keep my eyes open.
That’s when I had the most random thought ever. If there was ever a man, a person for me, I would have wished for him. Officer Hottie looked like he would know how to hold you. Shield you from the world and all of life’s cruel jokes.
Those were the last things I remembered thinking before suddenly, two more men appeared. One in a cop uniform and another in fireman gear. They surrounded Logan. Both shouting at him. Then suddenly, everything started to move in slow motion. But Logan’s attention wasn’t on them. Nope. His deep soulful gaze was on me as sparks flew all around him.
And that was when the world when dark.
