Page 185 of Finish Line

I let out a blood-curdling scream as someone kicks in the door. From where I’m lying, I can’t see who it is.

A shot splits the air, and Roger falls on me.

My breath whooshes out, and my vision fades around the edges. Multiple people call my name as someone tosses Roger to the side.

Everything goes black.

An annoying beep wakes me. I try to open my eyes to discover what’s making that noise, but they’re so heavy. I open one of them, and a blank, white wall stretches before me. I turn to the left and swear when I find the culprit.

I’m in the hospital.

“Shelby, are you waking up?” a low voice asks.

I try to speak, but my mouth is so dry, so I only make strange sounds.

“Here, baby, take a slow drink.” A straw touches my lips, and I take a couple of sips.

“Nick,” I croak out.

“I’m right here beside you.”

I turn my head, and the people move. Nick lies in a bed beside me.

“Roger?”

“Don’t need to worry about him. Get yourself better,” the voice says.

I fall right off to sleep.

The next time I wake up, Nick’s gone, and Luke sits in a chair beside me with his head on my bed.

I reach out and touch his hair, and his head snaps up. “Gorgeous.”

“Hi.”

“It’s good to see you waking up. You worried us.”

I smack my lips, and Luke reaches for the water.

“Where is everyone?”

“They went home to shower.”

“How long have I been out?” I try to sit, but Luke places a hand on my shoulder.

“The first time? Two days. The last time? Three.”

“Five days? I wasn’t that hurt, was I?”

“You had three stab wounds, but no internal damage. You lost a lot of blood. That’s what worried us.”

“Where’s Nick?”

“He was released yesterday and is now with your dad. Roger sucks at aiming. He missed Nick’s heart, but like you, he lost a lot of blood. He’s got a long recovery. He also has two broken ribs, but he’ll be fine.”

“You’re awake,” Dom says as he and my other guys walk in.

“It’s good to see you up, princess.” Mav wipes tears from his eyes.

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