Page 73 of Protect My Heart

“You better call for another ambulance. I’m not sharing mine.”

“Will do.” She bent down and stroked the dog’s fur and murmured, “Good, puppy.”

The whole incident was caught on their body-cams, including Tigger’s revenge. Jim and Tig would have to view that footage later with a steak and beer—for both of them.

CJ dropped to his knees to evaluate Jim’s injuries. “Did I hear you got shot in the ass?”

“No. It was a hip shot. I’ll be fine by the way. Thanks for asking.”

CJ bit back a grin. “A hip shot that came out your ass.”

Daniels and Larson snickered. CJ’s smile broke free.

“You’re all a bunch of assholes.”

The ambulance pulled in and the paramedics rushed into action. Jim winced as they rolled him to get a better look. “Looks like a through and through—caught the muscle. The ER doctor will have a look. You’ll need stitches.”

Pain intensified as they moved him to the gurney. He bit his lip to keep the sissy scream inside. As they loaded him into the ambulance, he grabbed the door. “Hey, don’t start the interview until I get there.”

CJ shook his head. “I don’t think you’ll be in any shape—”

“Screw that.”

“You’ll be on administrative duty since you discharged your weapon.” CJ’s brows lowered.

“I’ll call the chief if I have to. I’ll be there. Don’t start without me.”

“We’ll discuss it later.” CJ pulled Doc to his side as they started to close the door. Jim stopped them again and whistled. Tigger came running at full speed and dove into the ambulance with him.

“Sir, we can’t take him to the hospital.”

“I’ll take him.” Doc leaned in and kissed Jim’s cheek before rubbing Tigger’s head.

Jim reached up and caressed her cheek. “You’re hurt.”

She covered his hand with hers. “Not bad. I’ll have one of the paramedics look at it. Then I’ll take Tigger to get checked out.”

“Thanks.” Guiding her down, he gave her a brief kiss. If he could, he’d pull her onto the gurney with him and keep her safe. “See you later.”

His dog followed her out, and they closed the door. Grief settled over him. Suffocating. He couldn’t say why but it felt like his whole world was on the other side of that door.

Jim hobbled into the bullpen with a blowup donut under his arm. The crutches the doctor gave him were in the car. No way he would show any sign of weakness to Finden.

CJ dropped the folder he was reading. “You shouldn’t be here. Go home and get some rest.”

“I’m fine. It was a flesh wound.” Good thing, too. If that punk’s aim veered to the left a few more inches Jim would be out of the gene pool. He dropped the donut on his chair and eased his body down. A hissing sound escaped his lips as his butt touched the surface.

“Did they give you pain killers?”

“Yes, but I haven’t taken any yet. I want to be clear headed when we interrogate Finden. It’s still numb from when they stitched it up.” Mostly. The twinges of sensation were coming back. Sharp and fast. He hoped they could get through the interview before the local anesthesia wore off completely.

CJ opened his mouth, but Jim cut him off. “I called the chief from the hospital. He okayed my being here.”

“Did your dad pull some strings? Never mind, I don’t want to know.” CJ stood and gathered up his file. “Can you conduct an interview without wincing every time you move?”

“Shut up.” Jim popped two Tylenol and chased them down with old coffee. He’d save the stronger stuff until after the interview. He leaned on the desk and used his good leg to hoist himself up. “Let’s go.”

Once in the interview room, Jim put on his game face. It about killed him to sit without flinching, but he did it. He wouldn’t give the man on the other side of the table the satisfaction of seeing his pain.