Crash Into Me - L.A. Fiore Page 0,80

For both of you.”

The waitress arrived; we put in our order before I asked, “What’s new with you?”

“Same ole, same ole. Someone moved into your apartment.”

“Oh yeah.”

“She’s really great. Feeds me a lot.”

I chuckled. “That sounds familiar.”

“Yeah, but we eat early.”

“Why?”

“Cause she’s seventy-two.”

My mouth opened then closed, and then I laughed out loud.

“So did you solve the case?” he asked, before taking a drink of the beer the waitress dropped off.

“Not yet, but soon.” I hoped.

“You think you’re going to stay with it?” His question surprised me because it was only recently that I was asking myself the same.

“I don’t know. Why do you ask that?”

“Because I’ve seen you pre-Kade and post. You lived for your job, but I think, in part, that was because you were looking for something. You found it with him. And honestly, how long can you stare down death?”

“You’re very intuitive, Ethan.”

He blushed.

“I’ve been thinking about taking a step back. I love the job, but I didn’t realize how much the job asked of me.” I took a sip of wine. “I won’t do anything until we solve this case, and then we’ll see.” I touched his hand. “After our drinks, we’re going to the penthouse for dinner.”

His eyes went wide. “Seriously.”

“Yep. Kade is cooking, but I’m going to help.”

“The billionaire is going to feed me.” Ethan leaned back in his seat and linked his hands behind his head. “I can live off of that for a while. The street cred is going to be off the charts.”

I chuckled. “You’re ridiculous.”

We had two drinks and decided to catch a cab home because we were both starving. We stepped outside; the nights were warm, hot even, and after the two drinks, I was overheated. I stopped to take off my jacket, as Ethan moved to the curb to flag a cab. I heard the pop, my hand immediately going to my weapon. I saw the car speed off, caught a partial tag, and then I saw Ethan on the ground.

“No!” I ran to him, dropped down at his side. “Call 9-1-1,” I shouted. My hands were shaking, as I ran them over him. His eyes were wide with fear and pain. “You’re going to be okay,” I said, yanking open his shirt to see the bullet hole. Blood was pouring out of it. I ripped the bottom of my shirt off, stuffed it into the wound, and applied pressure. Tears were blurring my vision. “Call 911,” I shouted again.

A man dropped down next to me. “They’re on their way.”

“Stay with me, Ethan.” His eyes were open, but growing glassy. He tried to talk, but nothing came out. “Stay with me.”

I heard the sirens just when his eyes closed. “Ethan!” I put my head near his mouth, but I couldn’t feel breath. I felt for his pulse, but I didn’t feel one. “No!” I started compressions, which had the blood pumping out of his wound. Tears were rolling down my face; the sirens grew louder. I gave him a breath, felt again for a pulse and felt nothing.

“Don’t you leave me. Don’t you fucking leave me.”

Two paramedics appeared. “We got it. How long have you been doing compressions?”

“Not even a minute.”

I never in my life felt as hopeless as I did at that moment. My friend was bleeding out on the sidewalk, and there wasn’t a damn thing I could do.

“I’ll call Mr. Wakefield,” the man at my side offered. I was numb, my focus turning to him, but not understanding him. “Mr. Wakefield?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“We’ve got to move,” the paramedic said.

“I’m coming with you,” I said, and flashed my badge.

“Alright.”

“What hospital?” The man asked.

“Sinai.” The paramedic called back.

Ethan flat-lined twice on the way.

“Is there any news?” I asked the nurse for the tenth time.

She was sympathetic when she whispered, “No, but as soon as we have some.”

I moved away from the desk, pacing the waiting room. The doors opened, and Kade appeared, moving toward me in long strides, but it was the look on his face. He thought I’d been hurt, too. The tears that hadn’t stopped welled again. I was pressed up against his chest, his arms holding me so tight, it hurt.

“I couldn’t stop the bleeding,” I said, then said again. “I couldn’t stop it.”

Kade said nothing, just held me to him.

“There was so much blood. I couldn’t get it to stop. He was bleeding out, right there on the street. Someone shot him.” Then the rage came and I pushed at Kade. “He