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“Do you know where she is?” Her head shakes back and forth, and tears start to stream down her cheeks. “That’s okay. You want to come out here? We’ll help you find her.” As much as I’d love to open the door and pick her up swiftly, there are too many variables. I’d like to say no one would leave what I’m assuming is a toddler home alone, but you never know. What I’m more worried about is someone coaxing her to open the door and setting a trap. I watch as she plops her thumb in her mouth, nods, and she takes a step closer to me.
“Wild.” Warwick has a warning tone in his voice over the comm, and I know I’ve got seconds to spare before shit goes further south than it already has. I hear it before I see it. I make a split decision hoping I’m not injuring the officer but knowing there’s no way I won’t protect this little girl.
“I hear it. Come on, sweetheart, we’ll find your momma.” I push the door open a few extra inches until my hands wrap around her tiny body, pulling her into my chest, and barely clear out before the sound of guns cocking overwhelm the need to get the fuck out of the way. The little girl lets out a loud scream. My hand cups the back of her head, pulling her into my chest wishing like hell there were more protection surrounding us.
“Go, go, go!” Landry bellows through the comm. The second my back is turned to the door, I double-time my pace, running while having a gun strapped to my shoulder and a kid in my arms. The only hope we have is the shields the rest of the team has surrounding the house. I’m nearing where we’ve got our vehicles parked when a bullet whirs past me. I zig then zag in my pursuit to get us out of the fucking line of fire. The next gunshot, I’m not so lucky. I feel the burn, heat, and pain. Through it all, I don’t stutter in my steps. I push on.
“It’s okay. You’re okay.” I keep my voice as calm as possible. Her screams can be heard over the fight going on behind us. My feet eat up the pavement, trying to move in different ways to avoid another hit.
“Get down!” Taylor screams in my ear. I don’t know if he’s talking to the rest of the crew or me. It doesn’t matter. I duck, dipping and weaving like a bobber in the water when a fish is caught on your hook. The vehicle is in reach. I turn the corner, and that’s when I’m hit again. This time, my knees buckle from the impact of being shot.
“Motherfucker,” I mutter, somehow managing to drop, tuck, and roll in order to take the brunt of the fall while keeping the little girl secured in my arms. Taylor or one of the other agents grabs me by my arms, pulling me along the concrete. Unfortunately, it’s the same damn area where I got shot. There’s no amount of breathing through the pain. The adrenaline from the day decides to drain from me, because the last thing I remember is feeling someone taking the toddler out of my arms and me holding the fuck on.
Chapter 20
Delilah
“Where is he?” I come flying through the automatic doors of the emergency room, running right toward Asher to ask my question. I received a call less than ten minutes ago from Fletch’s older brother, telling me to get to the hospital. An ambulance was enroute with the man I love. I didn’t bother changing, still in my work clothes, forgoing putting on a bra, and instead grabbing my zip-up hoodie, sliding my feet in a pair of leather clog shoes before running out the door. Literally. I’m not even sure how I drove, if I obeyed the speed limit signs or if my car is parked straight. All I cared about was getting to Fletch.
“In an emergency room being worked on. We don’t know much. Waiting for your dad to come back and give us an update,” Beau says. Madelyn moves closer to Asher, comforting him. God, what I wouldn’t give to have another moment with Fletch before we parted ways hours upon hours ago. I should have known today would be dangerous. I’d never stand in his way from doing a job he loves. What I would have done is kiss him one more time, hug him one more time, and tell him I love him one more time.
“My dad?” I close my eyes, stopping in my tracks of running to the reception area. Of course, Dad was with his men. He’d never sit back and let the younger guys do this on their own.
“He’s okay. Everyone else is, too. Fletch was the only officer down. Not sure on what all is involved. We were told to wait here,” Asher states. I can see the toll it’s taking on him and Beau to hold back and not bang down doors. The similar can be said for myself, except there’s something I can do about it.
“I’m calling my dad. This is bullshit.” I whip my phone out of my jacket pocket, unlock the device, and go through my recent calls until I land on Dad. I press his name and bring the phone to my ear.
“Kind of busy right now, Delilah,” Dad answers after the first ring.
“Well, get un busy and come update Fletcher’s family and bring me to the man I love,” I blurt out. The whole emergency room is listening in, I’m sure. Who fucking cares? My only concern is lying in a hospital bed right now, and I have no idea if he’s dying or not.
“Son of a—” Dad says. “Fletch, you good with Delilah coming back here?” I hear him ask. He doesn’t sound surprised or upset in the least.
“Give me the phone,” Fletch says with a groan. I can hear the rustle of paper beneath him. I cock my hip out, tapping my foot on the linoleum floor, and slowly lose my patience. The need to scream is hitting me hard right now. Maybe I should hit my phone on something hard until I get answers as well.
“Fletcher, please tell me you’re okay, or I’m going to jump over the receptionist desk, hit the button, and come back there to find you myself.” I’m being a bit extra, but I couldn’t give two fucks.
“Delilah, I’m okay. Hell of a way to spill the beans to your dad, sweetheart.” His voice deep and raspy. God, the way I love to hear him talk.
“Oops,” I reply.
“Walk to the receptionist, and grab the family, too. I’d rather talk about this in one fell swoop, then he can tell the masses. I’ll call my bud up in Wyoming, and maybe you can break me out of this place sooner rather than later.” His voice is strong and steady, calming the nerves swirling throughout my nervous system.
“Alright, hold, please.” I move my phone away from my cheek. “Asher, Mads, Beau we’re being summoned. The good news is he’s talking without exertion. The bad news is he’s making us wait until we’re all back there to tell us everything.” They walk with me toward the reception desk, where I’m sure we’ll have to hand over identification, which I’m lacking. Apparently, when I rolled in on two wheels, the only thing I grabbed were my keys and phone. I don’t even know if my purse is in my car or still on the couch in the living room.
“Take your time, sweetheart. I’m not going anywhere.” His voice helps calm my nerves while I overanalyze everything and anything. Like how I’m usually Delilah or woman. Twice now he’s used the sentiment sweetheart, and twice it’s given me a sense of security.
“We’re here,” I tell him once all three of us are where he told us to go.
“Hand the phone to Claire. I’ll do the rest.” Fletch is always in control even from a hospital bed.
“Hi, Claire, Fletcher Wild would like to talk to you.” I hold the phone out to her. My father probably could have been out here in the same amount of time. That’s not how Fletch works. Everyone knows he’s a man who takes care of business in every way possible. I watch and listen to the one-sided conversation. She’s multi-tasking while saying yes, clicking on a few things with her mouse while glancing from me to her computer.
“Yes, sir, I’ll walk them back now. Badges are already printed. You’re welcome.” Claire hands me my phone back. Seeing the screen is void of the call, I take it from her and pocket it in my jacket. “Here you go. These are your temporary badges for you to go back and see him. We’re only supposed to let in two at a time, but we’re bending the rules for one of our own.” She has four badges, one on each finger, for us to place on our clothes.
“Thank you. I appreciate everything you’ve done for Fletch and us,” I tell her as I clip the badge on my jacket.
“You’re welcome. I’ll buzz you through. Chief Taylor will be waiting for you on the other side.” At least Dad isn’t injured, too. I’m not sure how I’d be able to handle two of the men who mean the most to me being hurt. The four of us walk together again. I’m trying to keep my pace slow and steady when what I’d really like to do is run. I’ve never been in this situation before. Dad, for the most part, never had an incident like this, at least none that I was aware of. Sure, he’d been shot at, but his bulletproof vest protected him. He’d come home after a medic would look over him, take a couple of days off, show off the bruise, and pretend like everything was okay.
