AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s that bad?” I asked.
“I’m trying not to pass out right now. It’s pretty bad.” She sounded nervous and a little out of breath.
“Figures,” I retorted, trying to brush it off. That was just my luck.
“We need to get you to a hospital. Now,” she said and grabbed my good arm, trying to tug me to the boat.
“Yeah, not going to happen. Not until all the victims are out of that house and taken care of,” I said. I put my foot down dramatically for effect.
The victims were scared and confused. They needed someone like me to help them adjust, to help them trust the assistance from the rest of the bureau. I could reassure them that the agents that surrounded us were there to help them, not the opposite.
“The victims will be fine, thanks to you and the rest of the guys. I’ve got resources from my people on the way. I’ll make sure every last one of them has everything she needs. Now you need to help yourself.” Her tone was just as stern, and her tug on my arm was just as dramatic as my foot stomp.
“I promise I’ll go once I see that everyone has been helped.”
Garcia stepped up in front of us. “Great work.” He slapped his hand down on both of our shoulders, including my injured one.
“Fuck,” I screamed. Tears immediately sprung to my eyes, and I struggled to blink them back. It was an accident, and I knew he was going to feel horrible about this if he made me cry. There was no telling how Adam would react. He didn’t need to beat up his friend on my account.
“What?” His face was panicked. He turned pale as a ghost from the blood on his hand.
“Did you get hit?” he asked. His tone was barely controlled. I could see the worry deep in his eyes. I was touched that he cared about me to feel that way. This group dynamic was so different and difficult to adjust to. But I’d be damned if I didn’t feel like I was a part of the group. They made me feel as if I was always one of them.
“Yes, and she’s refusing treatment,” Christine tattled.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Garcia asked me, his eyes narrowing in anger.
I felt a presence behind me. I didn’t need to look behind me to know who it belonged to. His possessive hands on my waist brought me a comfort that I didn’t want to admit to. “She’s fucking hard-headed.”
“I’m okay. When I’m about to pass out, I will let you know,” I told them.
“No, you won’t,” Jones said as he joined us. “I heard the whole exchange through the coms. If Adam doesn’t drag you to the hospital, I will.” His concern mirrored Garcia’s. I could see just how serious his threat was.
Yates jogged over. “Holy shit, you did a number on that guy’s face.” His eyes snapped down to my hands. I forgot that my knuckles were swollen and bleeding. The pain barely registered over my shoulder.
“I guess I did.” I felt slightly proud but mostly ashamed. I let myself lose control, and that wasn’t like me. I was always in control.
Mendez, Wells, Guy, and Jasmine joined us, and we all stood on the lawn of the compound.
“Okay, how many of us were injured this time?” Mendez asked as he glanced around. Was this normal for them to discuss? Was something to brag about? Men were so fucking weird.
“Did someone get injured in Vegas?” I asked.
“Jasmine took a shot to her vest,” Jones volunteered. He shot her a look, meant to discipline her for that.
“Bad ass.” I winked and nudged her arm with my good one.
“I know I am—but look at you. Standing like you don’t have a bullet in your shoulder. I went down from a head injury more than anything,” she said.
“I actually took two.”
“Wait, what?” Adam asked, his face turning white again. So did the rest of the group.
“One to the vest,” I clarified, and some of the color returned to their faces.
“I took a couple,” Garcia said, pulling the scrap out of his vest.
“Same,” Mendez said and dug out his.
