Page 95 of Pulse

She shook her head. “No. But Spec is. He was shot in the leg, and he’s bleeding a lot.” A bullet pinged against the bike, and she flinched. “And we’re not exactly safe here.”

Pulse ran his hand through his hair. “Can you walk, brother?”

“Of course, I can fucking walk.”

Beneath him, a large pool of blood continued to spread. He’d paled to an ashy gray color that had Talia shaking her head at Pulse. No way could this macho idiot walk. He’d probably pass out the second he tried to stand.

“Here’s what we’re gonna do. I’m gonna stand and draw their attention. Talia, you book it the fuck over here behind this transformer. Then I’ll scramble over to Spec and try to drag him back here.”

What?

“No. No way,” she said, shaking her head. “You’re not standing and drawing their fire. I’ll help you drag him over there. He’s freakin’ heavy,” she yelled. “It’ll be easier with both of us.”

She glanced toward the car, where Liv peered around the side and watched with wide, terrified eyes. Long, red blood trails ran down her face, but she still kept the cardigan pressed to her head.

“Fuck that,” Pulse yelled across the lot. “No way in hell.”

Talia ground her teeth and scowled at him. “Do not fight me on this, Pulse. Either I help you or stand up and draw their attention so you can crawl over here and get him.”

She’d do it too. No way would she allow him to potentially sacrifice himself for her. Did he think she’d ever be able to look herself in the mirror if he took a bullet while she hid like a coward?

“Goddamn stubborn woman,” he grumbled while Spec laughed.

“You got a serious set of balls on you, counselor. Either that or you’re fucking crazy.”

“Yeah, well, I’m trying to save your ass even though you pulled a gun on me the other day, so it’s probably the crazy option.”

Spec snorted.

She kept her attention locked on Pulse, who held up three fingers, then two, then one. He sprang out from behind the transformer like an Olympian runner, but instead of sprinting toward them, he scrambled on all fours. Bullets immediately hit the ground around him, but he made the five-second trip unscathed.

She wanted to kiss him and hold him until she was convinced they were both completely unharmed. A single Harley didn’t provide much protection for three grown-ass adults during a bullet storm.

“Fuck, you’re bleeding like a stuck pig,” Pulse said, frowning at Spec.

“Thanks for noticing.”

“Okay, Tal, hook your arm under his like this.” Pulse demonstrated the hold. “Then we can crawl back behind the transformer. At least we’ll have better coverage there. Spec, you use your good leg to help push along. Ready?”

Spec’s eyes had dulled from pain and blood loss, but he shook his head. “Fuck this. Get your woman to safety. Forget me. I don’t deserve your help.”

The critical level of adrenaline coursing through her system wasn’t enough to stop the pang in her heart.

“Fuck off,” Pulse growled. “Besides, I’m doing this for Liv. I’m afraid she’ll stab me to death with one of those spikes she calls shoes.”

Spec’s weak laugh had Pulse cursing. “Ready?” he asked, staring at Talia with determination.

Was she ready to drag a giant man across fifteen feet of target practice?

Hell no.

“I’m ready.”

“All right, baby, let’s go.”

She heaved with all her strength while crawling and trying to ignore the rough concrete digging into her abraded knees and palms. Thankfully, Spec’s uninjured leg was on her side. The added boost of his assistance allowed her to keep up with Pulse as they scrambled the fifteen feet that felt more like a mile.

Spec ground his teeth, muffling his scream. His leg had to be in agony. Neither she nor Pulse tried to be gentle. All they cared about was getting back to safety.

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