“You’ll survive this,” Mallory said.
I prayed like a priest she was right.
“Don’t leave me.” Jade’s voice was garbled.
Tears were on the precipice of falling out of my eyes.
I hated to leave her, but I had to find help. “Keep a good pressure on her wound,” I said to Mallory.
I kissed Jade again, hoping to assure her I would be back, or maybe to calm my own nerves. “You’re going to make it.” I vaulted up. My heart was in my throat, and I didn’t feel like my blood was moving through my veins.
Move your fucking legs, man.
I dashed to one of the bar exits. They weren’t as crowded as the main entrance, and I might have a clear path once I was outside to find someone. I kept on high alert, looking for any sign of the gunman.
“Anyone in here a nurse or doctor?” I asked, pushing through the crowd, not caring that I was plowing people out of the way. “My girl has been shot.”
As if I’d spoken magical words, a swath opened up as people shook their heads.
One gal gave me a sad look and started to help me push deeper through the throng.
I couldn’t even believe I’d only been out of the joint for two days. I was already falling into the criminal world, and I was taking Jade with me.
“We need medical help,” the young brunette shouted.
The bottleneck finally opened up more at the door. I bolted out and into a small parking lot with only four cars. I ran for Jade’s life onto the side street and rounded the building when someone grabbed me from behind.
“Denim Hart, remember me?” the man said.
I whirled around and stumbled, relief taking over my body. “Lou. Where’s Duke? I need help.” The short, squat dude worked for my brother.
“Take him,” Lou ordered.
I didn’t have time to react before someone threw a bag over my head. I fought the man, trying to squirm out of his hold, but it was hard since I couldn’t see a fucking thing. Rough hands shoved me into a car. I fell flat on my face and could tell I was in a tight back seat.
“Get up,” a voice I didn’t recognize said.
“Hurry up,” Lou called out. “Cops are on the way.”
I am going to fucking kill Duke.
I pushed at my captor. “I need to get help for my girl.”
“Your girl is dead,” the dude said.
I headbutted him. “You’re fucking dead.”
He let out a savage laugh. “I doubt it. You’ll be dead before you can say boo.”
I fumbled to get the bag off my head until my captor shoved a gun into my side.
“Make another move, and I’ll put a bullet in you like we did your girl.”
My breathing became more rapid. My insides were on fire. And my heart splintered into a million fucking pieces. I would never get the chance to tell Jade how sorry I was for everything or to tell her how much I still loved her. Suddenly, the hate and revenge Hector had possessed for the asshole who killed Tanya were running through my veins.
“Lou,” I called. “What’s going on?”
The guy jamming the gun into me laughed again. “Lou can’t help you.”
