“She’s strong. She’ll fight like crazy. We won’t let her leave us.” She presses her palm to her stomach. “She won’t miss being an aunt.”
Heath bursts through the door, his expression hard.
“Rylee,” he hisses, flying toward us. “Who did this?”
“She did.” Daisy nods toward Jenica.
“Haven,” Hunter rushes through the door, his brothers behind him.
“Hunter, help her,” I rasp, looking at him helplessly. He surrounds me, his hand holding my face.
“Where are you hurt?” he asks.
“I’m not. It’s…it’s Rylee’s blood.”
“He’s here,” someone says, but I lose time.
“Come on, baby,” Bane says.
“Let him help her,” Remy says.
I cry out as I’m lifted away from Rylee. I struggle in the arms that hold me.
“Haven, the doctor is going to get the bullet out.” It’s Lawson. He’s cradling me to his chest.
“She can’t die,” I whisper.
“I got you.” Lawson presses my head to his chest.
“Take her upstairs,” Bane says softly.
“Please, save her,” I mumble, my vision dimming.
My heart is breaking, my head and body numb.
She can’t leave me.
I’m finally happy.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Hunter
Standing in Haven’s bedroom doorway, I watch Lawson and Remy clean her face and hands. The shock must have forced her brain to shut down. She hasn’t woken up, but I can hear her steady heartbeat, so I know her mind is just protecting itself. I should have known. I saw a picture of Jenica. Haven’s father took her everywhere with him, and all the information I gathered was pointing to a woman obsessed with her boss.
I turn away and return downstairs. Heath carried Rylee to my office. The doctor just left after retrieving the bullet from her body. The bleeding has stopped, and we are hoping the magic of her animal will do the rest. I will forever be grateful to her. She protected our mate when we should have been here. What good is having four mates if we all abandon her?
“How is she?” I ask.
Heath hasn’t left her side.
“Her skin is knitting back together,” he says gruffly, rubbing his head. “She’s a fighter and has been through worse things.” He stands and holds his hand toward Juliana. “I need some air.” She moves close, threading her fingers through his.
“Heath,” I whisper.
“Don’t,” he hisses, and I grit my teeth. “Don’t blame yourself for this. How could you know? Rylee was protecting her family just as I taught her to do. Haven means everything to her, and I’m fucking proud of her. She will heal and continue to be a smartass for years to come.”
“Yeah, Boss,” I mutter.
