Hostile Ground (The Arsenal #7) - Cara Carnes Page 0,20
pointed toward the door.
“Hang on. I’ll get a doctor here.”
“No,” Addy said. “He’s going to a hospital once the area is secure.”
“I’m okay. The bleeding has slowed,” Kristof commented.
“You’re going to a hospital,” Addy repeated.
“I’ll figure out where to take him,” Zoey said. “We can’t risk too much scrutiny by authorities.”
Addy willed her breathing under control as they entered a large office. Gavriil helped Kristof to the sofa. Chatter on the coms indicated her team had secured all exits from the building, which was a high-end apartment or condominium complex. Hundreds of residents. A door-to-door hunt wouldn’t be possible.
She redirected her attention on Kristof as Gavriil inspected the wound.
“Through and through,” the man said. “A couple inches shift and you’d be dead.”
Kristof grimaced. “Thank you, comrade.”
“Iriana had you covered. Literally.”
“Don’t ever put yourself between me and a bullet again,” Kristof growled.
“That’s my job,” Addy argued. She pressed the makeshift bandage on his wound. Blood covered her hand and rolled down her arm. “Who the hell did this?”
“I have no idea.” He grimaced. “Your bedside manner needs work.”
“So does your lying.” She pressed harder. “I’m a good mind to put a bullet in your brain myself. Who did this?”
“I’ve made many enemies, more lately than normal. I don’t know, but we’ll find out.” Kristof’s gaze cut to Gavriil.
The two men regarded one another. Though neither spoke, Addy sensed the tension between them. They both knew more than they were saying.
“You think he knows who did this,” Zoey said in the com.
Yeah. She did.
“She’s right. You need to go in,” Gavriil said. “I’ll make some calls and secure a facility.”
“Don’t…” Kristof started to speak but halted when Gavriil squeezed his arm.
“I know. I’ll make sure it’s secure.” The man looked at Addy. “Hospitals are a risk we normally wouldn’t take. Most injuries can be handled by private doctors, but given the location I agree he needs to go in. I’ll get my vehicles brought around.”
Addy nodded but remained quiet as Zoey and Jesse debated the merits of letting a stranger Kristof trusted find a location.
“He’ll know what’s safe more than we do at this point,” Jesse said. “Let him take the lead. We’ll pull him out if needed.”
“Your team is chasing the shooter. You should be able to move him without problem,” Zoey said. “Be careful, Addy.”
“The scene’s safe. Let’s go. We’ve waited long enough.” Though only a few minutes had passed, Addy knew every second counted if the bullet hit anything major. Then again, he would’ve bled out by now if an artery had been hit. Through and through. At least the bullet hadn’t buried inside and travelled.
“We can’t transport him and keep our presence under radar,” Jesse said.
“I’ll need help getting him there,” Addy said.
“My men and I will provide security and transport.”
Right. He’d said so before. She needed to get her shit together and focus.
“Don’t put yourself at risk,” Kristof growled. He glared at Gavriil. “It’s not worth it.”
“Shut up or we’ll knock you out,” Addy said. “Let’s go.”
6
Two dark SUVs pulled up outside the club moments later. Addy and Gavriil got into the back of the second vehicle with Kristof while two men climbed into the front. Five more filled the first.
Kristof’s weight slumped against Addy. Her gaze latched on to Gavriil, who maintained a firm press against the bullet wound. Blood coated the hand towel. Where had it even come from? Hadn’t they been using a shirt before?
“I’m okay,” Kristof whispered. The audible swallow and labored huff of air after the declaration quickened Addy’s pulse.
Should he be lying down? Wouldn’t that be better? Or, wait. Wasn’t there something about elevating an area to reduce blood flow? Fuck. Why hadn’t she taken more medical training through the years?
Because you never gave a damn whether you lived or died. Not until The Arsenal.
No. She’d cared at the camp, back when she’d had Kristof. Her fingers trembled as she stroked his jaw, and then angled downward until his pulse thumped beneath her fingertips.
“Okay, this syndicate has their shit together,” Zoey said. “I hacked into their surveillance system and am gathering the other feeds available within the area. Hopefully we can piece together enough data to identify the shooter.”
Sweat dampened Kristof’s skin. His eyelids closed. A tremble ran throughout her body, but she forced her mind to focus on the task at hand. Hospital.
“Stay awake,” Addy said. She stroked his hair and peered into his gray eyes.
Pain reflected in his glassy gaze when he looked up at her. “I’m okay.”