He stood up, every muscle on his bare torso on prominent display as he crossed the room toward me. He dropped back to my side. “Cops’ll probably cuff me, babe,” he informed me quietly. “I don’t want you to be worried. They’re gonna storm in here, see blood and a bunch of bikers. They’ll cuff first and ask questions later. I’d do the same if I was them. We’ll get it sorted.”
I bit my lip and nodded.
His gaze turned to my wound. “Bleeding’s slowing,” he murmured darkly.
“Are the kids okay?” I asked worriedly. “Is Mason okay? The car wrecked…. I was so scared,” I rasped.
His expression turned soft as he stroked a hand over my head. “Yeah, babe. Kids are fine. They’re at home with nearly every woman of the club doting on them.”
I smiled despite the circumstances. That sounded about right.
“They need you, though. Gonna get you back to them.” He looked me in the eye, his hand continuing its journey over my hair. “You make us whole, Jill. You make me whole. Christ, if I ever lost you….” His voice trailed off on a rasp. “Love you, baby.”
“I love you too, honey,” I murmured as the sound of sirens wailing outside and doors slamming filled the room.
“Brace, babe,” Cal ordered gently.
It was a good thing I listened and did exactly that. Seconds later, the room erupted in chaos.
Chapter 28
The police entered the house with guns drawn, hollering for everyone to put their hands on their heads. Cal remained by my side, complying with their orders with calm, steady movements. Axel and Tag did the same.
The paramedics made their way inside once the police had the room secured. One of them dropped to my side as a police officer stood over us, nodding in recognition at Cal.
Cal dropped his arms and offered a chin lift in return. “Harris.”
I knew the club had a lot of free rein with the local Hawthorne PD. The Knights kept their less-than-lawful business dealings quiet and the police stayed out of their way. I was curious to see how that understanding extended beyond Hawthorne.
“Glad to answer any questions you and the team have, but I need my woman seen to,” Cal stated, eyeing the officer steadily.
The officer nodded.
The paramedic began to do a preliminary once-over. “The bullet was a clean through and through. Blood loss has slowed and is clotting normally,” I told him. “I’m a nurse at Hawthorne Medical,” I explained when he looked at me questioningly.
He nodded. “All right, let’s get you to the hospital.” He began to guide me onto the stretcher.
“Stop. I’ll do it,” Cal barked. “Only arms she’s in are mine,” he added gruffly.
My man was in full alpha mode. With expert tenderness, he lifted me onto the stretcher.
The paramedics watched us with avid curiosity.
“This is my….” I realized I’d never had to introduce Cal before. Boyfriend felt completely inadequate.
“Man,” Cal clipped. “I’m her man.” He looked down at me his eyes dark with possession.
I reached out, grasping his hand, squeezing it once. “My man,” I murmured, knowing he needed the words from me.
His expression softened some at that.
My gaze swept over to where Janelle and Brandon still sat being questioned by the detective that had come on scene. “What’s going to happen?” I asked as exhaustion threatened to consume me. My entire body felt weak. “Where—”
“Babe.” Cal interrupted what could have been a ramble, since I was out of it. “I’ll take care of this. You don’t need to be bleedin’ and worrying yourself at the same time.”
I nodded. I trusted him to do just that.
The paramedics began to guide my stretcher out of the house. Fear sliced through me at being parted from him. It’d been a hell of a night. “Cal.” I gulped.