Page 78 of Sully

I got down on the floor well as Sully slipped into the backseat, moving flat on the seat.

Valen crawled back across the front seat, his phone pinned to his ear as he barked out a quick explanation of what happened.

“Wait! Courtney!” I said, panic gripping my chest again.

“Okay. I’ll go in and stay with her,” Valen offered. “Until reinforcements get here. Bonnie, climb up here and drive back to the clubhouse.”

“What? No. I need to—“

“Baby, focus for me,” Sully said. “You got this. You can do it.”

“Okay. Alright,” I said, panting for breath. My vision was a little swimmy, but if I just… took a few deep breaths, I could do it. I could drive the SUV back to the clubhouse.

With my bleeding… sort of boyfriend in the backseat.

I climbed up from the floor well as Valen drove closer to the doors.

Through them, I could see Courtney ducked down behind the front desk, eyes wide.

I fumbled for my phone as Valen climbed over the seats again, heading toward the passenger side door.

I could see when the phone inside the shop rang, making Courtney jump.

But her hand flew up, reaching blindly for it.

“Courtney, let this guy in,” I said as soon as I saw her put the receiver to her ear. “He can keep you safe.”

“What the fuck is going on, Bonnie?” Courtney asked, her voice tight, but she was crawling from behind the desk to unlock the door.

“I will explain… later, okay? I have to get Sully to the doctor,” I added, adjusting the seat so I could reach the pedal. As soon as I could, I threw the car into reverse and actually peeled out of the lot.

I’d always been a cautious driver.

Fine.

An overly cautious one.

Someone who triple-checked before they pulled out into traffic.

I braked on yellow.

I counted to five at stop signs.

But the tires literally squealed as I flew out of the lot. A car laid on its horn, but I was too busy trying to concentrate on breathing so my vision didn’t go all hazy with my panic as I drove.

It was just all of two minutes away.

It was going to be okay.

“You’re really fucking hot right now,” Sully said, leaning between the seats.

“What are you doing? Sit back! You’re bleeding.”

“That’s it,” he said, and I couldhearthe smile on his face. “Boss me around, baby. I might be into that.”

“Stop,” I said, but a strange, hysterical little laugh escaped me. “Put pressure on your wound,” I demanded.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said, leaning backward.

---