Page 100 of Of Grief And Gratitude

Doc looked around, shaking his head at the men in black lying in pools of blood. “The good Lord is the only one who can help them now.”

I pointed at Riona. “She’s the one who needs your help. Don’t worry about everyone else.”

“Let’s see what we have here.” Doc groaned, and his knees popped as he crouched next to Riona, taking her pulse and repeating the check I’d already done.

Impatient, I tried to hurry him along. “Gunshot wound to the upper arm. Possible concussion. She’s got a lump, and her head is bleeding.”

He nodded, then resumed his slow assessment.

Aggravated, I spun and spotted Sean on the other side of the porch, standing above a masked man with his hands zip-tied. I wasn’t going to ask why he’d brought those with him, but I was grateful.

“You good?” I called out, waving.

Sean gave me a thumbs up, keeping his weapon trained on the man, who seemed to writhe in pain. Good. It was the least he deserved. “Golden! Your big brother chartered a private flight. He and my family should be here in a couple of hours.”

I returned the thumbs up in acknowledgment and turned back to the doctor, who was slowly rolling Riona onto her side with Sam’s assistance. He felt the lump I’d found and nodded.

“I think she whacked her head real good. Lost a little blood. If you help me get her into the truck, one of you can ride to the office with me. If she doesn’t wake up, we’ll need to get her to the hospital, but that’s another hour away.”

I leaned down and carefully gathered Riona into my arms, conscious of her injuries. “I’ll go.”

Sam followed and opened the back door. “I’ll take her while you get in.”

Reluctantly, I handed Riona over, trusting O’Connor with the most precious person in my life. He transferred her back into my arms as soon as I slid into the bench seat in the back, settling her against my chest.

Behind him, the doctor leaned over each body, checking their necks for a pulse. He stopped by Sean and spoke with him, looking down at the man’s leg. Then, the good doctor stood and gave the injury a swift kick, making the man cry out in pain and swear up a storm.

“There’s something you should know,” Sam said quietly, drawing my attention.

“What?”

“The man Sean caught. The leader.”

“Yeah?”

“Remember, you’re holding Riona, and you don’t want to do anything that would harm her. Right?”

“Of course, I’m not going to hurt her. Spit it out, Sam.”

“It’s Giuseppe.” Sam kicked the truck’s tire. “Your uncle.”

“The fuck?” I hissed, my muscles tensing. No wonder he’d waited until I was in the truck with Riona. I wanted to march over and shoot my fucking uncle in the face.

“Dante will take care of it,” Sam assured me, gently patting Riona’s thigh. “You take care of our girl. She needs you.”

I nodded, and he reached to close the door.

“Sam.”

He looked back.

“Thanks,” I said. “Thank your asshole brother, too.”

“You’re welcome.”

He closed the door and sauntered away. I looked down at Riona. Sam said she needed me. He had no idea how much more I needed her. I wouldn’t survive without her. I loved her.

Chapter Thirty

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