Page 50 of Fast Fury

The wounds were bad. Hani was losing so much damn blood, and the pressure Kai applied wasn’t helping. But he’d be goddamned if he was just going to sit here and watch his cousin bleed out in front of him.

“Hani,” he said sharply when those deep brown eyes began to glaze over. “Hani, I need you to stay awake, okay? Just look at me and keep breathing nice and slow.” He shoved down the panic at the sight of the blood frothing from his cousin’s nose, mouth and chest, covering the black tribal tattoos that were almost identical to his own. They’d gotten them together when Kai graduated from high school.

Brothers,Hani had said proudly afterward. Forever.

Hani’s fingers were still around Kai’s wrist, but the grip was weakening with every minute. “Kai,” he rasped, then coughed, flailed as he choked on his own blood, the panic on his face ripping Kai’s insides to shreds.

He locked one hand around Hani’s nape, leaned closer until their faces were mere inches apart. “I’m right here, man. Not going anywhere. You’re gonna be fine.” God dammit, where was the fucking ambulance? If it didn’t get here soon, it would be too late.

Hani shuddered and opened his eyes. Tears spilled free, tracking down his cheeks, mixing with the blood in pink rivulets that dripped onto his bloody chest. “N-no,” he wheezed, agony etched into his face.

Kai’s chest compressed. “Yes, you are. Don’t you dare give up on me.”

Hani’s eyes cleared a little at the authoritative tone, then clouded again. “You…not…s-safe,” he gasped.

“The shooter’s gone. It’s all right, I’m keeping an eye out.” Though most of his concentration was on Hani.

He shook his head again, this time with more force, irritation creeping into his expression. “G-go.”

“No.” The word was flat. Final. “Who was she, Hani? The woman who shot you.” She’d said it was for her daughter. What the hell did she mean?

“Dunno…” He clamped his fingers down on Kai’s wrist, squeezed with a strength that had to cost him. “Danger. B-bounty…on you.” He wheezed in a horrible, gurgling breath, shuddered, his body seeming to sag. “Venenos.”

More ice spread through Kai’s gut, Hani’s words confirming his worst fear. Hani was definitely connected with the cartel. And the bounty had been reissued here. “I’m not leaving you, Hani.” Fuck them and their fucking bounty. “Save your strength. You can tell me later.”

The grip on his wrist was weakening now, Hani’s breathing slower. More labored. “S-sorry said…all that.” His eyelids began to droop. He fought to open them, stared at Kai. “P-protect…you…”

A rush of tears burned Kai’s eyes, his throat tightening. It all made sense now. Horrific, terrible sense. “I know.” He squeezed Hani’s nape, tried to somehow force some of his strength into his cousin’s failing body. “Iknow, man.”

Hani’s eyes glazed over, his face going lax. “Don’t…hate,” he mumbled. “Love…you…”

Jesus, no, please…“Love you too, man. Now hold on. Hani, please, hold on for me,” he begged, his voice ragged. “The sirens are coming. Hear them? Ambulance is almost here.”

Hani’s gaze shifted to his once more, clung for a second. “T-take…Tutu. Keep…safe.” Then his eyes went hazy, the lids sliding closed.

Fuck this.No.“Hani.” Kai gave him a little shake.

No response.

“Hani! Goddamn it, you open your eyes andlookat me.”

Nothing. Then Hani crumpled, his body sagging as though someone had unplugged an invisible power supply.

All but choking on the lump in his throat, Kai slid the hand at Hani’s nape to the carotid pulse point beneath the angle of his jaw. Only a slight flicker met his fingertips as the sound of the approaching sirens grew louder in the distance. Then it disappeared altogether.

No!

The denial was loud as a shout in Kai’s head, his entire body rebelling at the evidence in front of him. He grabbed Hani’s shoulders, lowered his upper body to the ground and immediately started chest compressions, determined to keep his cousin’s heart beating.

He worked hard and fast, the muscles in his arms and shoulders burning, sweat beading on his face and chest. He didn’t stop to check for a pulse. Couldn’t, all his focus on the compressions.

The ambulance crew finally arrived. Kai was panting, bent over Hani and still hard at work as he relayed information to the paramedics. One checked for a pulse. Shook his head.

Kai refused to stop, kept going while they got the defibrillator ready. Panting, he eased back only when they had the paddles ready. He held his breath, his entire chest aching as the charge built in the machine.

They shocked him.

Hani’s torso arched and fell. His eyes were still closed, his lips open now, blood continuing to pool around him. Kai’s knees and hands were soaked with it.

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