Page 141 of Betrayed in the Dark
One, a bullet from Alex’s gun.
The other, from Cressida’s.
My eyes dart to Madeleine, who clutches her shoulder, blood exuding between her fingers as Cressida’s body drops to the floor with a loud thud.
I run to Madeleine, dropping to my knees as I tear off the bottom half of my shirt and use it to wrap around her shoulder as a tourniquet. She groans out in agony as I tighten it.
“Eli,” she sobs, reaching her trembling hands for me. “It hurts so much.”
As someone who’s been shot at least a handful of times, I know firsthand the burning pain she’s experiencing.
And I wish there was a way I could carry it for her.
“I’m sorry, Princess.” I scoop her up into my arms, cradling her to my chest. “I’m so fucking sorry, but you’re going to be okay. I promise. I’m getting you out of here. I’m taking you home.”
“Hurry,” she says faintly, her face paling.
Leo looks down at her, fear coating his irises. “Alex and I will take care of Cressida. Get Madeleine to the house. Now.”
I turn quickly, not waiting for further instructions.
“I need you to stay awake, love. Can you do that for me?”
She nods, but her eyes begin to flutter closed. From the red coating her pale skin, I know she’s losing way too much damn blood.
“Madeleine!” I shout with force.
Her eyelids pop open, but only for a second.
“Fuck!”
“Dr. Rose, have everything ready for a gunshot wound to the shoulder. Extensive blood loss,” Vin clips into his phone as we race through the woods for my SUV.
I approach the back, and Mauro opens the door so that I can slide her gently across the seat. She whimpers at the impact. “I know, love. I know,” I say softly as I sit beside her, resting her head on my thigh.
Mauro jumps into the driver’s seat while Vin takes the passenger seat. My heart races violently in my chest with each second the drive home takes. Mauro presses down on the gas pedal, accelerating the vehicle as fast as it will go, but it still doesn’t feel fast enough.
Looking in the rearview mirror, I find pure, unfiltered fear in their eyes. Nothing like I’ve ever seen before.
Which only adds to my own alarm.
I stare down at Madeleine, gliding a trembling finger over her soft cheeks, pushing back her loose strands of hair.
I lean forward and press a soft kiss on her forehead. “I won’t lose you, Princess. Not after I just got you back.”
Chapter thirty-one
Madeleine
Arhythmic beeping is the first thing I hear, a strong antiseptic scent is the first thing I smell, and Eli, my husband, is the first thing I see as I force my heavy eyelids to flutter open.
I slowly raise my hand, feeling tension in my left shoulder. Ignoring the pain, I bring my palm to the top of his head, resting on the side of my bed. I run my fingers through his hair, watching as he begins to stir, his eyes blinking a few times.
The moment his eyes are fully open, meeting mine, he becomes an alert soldier, instantly standing, his hand reaching out to cup my cheek. I melt into his strong touch, closing my eyes, savoring the safety I feel in his embrace. He leans down and presses his forehead against mine, intertwining our fingers with his free hand.
There’s a slight tremor in our touch, but I’m not sure if it’s coming from me or him.
“I thought I lost you,” he breathes. He cranes his neck back, his eyes shiny with unshed tears. So many thoughts swirl through his dark orbs.
