Page 42 of Jackson

“Do it,” I growl, holding a bottle of whiskey in my hand. “Just get it out.”

The bullet is lodged in my upper shoulder, and we can just feel it stuck there. The only way to avoid infection and the hospital is to get it out, but that means Cade has to dig into my flesh with a sharp knife to get deep enough. Then we have to stitch it up. I’ve been stitched up before, it’s not new, but being cut while I’m awake isn’t going to feel good.

“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Serenity whispers, holding onto my hand even though I’ve told her not to. I’ll crush it when he starts cutting, and I don’t want to hurt her.

She refuses to let go.

“Got no other choice, baby,” I murmur. “Do it, Cade.”

Cade hesitates for only a second, then he meets my eyes and nods before taking hold of my shoulder and plunging the knife into my flesh. My roar fills the quiet warehouse, and nobody speaks as I bellow with agony when the searing pain shoots through my body. It’s fucking excruciating when you know it’s coming, and even though I can feel how tightly I’m holding Serenity’s hand, I can’t bring myself to let it go.

“Nearly there,” Cade yells over my roaring. “One more ...”

He twists the knife and then the sound of a bullet bouncing off the floor can be heard amongst my growls and curses. He presses a clean towel over the wound to try and steady the bleeding, giving me a moment to calm down. The pain is out ofthis world, and I’m panting, a fine layer of sweat trickling down my body.

“Hey,” Serenity says, her voice soft, “you’re good, honey. You’re good.”

My jaw is so tight it fucking burns, and I can’t get my body to relax.

“Just finish it,” I manage to grind out.

Spike appears with a first-aid kit, and he hands it to Cade who quickly gets to work stitching the wound, but not before he pours something that fucking burns like acid onto my open flesh.

By the time he’s done, I’m so tense it feels like I might just pass out, but, instead, I force myself to my feet and take the joint Spike hands me, walking outside as I inhale, waiting for the sweet fucking relief.

Serenity follows me, and when she stops beside me, her hand goes out to my chest, and she looks up at me with those sweet eyes, making my heart fucking full. I know she’s scared, and I don’t blame her, I could have died tonight, and now shit is getting very real.

“I’m sorry for what I did, Jackson, I need you to know that.”

“We’re good, baby,” I murmur, inhaling deep, the warm sensation slowly traveling through my veins. “We’re good.”

“I was scared,” she whispers, her voice cracking. “The thought that something could happen to you, because of me ...”

“Look at me,” I growl, taking her chin in my free hand and tipping her head back. “There ain’t a single thing in this world that you could do that I wouldn’t die tryin’ to fix. Even if it was wrong, I’ll always fight for you.”

“That’s just the thing,” she croaks. “I don’t want you to lose your life because of me.”

“I’m right here, I’m standin’ in front of you. I’m good, darlin’.”

I release her, and she steps toward me, pressing her cheek against my chest and wrapping her arms around me. I only have it in me to lift my good arm, so I swap the joint over and use that arm to drape around her, holding her close.

“We’re goin’ to finish this,” I murmur into her hair.

“I know.”

“You gotta trust me.”

“I do.”

Closing my eyes, I stand there in silence with her.

She always knows what I need, even when the world feels like it’s standing still.

Without her, I’d be nothing.

I have to finish this, because I can’t live another fucking second knowing she’s in danger.

Nobody will take her from me.

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