Mia heard herself scream. “No!”
BAM! BAM!BAM!
Meyer fell to the floor and didn’tmove.
Mia struggled to her feet, kicked the pistol out of the bastard’s grasp, and picked it up, tucking it into her waistband before hurrying over toJoaquin.
She pulled him onto his back, the physical act making the pain in her chest unbearable. She knelt down, touched his face. He was pale and cold and shaking from shock and blood loss. His parka and T-shirt were soaked with blood, a trail of red leading from the wide-open front door across the living room and up thestairs.
He looked up at her, pain lining his face. “You’re …safe?”
“Yes. I need to get something to stop thebleeding.”
She dashed into the bathroom, grabbed a handful of washcloths, and ran back to kneel beside him, the pain in her chest making her work for every breath. She tore open his shirt, saw a bullet wound in his upper right abdomen, and pressed a folded washcloth against it, applying as much pressure as she could with onehand.
He grimaced, moaned, his jawtight.
“I’m so sorry, Joaquin. I’m sosorry.”
Worry came over his face. “You’re … hurt. You’re …bleeding.”
Her arm throbbed now, blood dripping out from beneath the sleeve of her parka, staining her hand red. But he was much worse off, blood quickly soaking thewashcloth.
She grabbed another, placed it over the first, and pressed harder. “Don’t worry about me. I’m going to take care ofyou.”
He reached up, cupped her cheek. “I don’t think… itmatters—”
“No! Don’t say that.” She tried to act like she wasn’t scared to death. “You’ll be fine. They’re almost here. Just hangon.”
“You’re …crying.”
Shewas?
“I’ve never … seen you crybefore.”
“I’ve never been afraid that you were fucking dyingbefore!”
His lips quirked in a smile. “You … areincredible.”
“Stay with me, Joaquin.” Tears ran down her cheeks. “Please, stay with me. I love you, Joaquin. I love you. Please don’t leaveme.”
Why hadn’t she told himsooner?
He seemed to fight for every word, his brown eyes looking into hers, his love for her shining through his pain. “Te amo,Mia. I love you,too.”
Then his eyes closedagain.
“No! Joaquin, please.” But Mia was struggling now, every breathpainful.
Darkness coiled around her, tightening its grip on her chest, making herdizzy.
She had to stay conscious, had to stay awake. If she didn’t, she wouldn’t be able to maintain pressure, and he would bleed out here outside herbedroom.
“Stay with me… I love you, Joaquin… Ilove…”
Spots took over her vision, and then there wasnothing.
* * *