Devin cut the corner and his partner Johnny was right behind him. He glanced Zane’s way and shots rang out. Zayn shot his weapon and moved toward the danger and out of Devin’s line of sight. As Devin and Johnny checked their room, the shot came from the right, hitting his chest and his shoulder and sending him flying back against the wall. He couldn’t focus. The pain was so intense. More gunfire then yelling and the next thing he knew he was surrounded by cops and paramedics and he couldn’t respond. He closed his eyes.
“Fight, Devin. Fight!” Zayn said to him, and he could see Zayn holding his arm, and there was blood. He looked down but then rolled his head to the right, trying to fight the darkness pulling him forward as pain radiated against his chest. He could hardly catch a breath.
Darkness, then silence.
* * * *
Kai was clapping for Chadwick as he received his award, said a few words, and then returned to the table. She was filled with mixed emotions resisting the pull to be with Selasi, Zayn, and Thermo, and if they were right for her. A ménage was serious. Once she engaged in that there would be no turning back. One man was difficult enough to feel attracted to, and as fearful as she was about their professions and Zayn being in law enforcement, she did find it attractive and honorable. She really needed to spend more time with them before she jumped into bed with them. She looked at Chadwick as he spoke to the other people at their table. All pretty well off, and so different than her and where she came from, and what she struggled to get through. These people really didn’t know poor, or struggling to make ends meet or just to eat. She used to be envious of them. Of people like this. It had started out her goal in life to not be lower class or to struggle financially. She budgeted everything out and she wanted for nothing, but a man like Chadwick had it all. He wasn’t complicated. She understood him. He was attractive, successful, and he obviously found her attractive.
He represented the things she had hoped for in life, the kind of man she would had picked out that wouldn’t make her fearful, or needy. But did she have feelings for Chadwick like she did for Zayn, Selasi, and Thermo?
Her thoughts were interrupted as she saw a couple of law enforcement officers she knew leave their tables. Something was going on. She got nervous instantly, and looked at Chadwick.
Her cell phone rang. “It’s Afina.” She answered it and got up from the table to walk to the hallway.
“Kai, it’s Devin, he was shot and it’s bad.”
“Oh my God, how? When?” she asked as tears filled her eyes. She looked up and Chadwick was there with her purse in his hand.
“Thirty minutes ago or so. I just got here to General, and there are police everywhere, the media, too. Oh God, Kai, Zayn got shot, too.”
“Zayn?” She felt her body shaking.
“I think he isn’t as bad as Devin, but we don’t know. It’s so crazy here, and Mike can’t get any information.”
“I’m coming now,” she said.
“I’ll drive your jeep. Where are the keys?”
“Chadwick, Devin was shot and my friend Zayn, too.”
“Okay, I’ll call on the way. We’ll see who is on. It’s at General?”
“Yes.”
She was shaking so hard. This was what she feared. She even told Devin to be careful. Now he was shot, Zayn, too? What if something happened to them? What if they die? She can’t do this. She can’t be more than friends with men who engage in this type of profession. She can’t lose men she cares about.
“Dr. McAndrews is in the E.R. and he’s still evaluating the situation. I can’t speak to him so when we get there I’ll see. It will be okay.”
When they pulled into the parking lot is was covered with police and the media. Chadwick walked her into the main area and Mike, Turner, Fogerty, Selasi, and Thermo were with Afina. She got to her with Chadwick close behind, but then he walked right to the main nurse’s station. She hugged Afina tight. “It’s bad,” Afina said, and started crying.
She pulled back, felt the hand on her waist, and Mike was there.
“We don’t know anything, but the doctor on call isn’t saying much,” Mike said, and hugged her. She pulled back. “Zayn is going to be okay. Just a flesh wound to his upper arm.”
She turned to see Selasi. “I can’t believe this.”
He pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight. “It will be okay. Zayn just needs some stitches. We’re glad you’re here.”
She was filled with mixed emotions, but then a doctor came out of the main doors and Mike went over to him. Afina grabbed Kai’s hand and they went along with Thermo, Selasi, and the others.
“Investigator Stelling is in critical condition. Despite the bulletproof vest he was wearing, the one bullet to the top left went through and damaged arteries to his heart. At this time, we’re trying to decide what will be best for him, but it’s not looking good.”
Afina started to cry harder and Kai held her tight until Mike pulled her into his arms. Selasi hugged Kai from behind and then her eyes landed on Chadwick who squinted. She pulled from Selasi’s arms and walked to Chadwick.
“Chadwick, it’s my best friend’s cousin. Can he be saved? Is there anything you can do?” she asked him.
He stared at her and then over her shoulder and she knew he was looking at Selasi and Thermo. He would figure out that they cared about her. Chadwick cupped her cheek. “I’ll talk to McAndrews and find out everything. I’ll see what I can do.”
She hugged him and she felt his hand slide over her ass as he released her, and he walked through the emergency room doors like he owned the place.
“Kai, what did Dr. Hays say?” Afina asked her as she continued to cry. “Can he save him? Can he do something?”
“He said he’s going to find out. If he can he will.”
“He will. For you, he will,” Afina said.
* * * *
“So who the fuck is that doctor?” Selasi asked Mike.
“He’s one of the top emergency surgeons in the country,” Turner told them.
“Kai knows him well?” Thermo asked.
“They’re friends, have been for years, but I’m not going to lie, Afina mentioned several times the guy wants her in his bed,” Mike said.
“Fuck,” Selasi stated and ran his fingers through his hair.
“You’re making progress with her though,” Mike added.
“She’ll freak out because of this. Close up again, and put up the walls, because this is one of her fears and why she doesn’t want to get involved with us,” Selasi told them.
“She’ll get over that. You three and Kai are perfect for one another, and the attraction can be seen and felt within seconds of watching you. Make her understand and realize that things happen, but Zayn is okay and you guys aren’t doing anything risky,” Turner said to them.
Just then Zayn walked out of the main doors of the E.R. with his shoulder and arm bandaged up and a handful of papers and a white bag. They greeted him with hugs and slaps on the back, after other officers greeted him first. Afina walked over as Kai stood with her arms crossed and red-rimmed eyes, just staring at him. Afina hugged him and then Zayn told her he was okay.
“Devin is in bad shape, Zayn,” Afina said to him.
“He’ll pull through. I heard some big shot surgeon is scrubbing up and getting ready to operate. That he’s the best, and someone he cares about is friends with Devin so he stepped in.”
“That’s what they told you back there?” Thermo asked.
“Said that Devin wasn’t going to make it because the surgery would be too risky, but this surgeon checked things out and said the risk was high, but that he was going to give Devin a chance to live through this, and the only choice was surgery or giving up. Sounds like an amazing doctor that just happen to be in the ER tonight,” Zayn said.
“Not just happen to be here. Kai brought him here. She was at the awards ceremony and he drove her here when he heard what was going on,” Afina said to him.
He look
ed at Kai and went toward her, and Selasi saw she took a step back.
“Kai?” Zayn questioned, and she reached out and went to touch his bandaged arm as tears fell. Zayn pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight.
“It will be okay,” Mike whispered to Selasi.
Selasi looked at Thermo, and no words were exchanged. They had a bad feeling the walls were already up once again.
* * * *
Hours passed, and Kai leaned against Amelia who showed up with a change of clothes for Kai, but she hadn’t gotten undressed yet. She could hear the men talking, and the officers coming and going from different shifts or stopping by with coffee and food, all the things first responder families do when one of their own is in need. As she watched them and listened, she saw the camaraderie, the family bond they all shared and she respected that. Her heart was aching every time she looked at Zayn, Selasi, and Thermo. She longed to be held in their arms, yet she resisted out of fear of this situation. What if it were Zayn in there too right now? Touch and go? Near death? Then what? She just didn’t think she could take this emotional roller coaster and the fears that came along with being the woman to a cop, a soldier, and man in a dangerous profession, never mind multiple.
She thought about Chadwick and the things he said to her. The people he knew and the things that were safe and normal to engage in and be a part of. Did she really need all this drama and fear and worry all the time? She would be a nervous wreck every time Zayn left for work from now on whether she was his woman or not. Chadwick was a safer choice. But her feelings for him were nothing in comparison to Zayn, Thermo, and Selasi.
The doors to the E.R. opened and there stood Dr. McAndrews and Chadwick, as well as two other men. They were perspiring, but Chadwick looked cool as a cucumber, confident and serious. She stood up with Amelia and Afina and the men and they walked over to them.
“Surgery was a success, thanks to Dr. Hayes,” Dr. McAndrews stated, and Kai covered her mouth with her hand as tears fell. He went on to explain what they did, and how delicate and meticulous of a surgery it was, but that Devin was in good shape and the next forty-eight hours would give them more information.
“Thank you so much, Doctors. Thank you,” Mike said and shook each of their hands, and the other men followed.
Selasi hugged Kai from behind and she turned in his arms and hugged him back.
“Kai?” She heard Chadwick’s voice and turned to look at him, but Selasi kept his arm around her waist. She locked gazes with Chadwick.
“Thank you for all you did to save our cousin,” Zayn said to him and then he, Selasi, and Thermo shook Chadwick’s hand.
“Kai, come here a minute,” Chadwick said to her, and she eased from Selasi’s hold. She didn’t need to turn around to know they were jealous and pissed, but Devin was safe and he would make it.
Chadwick took her hand and brought it to his lips. “You doing okay?” he asked, and reached up to caress her tears away.
“I’ll be okay. I don’t know what to say or how to thank you.”
He smiled, but glanced at the men feet behind her. “I could think of a few things, but that wouldn’t be very professional, or what a friend would do or request.” She squinted at him. “I’m getting the eyes of death right now from those men behind you and the one with the beard and tattoos looks like he wants to hurt me.”
She chuckled. “They’re good friends.”
“I think you need to have the same talk you had with me, with them.”
“I told you I wasn’t ready. That I have a lot of fears.”
“I get it now, and I’m sure tonight’s incident makes you think I’m a safer choice than him?”
“Then them.”
“Them?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Complicated, Chadwick, and a week new.”
“Then make no decisions right now. It’s been an emotional night, the next few days will lessen as your friend recovers. You plan on that lunch with me this week though. It would be crazy to cancel.”
“Okay. I owe you.”
“We’ll discuss it.” She hugged him and he squeezed her tight, and when he pulled back he kept his hand on her hip and then cupped her cheek.
“Need a ride?”
“I’m staying.”
“In this sexy dress with all these guys staring at you?”
“I got bodyguards and Amelia brought clothes,” she said.
“Okay, we’ll talk more tomorrow.”
“Sorry you didn’t get to enjoy the awards ceremony.”
“They’ll be others. Besides, the best part was having you with me. I’ll call you tomorrow.” He walked away so they all could hear.
When she turned around of course all the guys were looking at her not just Zayn, Selasi, and Thermo, but Turner, Mike, and Fogerty. She walked over toward Afina and Amelia. “Everything will work out fine. Chadwick is the best at this. Thank God he was in town.”
“Thank God you’re such good friends with him,” Amelia said, and Kai grabbed the bag to go change in the ladies room.
Chapter Eight
Kai heard the knock on her office door and looked up to see Casey there.
“Hey, Casey. How is it going today?” she asked, knowing how difficult it was for her to come back to work after the incident at Corporal’s.
“Hanging in there. It’s interesting to be the office gossip instead of the office gossiper,” she said, and then walked into the office.
Kai was fixing up her desk and preparing to leave for the luncheon with Chadwick. Then she was going to head to the hospital to get an update on Devin and see Afina, Mike, and the guys, even though Chadwick was keeping her posted.
“You still meeting Chadwick at the country club?” Casey asked.
“Yup, that’s where I’m heading now and then to the hospital.”
“I know I kind of pushed about sleeping with Chadwick and all, but I think you’re making a mistake.”
Kai looked toward the doorway. “First of all, I’m not sleeping with Chadwick.”
“Not yet, but he’s spinning his charm, you’re running from your true feelings for Zayn, Selasi, and Thermo, just because you’re afraid to get hurt.”
“You don’t understand.”
“I don’t understand what? What it is to get hurt? To have my heart broken? To get punched and treated like a whore by the man I thought loved me but was fucking other women? What?” She raised her voice. Then she closed her eyes and breathed.
Kai came around her desk. “I’m not saying anything like that.”
“Then why? Why are you pushing away the three men that make you smile, make your eyes shine, and make you look even more beautiful and glowing than I’ve ever seen you since knowing you?”
Kai covered her mouth with her hand and then leaned against her desk. She stared at Casey. “I don’t think I can handle being the woman of a soldier or a cop, and three of them, scares the hell out of me. I can’t go through that kind of loss again.”
“You mean because your boyfriend who died was a soldier?”
“I can’t talk about this. I made a decision and I’m not getting involved with anyone. Not Chadwick and not Zayn, Selasi, and Thermo, either. I’m going to do what I have from the start. Focus on getting services to those soldiers and law enforcement in need, and any first responders who need our help, as well. This luncheon could mean some new funding for future programs and for adding services, buildings and employees to the retreat we have been working on. That’s my focus.”
“And with all that love and big heart of yours worrying about everyone else, even strangers, what about you? When do you get to be happy, to be cared for, protected and loved, huh? When?”
“I loved once and was loved in return. Perhaps that was all that’s meant to be for me.” Kai grabbed her purse and then gave Casey a smile. “I’m glad you’re back. Let me know if you need anything, and if Lionel starts trying to contact you.” Casey nodded and Kai walked out of the office and headed to m
eet Chadwick.
* * * *
“Where is Kai? Did she come today?” Selasi asked Mike.
“She’ll be by later. She had work and a luncheon or something,” Mike said and turned away.
“What?” Selasi asked him.
“I think maybe you guys should just give her time and space. This incident freaked her out,” Mike said.
“What are you telling me, to give up on her? Not with the feelings we have, and not the feelings she has for us,” Selasi said.
“She went to the luncheon with Chadwick,” Mike replied, and Selasi was instantly pissed off and jealous. One look at his brothers and they didn’t say a word.
* * * *
Kai was trying to be upbeat but her conversation with Casey weighed heavy on her heart. She couldn’t worry about herself right now. Not with this luncheon and meeting these wealthy people who were here to learn more about Guardians Hope. She had to focus on the charity and the good it provided for so many. So she spoke and talked to everyone who asked her questions, and the biggest surprise was the checks they wrote on the spot and handed her. Money she hadn’t expected, and that brought tears to her eyes.
As she thought about the success and all this could do for the clients, she thought of Zayn, Thermo, and Selasi.
“You have such a huge heart. My God, I loved hearing all about the work you do at Guardians Angels. I want to do more than just give a donation. Can we talk about it more maybe next week?” Mary Phelps said to her.
“I would love that. We can always use volunteers, and with the connections you and your friends have to those in the medical and legal fields, I’m certain we could use whatever they are willing to give, whether that is time, professional advice or whatever.”
“Wonderful. I got your number from Chadwick. I’ll call you and set things up.”
Healing Hearts 1 Warrior Angel Page 9
