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“No.” She shakes her head. “Lucie’s an amazing markswoman. The bullet hit her shoulder. But there was a lot more blood. The EMTs rushed to her first. Something about nicking an artery. They took one look at you and said your wound went through your bicep. You’re not as critical.”
She’s staring at my shoulder again. I feel more pressure on the wound, and it hurts so much I have to press my lips together for a minute so that the next word out of my mouth isn’t “morphine.”
“I can’t believe you dove in front of Ava,” she whispers. “You saved my dog’s life.”
“Wasn’t my plan,” I manage. I want to tell her about the proposal and Diamond. But I feel hands moving over my body. I’m pretty damn sure someone just stuck a needle in my arm, but everything hurts right now so that could be my imagination.
They’ve moved Kayla away so they can “work on me.” Not words I ever wanted to hear. I close my eyes.
“You can tell me about your plan later,” she says. She’s not shouting so she couldn’t have gone far. “I’ll ride to the hospital with you.”
“No,” I gasp as the paramedics place me on a gurney. Then someone places an oxygen mask over my mouth and nose.
“You have to go to the hospital,” Kayla says.
I reach my good arm up and pull on the mask. “Diamond’s in the car.”
“Proposals can wait,” she says with a smile. She’s so damn beautiful. I don’t want to look away. But I’m being wheeled out of the kitchen. I lose sight of her for a moment, but then she is back, right by my side.
“Not this one,” I say. “This one can’t wait.”
CHAPTER 27
KAYLA
“Diamond.” Gavin repeats the word as the paramedics try to replace the oxygen mask. “I left Diamond in the car.”
I try to offer a reassuring smile, even though I want to yell at him that proposals, rings—none of that matters right now. I probably won’t wear the stupid thing much anyway. I haven’t worn jewelry in years. But I can’t shout at this handsome, amazing man who took a bullet for my dog.
A man willing to risk his life for the animals I love, he’s worth compromising on well, everything.
“You can get the ring later,” I say. “We don’t need to rush. The wedding plans, where we’ll live, all of that can wait. I love you, Gavin. I’ve loved you for so long. For years, I was afraid of falling in love with you.”
“Diamond—”
“Shhh.” I take his left hand and intertwine my fingers with his. “I’m not going anywhere, Gavin. I’m in love with you. There’s no turning back now. And I know you’re nothing like Mr. Mistake. And I’m so proud of you for going on that show today.”
“Kayla.”
I lean over him and pull the oxygen mask down long enough to plant a quick kiss on his lips. Then I replace the mask.
“I hated watching the show with your insane ex-girlfriend, but when you started talking about how the bullying and abuse left you unable to see yourself as capable of anything, and how you turned that around by seeking justice. Gavin, you gave all the kids watching hope. Not just the moms tuned into the morning shows, but the teenagers who are facing the same things, I hope they watch and see Gavin Black admitting that he was once a weak, vulnerable little boy. And now look at you.”
“Ma’am,” the paramedic at the head of the gurney interrupts. I look up and blink at the man. I’d almost forgotten we had an audience. “Ma’am, we really need to get him into the ambulance and over to the hospital.”
“I’ll ride with him,” I say. Then I glance down at the dogs following me as if they are part of my shadow. I don’t know if they’re shaken from today or overwhelmed by the officers and medical personnel.
“Or maybe I should follow in my car with the dogs?” I suggest.
The paramedic shakes his head. “They can’t come in the hospital, ma’am.”
Gavin releases my hand and reaches for the mask, pulling it down. He looks so pale I’m afraid he’s going to pass out. “Not a ring. He needs to get out. Needs medication.”
“He? No, I’m pretty sure that’s you.”
Gavin raises his good arm and points to his two-door sports car. I spare the BMW a glance. Right when I’m about to look away, I do a double-take.
“There’s a Mastiff in your back seat,” I say.
