Page 62 of Escape You

“We’ll find him.”

I understood Vic was only following proper procedure by not careening toward Tyler, but this slow pace was killing me. He finally turned his headlights on to scan the empty parking lot, which was a mishmash of broken cement, mud, and patches of overgrown grass. We circled the front side of the store. After two rounds, Vic headed to the back of the building. This time, I didn’t wait for him. When he slowed down, I opened the door and climbed out of the car.

“Jesus, Mia,” he called after me. I didn’t care. I needed to see for myself.

The full moon cast a soft light over the deserted area. Those guys had picked the perfect spot to leave someone behind, possibly bleeding to death. Images of Tyler’s bloody face swirled in my mind. I shoved them away as I wiped tears from my cheeks. The only reason Rossi would have to go after Tyler would be if he found out Tyler wasn’t his grandson Chase. How did he find out? Who else knew about Tyler?

Vic put the car in reverse and hit the high beams. From behind the steering wheel, he met my gaze. In this lighting, his complexion looked pale, ghostlike. Was this an optical illusion, or was he feeling guilty for turning Tyler in? I didn’t have time for him. Tyler needed me. Vic furrowed his brows, shaking his head as if he could guess my thoughts. When he raised his hand, he pointed to the opposite end.

Tyler’s body lay facing down near his bike. Had he tried to leave on his own? He was still alive. I rushed to him and dropped to my knees before pushing his shoulder to turn him on his side. “Help me,” I shouted over my shoulder.

Vic left the lights on and joined me in two beats. “How bad is it?”

“I’m not sure. There’s blood everywhere, but I don’t see where it’s coming from.” I shoved the jacket off Tyler’s shoulder. He winced with a loud moan. His voice brought tears to my eyes. Jesus, this was why relationships were a terrible idea in my line of work. How could I get anything done while this fear of seeing Tyler die lived in my heart? “I think it’s his shoulder.”

Vic fished his phone out of his pocket and flashed a light at Tyler’s arm while I pulled on his T-shirt to get a good look at the injury. “I can’t see an entry point.” Vic and I had seen enough gunshot wounds to know what we were looking for. The bullet missed him. Or at least, it missed his shoulder. How many rounds had Rossi’s guys unloaded on Tyler?

“We need to take him to the hospital. We can’t help him here. I’ll call Pam.” I lay Tyler’s limp head back on the mud and took my phone out.

“No one can know where he is. Tell her.”

“I will, but she knows.”

“Good. I’ll call Dom. Tyler’s brother needs to get him away from Jersey. It’s too dangerous for him now.”

Sooner or later, Tyler and I had to go our separate ways. As much as it pained me to see him go, it was for the best. Our girl’s life depended on Tyler staying alive and away from everything that was Jersey.

“Yeah, tell him Tyler needs to get out of here tonight. For whatever reason, Rossi didn’t finish him off tonight. We can’t push our luck and hang around to see what Rossi will do next.”

Vic nodded and placed his mobile to his ear. “Dom, Vic. Tyler’s in trouble. He needs a ride tonight.” He paused for a breath. “Yeah, Jersey. Call me when you get here.” He hung up.

Dom spent many years with Uncle Mickey’s crew. He knew what was at stake. He knew that if Vic called, it was because Tyler’s life was in danger. “Let’s go.”

Vic moved the Escalade closer so we were facing the trunk. He walked around and hooked his arms under Tyler’s shoulder while I grabbed the knees. We got him in the back, and I climbed in with him to make him as comfortable as possible. On the ride to the hospital, Tyler’s lucidity came in and out.

“No, not you,” he repeated over and over.

“Tyler, it’s okay. We’re getting you help. You’ll be all right. Your brother and Dom are on the way too.”

“No” was all he could say.

I wanted to ask him what had happened with Rossi’s men, but he was in no condition to answer questions. He’d lost too much blood. It was stupid to move him in this condition, but we couldn’t leave him there or wait for the ambulance to show up. This was his only shot at getting out of this in one piece.

At the hospital, we followed protocol the way we’d done with Manny when he got hurt. Vic drove to the truck delivery entrance, where Pam and an intern she trusted waited with a rolling bed. The intern and Vic quickly moved Tyler and wheeled him inside.

“We’ll have to take him to Manny’s room. I have everything I need there to patch him up. Is there anything I need to know?” She glanced over her shoulder without missing a step.

“His shoulder is hurt, but I couldn’t tell if that was the source of all the blood. His shirt is soaked. I don’t know.”

“Okay.” She nodded at me, using her soothing doctor voice. “We’ll take it from here.”

When we reached Manny’s room in the maternity ward, both brothers were hovering in the hallway. Tom sprang into action when he spotted us. “Shit, what happened?”

“New York faction. We’re sure.” I made to go inside.

“Go get some cafeteria coffee.” Pam blocked me. “I’ll come get you when I’m ready.” She closed the door, leaving me there with my heart up in my throat.

I swallowed my tears and turned to my guys. I couldn’t tell them the truth, not yet. “No questions right now. I’ll explain everything when Pam is done.”

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