Page 164 of Dark Night of the Soul

Five minutes and he could be dead.

It was the longest five minutes of my life.

Kincade’s breathing hitched again—shallow, uneven—and something in my chest fractured.

“Hey,” I said softly. “Stay with me. You don’t get to disappear on me now.”

His fingers twitched once.

I latched onto them anyway.

Ludwig glanced at me, something unreadable in his eyes. Respect.

Ulrich’s phone buzzed. He was at the door before it stopped, opening it, letting in a doctor I assumed was also part of the Quiet Watch.

Then Ludwig was pulling me away.

“Come away,” he said softly. “Let him work.”

I let go—

and it was the hardest thing I’d done all night.

“Let me take care of that shoulder,” he said.

“I’m fine,” I said.

“You’re not.”

I glanced down. Saw blood down my arm from the bullet wound. Staining my hands. Most of it wasn’t mine.

He guided me to the worn sofa. “Sit.”

We stared each other down.

“You’ve got a lodged round and you’re bleeding.”

“But—”

“I’ve got you,” he replied. No humor. No flirtation. “Done it more times than I like. Now, sit.”

I was used to being ordered around. I sat, still listening to what was happening with the doctor. Ulrich hovered between the two of us.

Ludwig crossed the room and grabbed one of the go-bags from beside the door. He unzipped it with practiced speed.

“You were prepared?” I asked.

“Always,” he replied as he pulled out a slim black pouch.

Gloves. Gauze. Forceps.

“This’ll hurt.”

“Fine,” I said.

I was already numb to most of the pain, anyway.

He was fast and efficient. No wasted movements. The bullet was out, and I was bandaged up minutes later. I only flinched once as I gritted my teeth, determined to keep from making a sound.