Page 54 of The Mafia's Second Shot

I pressmy hands against the bandages Marco has wrapped around Cooper’s torso, the blood warm and slick beneath my fingers. Cooper groans softly, his eyes fluttering open. They lock onto mine, and for a moment, the chaos around us fades.

“Zoey,” he murmurs, his voice faint. “You’re here.”

“I’m here,” I reply, my voice shaking. “And you’re going to be okay. Just hold on.”

He tries to smile, but it’s weak, his strength fading. “Told... you to stay back.”

“Yeah, well, I’m not great at following orders,” I say, blinking back tears. “So you’re stuck with me.”

Marco looksup as one of the team medics arrives, a wiry man with sharp eyes and steady hands. “We need to move him,” Marco says. “But he’s not stable.”

The medic nods, pulling supplies from his kit. “Let’s stabilize him here first. Then we’ll get him to the safe house.”

I watch, my hands still pressing against Cooper’s wound, as the medic works quickly to slow the bleeding. Cooper winces but doesn’t protest, his gaze locked on me.

“Zoey,” he says softly, his voice barely audible. “Don’t... cry.”

“I’m not crying,” I lie, my tears falling freely now. “You don’t get to lecture me right now.”

He chuckles faintly, the sound more of a breath than a laugh. “Fair enough.”

Once Cooper is stabilizedenough to move, we lift him onto a makeshift stretcher. Marco takes one side, I take the other, and together we carry him toward the waiting SUV. Every step feels like a mile, the weight of his body and the fear in my chest pressing down on me.

“Stay with us, boss,” Marco says as we load Cooper into the back seat. “We’re not done yet.”

The medic climbs in beside Cooper, his hands steady as he checks the bandages. I slide in next to them, my grip on Cooper’s hand tight as the vehicle starts moving.

The rideto the safe house is tense, every bump and turn making Cooper groan in pain. I keep my eyes on him, watching his chestrise and fall, counting each breath as if my focus alone can keep him alive.

“You’re going to be okay,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “We’re almost there.”

His eyes open briefly, his gaze meeting mine. “Don’t let me go,” he says, his voice so faint I can barely hear it.

“I won’t,” I reply, squeezing his hand. “I promise.”

The safe houseis a blur of movement and noise as we arrive. The team rushes Cooper inside, the medic barking orders to anyone within earshot. I follow close behind, my steps unsteady, my heart racing.

Marco places a hand on my shoulder, his expression grim but steady. “He’s in good hands, Zoey. Let them do their job.”

I nod, though the thought of stepping back feels unbearable. “Just save him.”

The medic works quickly,cleaning and dressing the wound, administering fluids to stabilize Cooper. I hover nearby, my hands clenched into fists, my chest tight with fear. Every second feels like an eternity, the weight of what’s happening pressing down on me.

“He’s stable for now,” the medic says finally, his tone clipped. “But he needs a hospital. This is temporary.”

“Then let’s move,” Marco says, already heading for the door. “We’re not losing him here.”

The ambulance rideto the hospital is a blur. I sit beside Cooper, holding his hand tightly as the medic monitors his vitals. His face is pale, his breaths shallow, but he’s still with us. That’s all that matters.

“Hang on,” I whisper, my voice cracking. “You’ve got this.”

Cooper’s eyes open briefly, his gaze unfocused but warm. “Zoey,” he murmurs. “You’re... everything.”

Tears spill down my cheeks, but I manage a smile. “And you’re an idiot for scaring me like this.”

His lips twitch in what might be a smile before his eyes close again, his strength fading.

As the ambulancepulls into the hospital, the medics move quickly, wheeling Cooper inside. I follow them as far as I can, my heart pounding as they push him through the doors to the operating room. A nurse stops me, her expression gentle but firm.

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