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Ezra is standing near him and Calvin snaps, “Check her pulse. If she so much as twitches I’m going to put one into her damn head to make sure she stays down this time.”
Ezra follows the order and shakes his head. “Dead as a doornail.”
“Thank fuck. Dammit, I survived multiple war zones without getting shot and here I am in the waiting room of a hospital in my own damn town and I get shot? How’s that for a twisted reality?” Ivar grumbles and holds onto his upper right arm.
I focus back on Ramona who is staring at Alma. I let my hands roam over her body to make sure she doesn’t have a scratch on her.
“I’m fine,” she mutters. “I am. It’s over.” Her head swings my way and there’s a smile tugging her mouth until she gasps, “Oh. My. God. You’re hurt.”
I hiss when she grabs my arm and look down where the bullet grazed me. Ramona is tearing the fabric of my shirt apart and is examining the wound.
“Just a flesh wound,” I grunt. “A graze. Really, sweetheart, I’m okay,” I urge, not liking the worry that’s edged on her face.
The room fills with people, doctors rushing to help and deputies to assist. Calvin is barking out orders while Ivar and I are guided out of the room into a separate one where a nurse tends to our wounds.
Ramona hasn’t left my side. She’s fussing with her phone when the nurse is finally done with the flesh wound on my arm. The nurse excuses herself and lets me know she’ll come back with my discharge papers.
“Hudsyn texted to let us know Calvin had a theory about how Alma ran Sonnet off the road to get all of us in one place to try and kill us all. Oh, and she mentioned Calvin was also shot but the idiot didn’t let anyone know until everything was handled. The bullet was still stuck in his side. Can you believe it?” Ramona shakes her head.
“The man has priorities,” I simply reply.
Ramona reaches for my hand and laces her fingers with mine. “Like the way you kept me safe.”
I shrug as if it’s nothing and tell her in a teasing tone, “You just claimed me and we haven’t even had the therapeutic sex you keep mentioning. What else is a man to do?”
“Oh. My. Gosh. You did not just say that,” she whispers in shock. “You’re telling me you saved me just so you can get laid?”
And that’s the moment the nurse steps back into the room with my discharge papers.
I can’t help it; I laugh my ass off. Call it a release of all the pumped-up adrenaline, or the knowledge the threat hanging over our head is handled…whatever. It feels freeing to let go and Ramona joins in.
I’m sure we are making the nurse uncomfortable but I couldn’t care less. Grabbing the discharge papers, I thank the nurse and keep my hand locked with my woman’s as we stroll out. Ezra is standing in the hallway and heads toward us.
“Ready to go home?” he asks.
“Hell, yes.” Ramona releases a deep sigh. “And I’m sure Calvin would like to know there are more people taking care of his son once we’re home. Can you let him know there’s no rush to pick him up?”
Ezra gives a tight nod. “It might not do any good because I just saw the fucker stalk out of the room with his shirt unbuttoned and a bandage around his belly. He’s not the kind of man to lie in bed and let others deal with the scene he’s in charge of. I’m sure he’ll swing by once he’s dealt with this crap. Atticus also just called. He’ll be here within the next three hours.”
“Need us to stick around?” I offer.
“Nah, we got this.” Ezra signals for a deputy to come closer and gives him instructions to take us home.
Home. It sure sounds good knowing I won’t be walking inside the ranch on my own. Today might have been tainted with bad shit but knowing Ramona and I both took a step forward and admitted our shared feelings is a major shift. One where we will plan a future together.
Something I never thought I’d be able to do; put my heart on the line. But damn does it feel good to have her at my side. And it doesn’t even feel like a risk, more like one of the most natural things right next to breathing. It’s as if my heart was always meant to be Ramona’s as hers was meant to be mine to fill to the brim with as much love as I can muster.
CHAPTER SEVEN
– RAMONA –
I’m warm, comfortable, safe, and feel completely treasured by the strong arms wrapped tight around me. Another morning waking up as if none of the bad things happened in my life. I snuggle closer against Perry’s chest and breathe him in.
This is what I want my life to consist of; filled with positive vibes, blooming love, and possibilities. It’s a solid reminder to bury the past and focus on the future. And I know it’s what I tried to do when they caught Henrick and locked him up in jail, not expecting for him to have a wife who thought to get revenge on me because her husband cheated on her.
None of it will ruin what I’ve found right here. Holding me tight, even when he’s sleeping. The shallow rise and fall of his chest, taking me with him as his arms are engulfing me in a warm embrace.
Yes. I could stay here for hours and drink him in with each breath to fill my body with adoration and I dare even say love. The foundation we’ve built by months of texting is as solid as the sparks that hit us when we met face to face. Both coping with issues, both helping one another rise and move past it.
