Page 45 of Crossing Lines

Paintore its way up my leg every time one of these jokers tried to “help” me place it in the right position for X-rays.

I wanted to kick them all, but as word would have it, if I did, then the Sheriff or a deputy would handcuff my ass to a bed. I was taking that warning to heart. I ain’t got time for that today. The doc had already said the shot was a through and through. Which meant the bullet went straight through. They needed to check the bone to make sure it wasn’t damaged before they’d go to the next thing, which was stitching me up so I could freaking get out of this hospital johnny.

More importantly, I needed them to hurry up so I could go check on Carter. My poor little man was in bad shape. He was so weak, he couldn’t keep his eyes open or stand on his own before he was loaded up into that ambulance. I wasn’t a hundred percent sure what they’d done to him in that barn, other than use him as a punching bag—but I knew one thing for sure, I wanted them both dead. I wouldn’t get that wish, for now. Maybe ever. I wasn’t alone in that assessment. Daddy had lost his marbles at the barn and gone into Rambo-mode. It was scary when he lost it like that. One, because it took a lot for WayneMalone to legit lose his marbles. And two, he was a stickler for the law when it’s warranted.

Today pushed him right over that line and straight into crazy town. The last time that had happened was when he, Gabe, and Robert were attacked in the woods by the crazy tree fuckers. That time had landed three of the men in the hospital before they’d gone to jail. Hopefully, they’d all rot there.

Carter—my heart hurt for him. Daddy was with him, making sure the doctors did all they could to get him better. I kept reminding myself of that. Daddy was with him. He’d be okay. But it didn’t help the raging mama bear within me.

My hands rubbed over my belly as I lay there waiting for the “don’t move” order the tech would call out as she put herself behind the protective wall while the X-ray took. The vest that lay there, covering the baby, keeping him or her safe, felt super heavy right now. It wasn’t a feeling I liked. Being held down, even in this manner, made me nervous.

Plus, this was a waste of time. I was fine, really. The doctors had already checked the baby; he or she was fine. My vitals were good. BP was a little high, but all things considered, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. So I was fine. What’s a little hole in my leg? I’d done worse to myself.

“All right, Ms. Malone, we’re all done. The doctor will let the ER doctor know what we find as soon as the image is looked at. Jen will take you back now.” I nodded. She removed that weighted covering, and I let out a deep breath. With their help, I was able to shift from the X-ray table to the gurney. I bit back a curse as fire shot through my leg, then laid back panting for air and cursing that fucking Kurt for making me shoot myself.

If I’d have shot him in the head—nope, I’d be in jail. I couldn’t do that to Trace or my babies. He wasn’t worth it.

Okay, so yeah, maybe it was a little worse than I was wanting to admit to. Sue me.

On the way to my spot in the ER, I got a glimpse in at Carter. He was slightly elevated, talking to Gabe. The purplish bruises covering his face made me want to punch someone. My poor boy, he was going to be feeling this for weeks. Trace came in and moved to the bedside, concern and a little anger written on his face. I didn’t want to deal with that angry bear just yet. I gave the nurse a glance when she turned to leave the bay.

Trace was poised, ready to bite my head off. That made him a good distraction from my own pain and anger. I punched him in the bicep, hard, and snarled, “Don’t you even yell at me!”

A snort came from the other side of the curtain. Chip was peeking in at us. “Well, I was going to ask if you’re alright, but that answers my question. The FBI has men on both Davenport and Bohlen. Y’all won’t be seeing them for quite a while.”

My lips curled up in another snarl at the mention of those two assholes. I hoped they both rotted under the damn jail. The sting of tears pressed against my eyes; I almost lost the battle to stay dry-eyed.

I closed my eyes, taking in some air—breathing through the sudden surge of pure, unfiltered rage that swamped me. Its closest friend was fear. That one made my stomach flip. A hand pressed against my cheek. I opened my eyes and met the stunning, speedy heartrate inducing eyes of my fiancé. Trace leaned over me, his eyes studying mine.

“It’s over. Everyone is going to be okay. Breathe, let it out.” His words were a soft command. I hadn’t even realized I had been holding my breath. I blinked hard, pushing a few stray tears from my eyes.

“Knock, knock. Can we come in?” My head came up, and I saw my Daddy and the Sheriff at the curtain. I nodded and sat up, wincing when I moved my leg.

“Daddy—”

“No, you don’t need to explain yourself to me. Not this time. I get it. You reacted, as Tracey and I did when we found out what was happening.”

“I’m not questioning why you did it. I am however inclined, as Sheriff, to tell you how dangerous it was for you to get into a situation without a full scope of what you were up against.”

“I know that. It didn’t matter. They had Carter. I was going to get him back.”

“We know, princess, but you put yourself in more danger than you should have.” Daddy gave me an assessing look. “It’s not just you to worry over anymore.”

I had to fight back an eye roll. I didn’t need to be reminded of being pregnant every five minutes. “What’s going to happen to them?” I asked, to get them off the subject of what I’d done.

“The FBI has guards on them right now. Two in each room. They’re both facing a slew of charges which now include kidnapping. They’re going to go away for a long time. You and Trace, along with Chip, will most likely be called in as witnesses to previous charges and, of course, for today’s events. Carter has already talked with me and the FBI. He’ll be brought in for more questioning and then possibly called as a witness.”

“Hasn’t he been through enough? Wait!” I sat up further, pushing Trace’s hands back from stopping me. “Who’s with Carter? Is he okay?”

“Easy, princess, he’s over in the X-ray department. He’s okay. I promise,” Daddy assured me, shifting closer to take my hand. “Don’t hurt yourself moving around like that.”

“Ms. Malone…” The doctor came back in. “Oh, hello. Sheriff, if you don’t mind, I need to speak to Ms. Malone.”

“They’re family, they can hear. Can I go home now?” I was getting—impatient.

“Soon. We’ve examined your X-rays; the bone has no damage. You got very lucky.”

“I shot myself. I knew what I was doing.”

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