Page 45 of Midnight Rain

His entire right side was coated in it.

“A bullet wound isn’t going to kill you, hon. You’re immortal, remember?”

“I’ll die if don’t have any blood left in my body,” Austin argued.

“Hang on.” Cormac ran to the bathroom, and then it sounded as if he was throwing things around.

Austin slammed his eyes closed, wishing to god he would pass out. At least he wouldn’t have to deal with pain or watch as Cormac rooted around inside his arm to get the bullet out.

The guy returned with his arms loaded, but Austin couldn’t focus enough to see what the stuff was.

“How is he?” Izel asked as he rushed into the room, his hand clasped to Orion’s. “What can I do?”

“I’ve got to get this bullet out.” Cormac dropped everything onto the bed. “I don’t have any hemostats or even tweezers. I need something I can use to get it out. He’s losing too much fucking blood.”

Orion crawled on the bed and knelt there, holding the hand on Austin’s good arm.

Beckett flew into the room and tossed a first aid kit at Cormac. “See if you can use anything in there.”

The room spun as Austin’s mouth became bone-dry. His heart was beating like crazy as he glanced at everyone. It had to have Jaycee who’d done this. Who else would have shot at him?

“I’m going on the hunt,” Beckett said. “I already called Duncan. He’s racing back here. Keep the mates in this room.” His head snapped sideways. “I hear a car. That can’t be Duncan.” Beckett went to the window and looked out, which Austin thought was insane since there was a shooter.

Beckett cursed.

“What?” Santee asked, tears in his voice.

“It’s Hayden. I have to get downstairs.” Beckett took off, hauling ass from the room.

Austin closed his eyes. When his arm was probed, he screamed and flailed around. Someone held him down. Austin looked and saw it was Izel.

“Go help them find that son of a bitch,” Cormac snarled at Izel. “I can handle this. I want Jaycee’s head at my feet.”

Izel jumped off the bed and rushed from the room as Austin gasped for breath, sweat matting his hair to his scalp.

“I’m going to use my claw to try and get it out,” Cormac said. “I need to stop the bleeding.”

“Stop fucking telling me what you’re going to do and just do it!”

Uncontrollable shakes racked Austin. Orion tried to hold him down, but the guy didn’t have the muscles. The guy jerked around as hard as Austin was.

When Cormac dug his claw into Austin’s arm, the room tilted sideways seconds before he passed out.

Chapter Thirteen

As soon as Cormac located the bullet and wedged it free, the wound instantly began to close, the tissue knitting itself together. Even though he knew his mate wouldn’t die, that didn’t stop Cormac from going insane with worry. Austin had lost a lot of blood, and Cormac’s only goal was to stop the bleeding.

“Is he going to be okay?” There were tears in Orion’s eyes.

“His body has to replace what he’s lost, so he’s going to be asleep for a while, but, yeah, he’s going to be okay.” Cormac moved away from the bed, looking down at his blood-soaked hands. Austin’s blood.

Baring his canines, he walked out of the room and stormed downstairs just as Bran rushed past him, climbing the steps two at a time.

“Go to my bedroom!” he shouted at Bran.

“What in the fuck is going on?” Hayden asked. “Beckett came outside and yanked us in the house, saying there was a shooter. Then he took off.” Hayden’s gaze dropped to Cormac’s hand. “Who’s blood is that?”

“Austin’s,” Cormac snarled. “Go upstairs and protect the mates. I’m going after the son of a bitch that did it.”

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