Page 133 of Nevada

The last words I hear are his voice, calling my name.

Then everything goes black.

NEVADA

I stare at my woman, unable to take any of this in. She took a bullet for me. She fucking took a bullet.

“Star!” I hold her in my arms. “Baby…” Panic sets in and I can still hear that stupid bitch groaning from where Star managed to hit her in the side of the neck with the knife.

I grab my phone and hit Riot’s number. “Get help,” I say frantically when he answers. “Star’s been shot. We’re in my workshop.”

“What the fuck, bro?”

“Louise. She just pulled a gun on me.”

“Be there in five.” He hangs up.

It doesn’t take long before I hear the sirens.

I shake Star. “Baby, wake up.”

For one long, painful moment I think she’s gone, then she stirs. “Asher?”

I hold my hands over her shoulder to stop the bleeding. “Yeah, baby?”

“I got her good, right?”

I shake my head. I don’t give a fuck if Louise is bleeding to death right now on the floor. I hope she’s suffering.

“Yeah, my angel.”

“It’s just a scratch.”

I press my lips to hers. “Don’t try and talk.”

“I’m not dead. Wait, I’m not dead, right?”

“No, you’re not dead. Just preserve your energy.”

She closes her eyes and I shake her awake again. “Gotta stay with me.”

“I love you. I want your children someday.”

I frown. “You do?”

“Shit. Am I hallucinating?”

“Maybe, but it’s a nice vision. Little version of me runnin’ around.”

“You?” She coughs. “What about me?”

“Some would argue I’m prettier.”

“When a man thinks he’s prettier than you, you gotta put up or shut up.”

I snort. “Stop makin’ me laugh, this is serious.”

“I’m fine, just dizzy.”

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