Several officers stormed into the restaurant only minutes later. It was when Aaron found out about the call that had gone to an operator at dispatch. Someone was in the bathroom with a gun. Aaron’s heart felt like it stopped.
Now the woman he loved was unconscious and bleeding. Aaron was scared to death. Blood covered her clothes, and he wasn’t able to see where it came from. All he wanted was to know what the fuck was going on and if she was okay.
“A.J.” Aaron turned to the sound of Allyson’s voice.
Bethany’s sister ran toward him with her father and Elijah behind her. Lewis looked white as a sheet and Elijah looked ready to kill someone.
“John told us what happened,” Elijah snapped when they were next to him.
“Is she okay?” Allyson stepped in front of her cousin.
“I’m waiting for the doctor to tell me something.” Aaron turned to the room where they’d wheeled Bethany a half hour earlier.
“You were there in the fucking room. How did she get shot?” Elijah glared at him.
“The gun went off when Raquel hit Kylie over the head.” Aaron swallowed the lump that had been in his throat since the paramedics lifted her into the ambulance.
“Is that bitch dead?” Elijah growled.
“Elijah, that’s enough.” Lewis raised his voice.
“No, but she’s in custody.” Aaron turned back to the closed door.
“She’s going to be okay, right?” Allyson linked her hand into Aaron’s arm.
“Of course she is,” Lewis assured them, but Aaron could hear the concern without even looking at the man.
Twenty minutes later, the majority of his family overflowed the waiting room, and Aaron still hadn’t moved from in front of the door. He begged his father and Ian to see if they could find out anything and they did find out that they were still working on Bethany.
“What’s the good of having a father and brother who are doctors if they can’t find out what’s happening?” Aaron murmured under his breath.
“A.J., she’ll be okay.” Aaron felt the weight of his father’s hand on his shoulder.
“There was a lot of blood, Dad.” Aaron sighed.
“Sometimes the smallest wounds can bleed the most.” His dad always had to be a glass-half-full kind of person.
“I can’t lose her.” Aaron plowed his hand through his hair.
“You won’t.” His father turned Aaron so that he had to face him. “You can’t think like that.”
“I love her, Dad. So damn much and I can’t lose her. She’s my life.” Aaron’s eyes blurred with tears, and his father pulled him into a hug.
“A.J., my boy, that woman in there is so much stronger than you give her credit for. She’s too much like the women in our family to let a little bullet take her out.” His father chuckled.
“She can be stubborn.” Aaron pulled back from his father and smiled. “But I love her, and all that feistiness more than I could ever put into words.”
“You don’t have to, my son. I know exactly how you feel.” His father’s gaze focused on Aaron’s mother. “That woman right there is the reason I open my eyes every morning. Just a glimpse of her makes me happy to be alive and to have the love of a woman that I am damn lucky to have love me back.”
“There’s nothing like that feeling,” Aaron whispered.
The door of the trauma room opened, and a familiar face appeared through the door. Dr. Adam Cramer seemed to always be on duty when one of Aaron’s family got wheeled into the Emergency Department.
“I swear your family keeps me in the ER.” Adam held out his hand to Aaron. “I understand you’ve been bitten by the love bug too.”
“Fuck that shit, Adam. Is she okay?” Aaron growled.
“Oh, you definitely have.” Adam chuckled. “To answer your question, she is fine. It looked like the bullet grazed her, but it was deep. She has about sixteen stitches, but she’ll make a full recovery.” Adam explained as Aaron and Bethany’s families quickly surrounded him.
“Why did she pass out?” Lewis asked before Aaron could.
“The sound of the gun going off so close to her ear probably threw off her equilibrium. She said her ear is ringing and she can’t hear out of it. Her hearing should return in a few days or so but if she has any other problems, she can see her doctor.” Adam explained.
“So, she’s okay?” Aaron asked.
“She’s fine and asking for you.” Adam smiled.
“Can I take her home?” Aaron was practically in the door before he finished his sentence.
“I’d like to keep her overnight just as a precaution, but she should be good to go in the morning.” Adam turned to leave. “I’m sure I’ll see you again sometime.”
“Thanks, Adam.” Aaron shook the doctor’s hand and hurried into the room to see the love of his life.
Aaron pulled back the curtain and breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of her smile. White gauze covered her shoulder, but smears of blood still covered her arm and cheek.
Aaron spotted a cloth next to the sink and grabbed it. He poured some of the saline from an open bottle on the cloth and stepped next to her bed.
“You scared the fucking shit out of me,” Aaron whispered as he gently cleaned the dried blood from her cheek.
“I can’t hear on that side,” Bethany spoke as if she was talking over a lot of noise.
“Shhh… you’re yelling.” Aaron chuckled as he stepped to the other side.
“Sorry.” She blushed.
“How do you feel?” Aaron continued to clean as much blood off her neck and arm as he could without jostling her too much.
“I’m a little high, I think.” She smiled.
“Adam gave you the good stuff, huh?” Aaron laughed and tossed the cloth into the sink.
“I guess, but I don’t like it.” Bethany furrowed her brow. “I feel like my bones are gone.”
Bethany lifted her left arm and shook it in front of him. Aaron grasped her hand and pressed it against his lips.
“Was I dreaming or did Raquel Evans save my life?” Bethany tilted her head.
“She knocked Kylie out with a chair.” Aaron chuckled.
“Wow. Before I went into the bathroom, I told her I’d alter her nose if she screwed with me again.” Bethany snorted.
“That’s my girl.” Aaron bent his head and pressed his lips against her forehead.
“That’s all I get after being shot.” Bethany gasped.
“You’ll get a lot more when you’re healed, but I can give you this.” Aaron brushed his lips against hers, but before he could pull back, she yanked her hand from his.
Bethany cupped the back of his head and plunged her tongue into his mouth. Aaron couldn’t deny her what she wanted, at least some of it. He devoured her mouth, swirling his tongue with hers in a kiss filled with need.
“Jesus, she was just shot. Take a break.” Cory’s voice echoed through the room.
“Cory, you need a girlfriend.” Bethany snickered when Aaron pulled back.
“I’m not going to argue with you there. Got any cute friends?” Cory winked.
“What are you doing here?” Aaron didn’t mean to sound rude and cringed at the sound of his voice.
“I heard what happened. Why does all the exciting shit happen when I’m off?” Cory shook his head and sat in the chair beside the bed.
“Raquel clocked Kylie over the head with a chair.” Bethany giggled. “She saved my life. Can you imagine?”
Bethany started to laugh harder, making Aaron and Cory laugh as well. It was clear the medication was having a strange effect on her, but thankfully she didn’t appear to be in any pain.
“The gun…went off and I can’t hear… I got a gash on my shoulder.” Bethany held her stomach as she continued to laugh hysterically.
“What the hell did they give her?” Cory snickered.
“Laughing gas, I think.” Aaron shook his head.
“Oh… oh my. My stomach.” Bethany took a deep
breath and blew it out. “I haven’t laughed like that in a long time.”
“I’m glad to see you’re okay.” Cory winked.
“What?” Bethany turned her head.
“She can’t hear out of that ear right now,” Aaron explained. “Cory said he’s happy you’re okay.”
“Me too.” Bethany yawned. “Am I going home now?”
“You need to stay overnight.” Aaron smoothed his hand over her head.
“Probably a good idea. I don’t think I could walk right now. I’m so…” Her eyes fluttered closed as she drifted off to sleep.
“Are you okay?” Cory whispered.
“I am now. Kylie didn’t seem like a crazy drug lord, and I definitely wouldn’t think she’d kill anyone. Especially, Jocelyn.” Aaron kept his voice low.
“I only met her a handful of times, but I wouldn’t suspect that either.” Cory stood up. “I’m going to head home. Glad to see both of you are okay.”
Aaron nodded and watched the door close behind Cory. He stared at Bethany’s face, and his stomach clenched. He could have lost her earlier, and the thought was terrifying. His eyes blurred with tears and he swallowed hard at the thought of never seeing her again.
“I love you so fucking much, baby.” Aaron brought her hand to his lips.
“She loves you too,” Allyson whispered.
He hadn’t heard Allyson or Lewis come into the room. They stood next to the bed, and the tears in their eyes probably mirrored his own.
“Mr. Donnelly, I know this is probably not the way to do this, but I want to marry her. I’d planned it thirteen years ago but … things didn’t work out. I don’t know how soon I’ll be asking, but I want to make sure I’ve got your blessing. You too, Allyson.” Aaron stared at Lewis and held his breath.
“I know you two have only been back together for a few weeks, but I’ve never seen her happier, and according to your Aunt Cora, you two are meant to be. I only have one request, and then I’ll give you my blessing.” Lewis met Aaron’s eyes.
“Anything.” Aaron stood up but kept Bethany’s hand in his.
“Keep putting that smile on her face that I see every time she sees you.” Lewis held out his hand.
“I’ll do everything I can to keep that smile there permanently.” Aaron the hand of the man who would be his father-in-law.
“She’s out like a light.” Allyson chuckled.
“Yeah, she got some pretty heavy drugs in her right now.” Aaron smiled.
“I’ll go if you guys want to stay for a bit. I need to go talk to my family and let them know Bethany is okay.” Aaron released Bethany’s hand and placed it on the bed gently.
“I’ll stay until you get back. Take your time.” Lewis sat next to Bethany and Allyson sat in the chair.
Aaron spent almost thirty minutes explaining to his entire family and friends that Bethany would be fine and they could all go home. It didn’t surprise him that they asked a million questions, but it was exhausting. Still, he loved every one of them because he knew they were there because they loved him and Bethany.
“As soon as da lassie is feelin’ better we’ll have a time.” Aaron smiled because his grandmother always referred to a party as a time.
“Sounds great, Nan.” Aaron wrapped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head.
“Come on, Tom. I’ll need ta go ta da grocery store ta get some tings fer a scoff.” Nanny Betty patted Aaron’s cheek and linked into Tom’s arm because a Newfoundland party wouldn’t be complete without a ton of food.
“How are all of you still in such good shape with all the food that woman cooks?” Aaron turned around as Denise stood up.
“Denise, what are you doing here?” Aaron hugged her.
“My grandmother fell. I brought her here with my grandfather, and I ran into Cory. He told me what happened.” Denise smiled. “Is she okay?”
“She’s going to be fine. She has a few stitches and some temporary hearing loss, but she’s alive.” Aaron shoved his hands into his pockets.
“Good, give her my best. Maybe when things calm down, we can get together for supper.” Denise’s hopeful eyes broke his heart.
She seemed so lonely, and it was obvious her old friends were not there for her anymore. Aaron knew she’d been in a crummy situation with Raquel years earlier but people change, and he was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.
“I’m sure she’d love that.” Aaron smiled.
“I’ll talk to you both soon.” Denise left the waiting room, and Aaron blew out a breath.
“People change.” Kristy wrapped her arm around his waist.
“Yes, they do.” Aaron hugged his cousin.
“This looks good on you.” Kristy grinned.
“It’s full of blood.” Aaron looked down at his soiled shirt.
“Not this.” She swirled her finger in front of his shirt. “This.” She pointed to his face.
“My face has been with me all my life.” Aaron snorted.
“Oh my God, being in love, you idiot. Being in love looks good on you.” Kristy slapped his chest.
“It feels pretty good too.” Aaron grinned.
“That it does.” Kristy glanced at Bull where he was bouncing little Decker on his lap while he chatted with Nick.
“Uncle A.J.?” Olivia tugged on his pants and Aaron crouched down in front of his three nieces.
Molly, Olivia, and Grace were all the same age and inseparable. It reminded him of Nick, Kristy, and himself when they were kids.
“Yes, Olivia?” Aaron smiled.
“Is Bethany okay?” She looked so worried.
“She’s fine. She just got a little boo boo.” Aaron took Olivia’s hand in his.
“Did she get a Band-Aid?” Grace asked as she reached into the pocket of her dress. “I got one if she doesn’t have one.”
“They gave her lots of them.” Aaron smiled and kissed the little girl on the head.
“Are you gonna marry her?” Molly asked.
“If she says yes when I ask her.” Aaron grinned.
“Can we be flower girls like for Uncle Nick’s wedding?” Olivia started to jump up and down.
“Definitely.” Aaron laughed.
The three little girls ran to their mothers sitting next to each other in the waiting room. They excitedly told their mothers that they needed dresses for Aaron’s wedding.
Stephanie looked up at him and smiled. She’d been with the family the longest and had been telling him when he found the love of his life, it would hit him like a ton of bricks. Of course, she didn’t know he’d already met Bethany before Stephanie came into John’s life, but she was right.
Chapter 31
Bethany stood outside the reception hall linked into Aaron and waving as Nick and Lora drove off with a just married banner stuck to the back of the truck.
The Hopedale Sailing club was right across the street from the beach, and with the warm July breeze blew across her face, she could smell the scent of the salty ocean. It was one of her favorite things and one of the reasons she couldn’t wait for their house to get finished.
“That’s a content smile.” Aaron wrapped his arms around and rested his forehead against hers.
“I’ve never been more contented in my life.” Bethany ran her hands over his chest and smoothed the lapels of his tuxedo.
“Me too.” Aaron grinned and kissed the tip of her nose.
It had been three months since she’d returned to Newfoundland and although it had started out terrible, it turned into the best thing that ever happened to her. If someone had told her six months earlier that by mid-July she’d be back in Newfoundland and in the arms of the only man she’d ever loved, she would have told them they were insane.
“There’s just one thing that would make me deliriously happy.” Bethany tilted her head and gazed into Aaron’s eyes.
“I can have us back to my place in ten minutes.” Aaron grinned.
“As tempting as that sounds, I was act
ually talking about letting me see the progress on our house.” Bethany fisted his lapels.
“You really aren’t great at waiting, are you?” Aaron pulled her against him.
“No, I’m not.” Bethany sighed.
“I promise you by the end of the month I’ll bring you to see it. Then I’ll let you decorate to your heart’s content.” Aaron smiled.
“All I can say is, it’s a good thing you’re hot.” Bethany stood up on her toes and pressed her lips to his.
Aaron had told her after construction started on their house he wanted to surprise her with a few things he’d incorporated into the house. She wasn’t sure what he did, but she impatiently waited.
Bethany started a job two weeks earlier with the hospital working in the pharmacy. Since she was a licensed pharmacist, they hired her from a recommendation from Craig. His sister-in-law was head of human resources and called her to offer her the position. Bethany was thrilled.
“Hey, you two, are you staying here tonight, or do you need a drive home?” Bethany turned at the sound of Crash’s voice.
“I’m guessing things are dying down in there.” Aaron wrapped his arm around Bethany’s waist, and they walked to where Crash sat in the SUV.
“Yeah, there are only a few stragglers left,” Crash replied.
“I’d like to walk back to Aaron’s place, but I’m afraid my feet would hate me in the morning.” Bethany looked down at the three-inch stilettos she wore.
“Why do women torture themselves with those things?” Crash looked down at her feet.
“Because they're sexy.” Bethany grinned as she hopped into the vehicle.
“Good point.” Crash laughed.
She’d gotten close to both Crash and Crunch over the last few months. They were great guys, and she had a feeling her sister was attracted to Crash. Bethany wouldn’t push Allyson on it since she hadn’t lost her husband that long ago, but who knew what could happen in the future.
“Take my beautiful lady and me back to my place, Mr. Crash.” Aaron climbed in next to her and wrapped his arm around Bethany’s shoulder.
“Yes, sir.” Crash gave Aaron a mock salute.
Dangerous Witness (O'Connor Brothers Book 7) Page 23
