Chapter 10 #2
Addy straightened and glared at him as she muttered, “Men,” under her breath. “Annabelle’s a bright and capable woman. Do you think she won’t notice your clothes? I’m having her meet us in the ER. Then, she can see you’re all right without worrying about her patients.”
The ambulance’s siren alerted them when it turned into her driveway.
“Ragu, I need you to keep your leg straight while I transfer you to the gurney,” Patch instructed.
“I’ll help you to stand while Patch holds your limb,” Addy said softly, assuring Ragu. “Lean on me.”
“Dang it, Addyson. I’ll get blood all over your clothes,” Rugu muttered.
“It’s not the first time it’s happened,” she said, smiling at him.
The paramedics arrived, bringing the gurney.
Leo and Liam moved furniture to let them pass.
Addy gripped Ragu while he rose from the chair, completely in her element.
Liam wanted to shout to the world, “She’s my girlfriend,” but it might make the situation awkward since they never dated anywhere other than in his dreams.
“Good luck, Ragu. I’ll see you at the hospital,” Addyson said as Patch secured him.
She knelt by her dog. The strong woman Liam witnessed earlier seemed utterly vulnerable as she caressed Zeus’s head.
“Jake’s here. He waited for the ambulance to take Ragu before coming up the stairs,” Leo said. “Liam, stay with her while the police get her statement. We’ll find out more about the asshole who did this.” Leo left to accompany Ragu.
“My poor baby,” Addy murmured to Zeus as Jake knelt beside him.
“Awww, he’s a tough guy,” Jake soothed the stress-ridden dog. “It appears the bullet grazed his leg and went alongside his belly. “I’ll keep him with me for a couple of days,” he said, giving Zeus a shot to help him relax. “Do you have his vaccination record?”
Addy rose and rifled through the desk. “He’s up to date on everything.
“I’ll take good care of him, Addyson,” he assured her. “Liam, call one of the boys to help you take him downstairs to my truck. Two of them will have to follow me home.”
Liam turned to call down the stairs when his gaze met hers. He saw the worry and anxiety eating at her. The sooner they got Zeus cared for, the better she’d feel.
A few minutes later, Liam and Shadow picked up the dog, with Taco assisting.
“I’ll call you as soon as I get him settled,” Jake assured Addy. “I’m keeping him as a precaution. It doesn’t appear too serious.”
“Thank goodness,” she said, watching them take Zeus down the stairs.
When they loaded him into the truck, Whiskey volunteered to follow them due to Zeus’ size.
Liam approached the officer, speaking with Addy.
“Do you know the last name of this person, Paul?” Officer Clemmons asked.
“No,” she said, shaking her head. She crossed her arms and hissed, reminding him of her arm.
Liam held it up to the light, examining it. She bit her lower lip as he turned her limb to see the other side.
“I’m fine, Liam,” she assured him. “I’ll clean it up once I finish talking with the officer.”
“How much longer will you be?” he asked Officer Clemmons.
“Only a few more questions. When did you realize he was inside the house?”
“Liam dropped me off, and I closed my garage door. When I walked through the living room to retrieve Zeus from the bedroom, I noticed the lamp. I went upstairs and thought it weird he locked himself in Sam’s room.
He usually only does it with my bedroom door.
When I went to let him out, Benny jumped out from my office and held a gun to my head,” she said, swallowing.
“Then he ransacked my kitchen and he returned with the knife to slash my pillows and cushions.”
“Did he harm you during this time?” he asked.
“He went into a frenzy when he didn’t find the drugs and stabbed the cushions beside me, and I got in the way.”
“Here’s my card. I think this is all we need for now.
I’ll head to the hospital and get this sorted out.
I’m sorry this happened to you, Ms. Parker.
My guess is, this man got turned around and ended up here by mistake.
Don’t let it give you a bad impression of our little town.
It’s nice having Leo and his team here. You men did a great job,” he said, facing Liam.
“Thanks. May I take her to the hospital now?” he asked, urging the police officer to finish.
“Yes, I can request a report of your injuries later,” Officer Clemmons replied, tipping his hat.
“Let’s take Leo’s SUV,” Liam urged. “I don’t want to get blood in your brand new one.”
She nodded and accepted his arm around her back as he led her to a vehicle, which Cole left for him.
He turned on the heat when he saw her shiver. “Damn it, I didn’t think to grab a blanket.”
“It’s all right. We’re almost up the mountain,” she murmured. “Thank you for coming. I was scared if I dialed 911, he might lose it.”
“You did the right thing, Addy.”
“The team works fast. I’ve never seen them in action,” she murmured, watching him.
“It’s my first time working with them as a team. Cole and I tend to work with the dogs because Apollo recently finished his training. We’re supposed to start working with them as a team this coming week across different scenarios. It’ll allow them to see the dogs in action.”
“Haven’t they seen them before when they deployed?” she asked curiously.