or comforted by such a rare display of emotion.
The other hand Christine kept wrapped around her arm was also covered in blood. It dripped down Christine’s arm onto the light gray dress she was wearing. Caroline’s entire left side felt like it was on fire. She started to feel woozy.
“No.” Christine yanked her hand free and smacked Caroline’s face. “Don’t go to sleep. Stay with me.”
Caroline leaned her head back against the wall. Christine’s hand was like a vise around her injured arm. “You’re not being very nice to me, Chrissy.”
“I’d much prefer if you stayed awake for now. Focus on my voice.”
“I really liked this suit,” Caroline murmured. “And now it’s ruined.”
“Or focus on your suit. It’s really up to you.”
“Do you think my Via Spigas will be okay? They’re my favorite pair of shoes.”
Christine let out another audible sigh. “You have a bullet in your arm and you’re talking about your wardrobe. Sometimes I don’t know what to do with you.” She was going from businesslike to exasperated in a hurry. “I’m sure your shoes are fine.”
“I want to check,” Caroline said groggily. She tried to bend over despite the stinging pain in her upper body.
Christine pushed Caroline back against the wall. “Let it go. I’ll buy you a new outfit the next time we go to Nordstrom.”
“Liar.” She blinked her eyes shut.
“I don’t care whether you believe me or not. I’m just trying to keep you from going into shock.”
Caroline heard a noise and opened her eyes. Jack ran toward her, breaking through the crowd of people who had gathered outside the boundary the police had set. A policeman trailed behind him, unable to keep up. He dropped to his knees on the floor next to her.
“Jesus Christ,” he said. “Christine, what the hell happened?”
Christine tightened her grip again. “Caroline is going to be fine, Jack. She decided to play hero, that’s all.”
He cradled Caroline’s head in his hands. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”
When had they argued in her office? Yesterday? The day before? She couldn’t remember, and he didn’t seem to be dwelling on it. Seeing the concern in his eyes made Caroline come close to breaking down. She bit her lip to stymie the tears, but failed. They started to fall anyway. “My arm hurts,” she whispered.
Jack clenched his teeth. “Baby, I know it does.” He kissed her forehead. “But the ambulance will be here soon and you’re going to be fine. You hear me? You’re going to be fine.”
His hands were nice and warm and she wanted nothing more than to lean into them. Caroline closed her eyes and let her head droop.
“Keep talking to her, Jack,” said Christine. “Keep her attention.”
Caroline cried out in pain. Jack glared at Christine, who was still squeezing Caroline’s inner arm tightly with one hand and pressing against her left side, near her heart, with the other.
“Could you stop doing that?” he asked.
“She’s lost a lot of blood,” Christine hissed. “I’m trying to contain the damage here.”
“You have a hell of a bedside manner.”
“Just try to keep her conscious,” she snapped.
“Come on, sweetheart.” Jack lightly slapped her face. “Stay here.”
“Why do you two keep hitting me?” Caroline mumbled. “That’s really rude.”
“I’m sorry, Caroline. I’m very sorry. About everything.”
She didn’t care about his apologies right now, but she’d feel guilty if she didn’t express her own regrets as well. “I’m sorry I yelled at you.”
“Just now, or before?”
“Both, I think.” The room spun. She was very mixed up. “I don’t know. Mostly before. I’ve been yelling at you a lot.”
“Don’t worry about that now. That was my fault. We can talk about that later.”
“I love you,” she whispered.
Jack kissed her forehead. “You’re going to be fine. I love you so much. I’m so sorry I hurt you.”
“You’re a good man,” Caroline slurred, hoping Jack could hear her. The noise rushing through her ears made the room sound like a wind tunnel. Had anyone else noticed it? “You’re going to make a wonderful governor.”
He pressed his lips to her forehead again. A clumsy gesture, as if he were trying to soothe himself more than her. “We don’t need to talk about that now, sweetheart. Just breathe and concentrate on the sound of my voice.”
Her mind drifted. “Will you go to the hospital with me?”
“You wouldn’t be able to keep me away if you tried.” His voice started to float away.
“I love you,” she said again. Or had she spoken at all? She wasn’t sure.
“Caroline!” She could hear Jack but he was