Page 21 of Rescuing Sadie

Chase was sitting next to her, looking down at her in concern.

She wrinkled her brow. “What are you doing in my bedroom?”

If anything, her question made him look even more concerned. “We’re at Fletch’s house, Sparky. Not your bedroom.”

It all came back to her in a rush then. She sat up, nearly whacking Chase in the head in the process. “Your arm! Are you okay? Oh my God, I had no idea he’d hit you!”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine,” Sadie insisted. “You’re bleeding! Your shirt was soaked with it. Did you go to the hospital? How long have I been sleeping?”

“First of all, you weren’t sleeping. You passed out. You fell right to the ground before I could get to you. Second, I didn’t go to the hospital because there was no need. I knew Fletch would sew me up if I needed it. Third, you’ve been in here about an hour. I wouldn’t let anyone disturb you.”

Sadie’s eyes went to his sleeve. He was wearing a different shirt than he’d had on earlier. This one was a short-sleeve gray Army PT shirt. She knew because the guys at McKay-Taggart wore them all the time. There was a white bandage over his left biceps. Without thought, her fingers moved to it. “Can I see?”

Chase put his hand over hers, halting her movements. “I’m fine,” he repeated.

“Let me see.” It wasn’t a question that time.

Sighing, as if he knew she wouldn’t stop asking until he gave in, Chase turned so she had better access to his wound and let her do what she wanted.

Sadie pulled the tape off of the gauze and peeled it down. There was a definite gouge in the flesh of his upper arm. The bullet had taken a chunk of skin, but it didn’t look like it had done too much damage…even though it had bled a lot. Pressing the tape back into place, Sadie said, “I’m usually not so squeamish. I’ve seen my share of blood and gunshots, but it’s just that…it was you. And you were shot because of me.”

“Sparky,” Chase warned.

“It was Jonathan,” Sadie blurted before Chase could say anything else.

“I heard you warn me a second before he shot. I wasn’t sure if you had actually seen him or not,” Chase said.

“I saw him. He was crouched behind a car.”

“You got a good look at him?” Chase asked.

“Oh yeah. He looked right at me,” Sadie said. “I’m sorry, Chase. I’m so sorry!”

“Shut up,” he told her in a gentle tone. “This isn’t your fault. I’m just glad it was me and not you.”

“Don’t say that!” she exclaimed. “Don’t fucking say that. How would you feel if our positions were reversed? Do you think it would make you feel better if I was shot instead of you?”

“Fuck no,” he bit out.

“Right. So don’t think that it makes me feel any better.”

They stared at each other for a long moment before Chase reached for her. He pulled her into his arms and said, “I’m sorry. You’re right. Nothing about this situation is cool.”

They sat there together for a long moment before Chase drew back and informed her, “Sean and Ian are coming down tomorrow.”

Sadie sighed. “I’d prefer they weren’t involved.”

“There’s no way they’re staying away.”

“I know that too. But them coming down makes it more real for me.”

“Makes what more real, Sparky?” Chase asked.

“The threat. I could tell myself that it wasn’t that big of a deal when it was just you watching me. I could tell myself that Jonathan had left the state and all this craziness was for naught. But I know my uncles. If they’re on their way, they’re worried, and they’ll keep me locked up until they find Jonathan.”

“They love you.”