Chapter 33
A spike of adrenaline flooded A.J.’s bloodstream the second he heard the sirens.
He knew they’d set off Spider, and the bastard was still holding that fucking gun on Josie.
Despite A.J.’s overwhelming fear, his weapon was steady in his hand and his vision was laser focused.
But when Spider swore and shoved Josie to the ground, time seemed to slow.
Spider’s gun went from pointing at Josie to pointing at A.J., and in that split second, three guns fired simultaneously. One particular crack echoed through A.J.’s whole body, and then he was breathless, staring at the fluorescent lights in the ceiling.
In the distance, he heard a woman screaming. He turned his head toward the sound, the movement sluggish, as if he was underwater. Josie crawled toward him on her hands and knees, a look of pure terror on her face.
“Adam!”
He couldn’t seem to pull enough air into his lungs.
Maria joined Josie on the ground next to him. She tore open his flannel shirt and squeezed her eyes shut.
“Thank fucking god he’s wearing Kevlar, but the impact could still have done some damage.”
Boots thudded on the ground as Cam and Tank rushed inside.
“Davidson’s down, but A.J. took one in the vest at close range,” Maria said to Cam.
Josie had a death grip on one of his hands, but she moved aside slightly to allow Cam to get to him.
“I bet it hurts like a bitch,” Cam said.
A.J. groaned in response, and as if hearing Cam’s comment, the pain hit. It felt like an elephant sitting on his chest.
“Josie, honey, are you okay?” Cam asked gently.
“Spider shot Adam. He shot him.”
A.J. heard the panic in Josie’s voice.
“The ambulance is on the way, but he’s wearing a vest, and the bullet didn’t go through. Look,” Cam said, pointing to A.J.’s chest.
A.J. gave Josie’s hand a squeeze. “I’m okay,” he wheezed.
He stared up at her pale face, noting the dark circles under her eyes, the tears running down her cheeks, and the trembling of her bottom lip.
“I’m okay,” he repeated, forcing out the words.
More footsteps filled the space, and A.J. recognized Detective Morgan’s pissed-off voice, which morphed into concern when she peered down at him.
“How bad is it?” she asked Cam.
“He took a round to the vest at close range. Ambulance is coming,” Cam explained.
“Shane Davidson is dead?” she asked.
“It appears so,” Cam said.
Morgan ran a hand over her face and scowled. “Ms. Callahan is unharmed?”
“As far as we know, but she’s going to the hospital to get checked out, too.”
“I’m going to need statements, sooner than later,” Morgan warned.
“I can give you mine now,” Maria offered.
“And who the hell are you?” Morgan snapped.
A.J. knew the feisty ex-Marine could hold her own, so he tuned out everything around him and focused on Josie–on the feel of her slender hand in his, on the warmth of her skin, on her expressive brown eyes, which were overflowing with tears. She was next to him, she was whole, and she was his.
***
When Josie finally slipped into the room, the lights had been dimmed, and it was quiet save for the soft, steady beat of the heart monitor.
Adam was asleep, his reddish-brown hair dark against the crisp, white pillow.
Josie sat in the oversized chair next to his bed, tucked her feet underneath her, and watched his chest rise and fall in a comforting rhythm.
She was exhausted. Her body ached with fatigue.
She desperately wanted to curl up next to Adam, but the hospital bed was small, and she didn’t want to accidentally hurt him.
His left arm was back in a sling, and under his hospital gown, his ribcage was wrapped tightly.
The gunshot had fractured two ribs. While an IV snaked from his right arm, pumping him full of painkillers, Josie knew any jostling would be painful for him.
Josie herself had been thoroughly examined by Lissa in the ER, and she’d assured her friend that Spider hadn’t hurt her.
Save for some bruises on her arms where he’d grabbed her, and a little swelling around her knees from when she’d slammed onto the floor at the bank, she was relatively unscathed physically.
Emotionally, well, that was another story.
Josie had also spent two long hours being interviewed by Detective Morgan. The detective had allowed the conversation to happen in the hospital, as Josie refused to leave Adam even if she couldn’t physically be next to him, but it had still been grueling.
Fiona had thoughtfully brought Josie a change of clothes and some toiletries. Now, instead of wearing the sour smelling clothes that Josie would probably burn as soon as she got home, she was clad in her favorite, soft yoga pants and one of Adam’s Navy sweatshirts. It smelled like him.
Fiona reported the kids were relieved Josie was safe and a little worried because they hadn’t seen their dad in a couple of days, but overall, they were doing fine and staying with Fiona, Jake, and their girls.
Josie didn’t know how she’d ever be able to thank everyone in this tight little group for all they’d done to bring her home, to make sure Adam was okay, and to take care of the kids.
She felt the sting of tears and impatiently swiped at her eyes.
About an hour later, a nurse came into the room to check Adam’s vitals, and he stirred. Josie stood, rushing to his side. When he blinked his eyes open and saw her standing over him, he smiled.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” he said.
He sounded groggy, sleepy, and extremely sexy.
She wanted to kiss his throat, and then his mouth, and then…
other parts. Josie blushed at the direction of her thoughts.
Poor Adam could barely take a deep breath without wincing, and she was thinking all the naughty thoughts.
Her professional brain knew wanting sex was a common reaction after a life-threatening experience, but she was still slightly embarrassed.
“How’s your pain level?” the nurse asked.
The nurse was an older woman, with a trim, no-nonsense bob and more gray hair than brown. Her demeanor was practiced and efficient, but her expression kind.
“Not bad,” Adam answered.
Both the nurse and Josie looked at him with twin expressions of doubt. The nurse’s may have been more of an “I call bullshit” look. She put her hands on her scrub-clad hips and raised her eyebrows.
“Listen, sailor, pain doesn’t help with recovery. You were hit by a truck and shot in the span of three days. If you want to get home to this lovely lady here, you’ll be honest with me.”
“It’s about a six,” he mumbled.
The nurse nodded. “Thank you. I’m going to give you something now. After that, you can press this button to dispense more. Use it when you need to, but don’t worry, it won’t allow you to overdose.”
“Thanks,” Adam said, his eyes already drifting closed again.
“Young lady,” the nurse said, addressing Josie now. “You look dead on your feet. Why don’t you go home and get some sleep. We’ll take good care of him tonight.”
Josie thought about how good it would feel to sleep in Adam’s bed wearing cozy pajamas, or even to curl up on the sofa with her favorite blanket, but the idea of walking into the house alone, of sleeping alone, or of doing just about anything alone, made her chest tighten with panic.
Her lips trembled as she shook her head.
Adam’s eyes were suddenly open and pinned to her. When he spoke, understanding laced his tone. “You could sleep at Jake and Fiona’s tonight. They have plenty of room. Or at Cam and Lissa’s, if you aren’t ready for the kids yet,” he suggested.
She shook her head again. “I want to be with you. I need to be with you.”
The nurse assessed Josie with a wise look. “I’ll be back.”
When she bustled out the door, Adam held Josie’s gaze. “You’re going to be okay.”
She nodded and wrapped her arms around herself. “I was so scared.”
“I know, honey.”
Josie shook her head. “I wasn’t scared for me. I mean, I was, but I was more terrified when Spider ran you down, and then again when he shot you. Those things keep playing on a loop in my head. I thought I lost you. Twice.” The last word came out with a choked sob.
“I thought the same. When I got home, and you were gone…” His words trailed off, and his eyes glazed over with pain. “I can’t lose you, Josie. I can’t.”
He reached for her with his good hand, and she grasped it between both of hers. Tears streamed down her face.
“I can’t lose you either. I love you, Adam. So much.”
“Marry me.”
Josie’s heart stuttered in her chest. “What?”
“I mean it. I’m going to ask you again, properly, but I don’t want to wait. Marry me, Josie. I love you.”
Josie could tell the drugs were taking hold when Adam slurred his last few words, but she’d seen the truth in his eyes. He wanted to marry her.
Just as Adam sank back into a drug-induced sleep, the nurse tiptoed back into the room carrying a pillow and blanket.
“The chair reclines. Let’s get you tucked in,” she whispered.
***
Josie woke feeling more rested than she expected, and when the morning nurse came in with discharge instructions, Adam, too, looked more clear-eyed. Josie helped him dress, and then he eased himself into a wheelchair for the mandatory ride out the front door.
Cam hovered around the nurse’s station, waiting to drive them home.
Home. They were finally going home.
“Joan’s at your house cooking up a storm, Liss will be over later today to check on you, and Fiona and Jake will bring the kids back whenever you’re ready,” Cam said, grabbing the handles of the wheelchair and pushing Adam toward the elevator.
When they stepped outside into the parking lot, Josie breathed in the crisp, fall air and warmth bloomed in her chest. She and Adam would be able to take the kids trick-or-treating. They’d have movie nights, and family dinners, and they’d play in the yard with Fluff.
They’d get married.
Adam hadn’t mentioned his proposal again, but Josie knew he’d been serious, and when he asked her for real, she was going to say yes.
It felt surreal when Cam pulled his SUV up to the house, like Josie had been gone for months but also like no time had passed at all.
When she and Adam slowly made their way inside, heavenly smells wafted from the kitchen.
Joan hustled to greet them, a dishtowel over her shoulder and a profound look of relief on her face.
She went to Josie first and pulled her into a warm, tight hug. Josie almost started crying again, but she forced herself to swallow back the tears.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” Joan whispered in her ear.
Josie couldn’t speak, so she just squeezed the woman tighter. When they stepped apart, Joan turned to Adam and inhaled sharply, as if she, too, needed to keep her tears in check.
“I want to hug you, but I’m afraid I’ll hurt you,” she said.
Adam gave a shrug of his good shoulder. “I’ll take a plate of whatever’s cooking instead.”
Joan laughed and nodded. “Coming right up.”
When Joan disappeared back into the kitchen, Josie pointed at Adam’s recliner. “I think that’s a good place to rest for today.”
Adam didn’t argue as she led him to the chair, covered him with a blanket, and pressed her lips to his, running her hand over his scruff-covered face.
“We’re home,” she whispered.