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.”