Page 195 of Bodyguard By Night

I didn’t want to ever let go, but I knew she would be safe with them.

There was a flurry of activity. Cops and paramedics came in. I tried to wave the paramedic away. “Go to her. To Chaos.”

“Sir, that’s okay. We’re taking care of her.”

“Not that piece of shit over there. Let him bleed.” I held my side. “Fuck.”

“Can I please see?” the paramedic said. His face was affable and annoyingly cheerful. “Real quick.”

I groaned. Now that the adrenaline was slipping away, I felt every bit of pain in my side.

The paramedic was a hulking man, but he gently lifted my shirt. “Well, that’s gonna hurt.”

“Ya think?” I glanced at the tag on his uniform. “Thanks, Ben.”

“No problem. I can take you in if you want. Nasty Taser burn, maybe a bruised rib. My chief would say bring you in.”

“Not in this life.”

“Kinda figured.” Ben grinned. “Marine?”

“Army,” I said with only a small groan.

He lubed up a large square piece of gauze. “I put pain gel on this. Should help a little.”

I hissed as he pressed it on and sighed at the pain medication seeping into my burn. “Thanks. Where’s Willow?”

“Arguing with my partner over there. Something about a wedding.”

“Her sister is getting married tomorrow.”

“You guys sure know how to party.”

I laughed even though it hurt.

Ben tossed some stuff back in his kit and snapped it closed. “She’ll be fine. Not sure about that guy.”

The cops lifted the man. Now that there wasn’t a red haze over my vision, he looked small and pathetic.

Even after all the chaos and pain he’d caused. Not good chaos like my girl. I needed her.

I tried to struggle to my feet and Ben helped me up.

“Sure you’re good?”

“Yeah, man. Thanks.”

Clay rushed over, passing Ben who was heading back to where his partner was. “Shouldn’t you be going in the ambulance?”

“I’ve been Tased before. I’ll live. Just another scar to add to the collection.”

Clay steadied me. “You certain about that?”

“I’m going to go check on Chaos.”

“She’s with Rachel. They’re fine.”

I limped over, determined to go under my own steam. Rachel was on one side of Chaos and my sister on the other.

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