MIKE The Firefighters of Station 8 Page 23

  “Blood? Thought you said it was the officer’s blood.” Jared stepped next to Cooper.

  “Looks like Mike’s helmet caught a bullet,” Laredo told Jared. “I better go tell the Cap.”

  “You sure you’re all right?” Jared asked Mike.

  “Hell, I was until I saw this.” He handed Jared his helmet. Jared gave a whistle. Pain buzzed in Mike’s temples to the drum of his speeding pulse. “Guess I am a lucky bastard.”

  “I’d say.”

  “So are you. You were right beside me.” Like a building falling on his head, the impact of what could have happened crushed into his skull. Jared could have been shot, too. He’d knocked Mike out of the line of spraying bullets. Mike thought they’d missed. An inch or two over and the bullet could have entered Mike’s brain.

  Blood drained from his face to his toes. Nausea cramped his belly, nearly making him puke. “Thanks for shoving me out of the way.”

  “Are you kidding? I was trying to save my own ass.”

  Mike gave Jared a look that clearly stated he knew better.

  Jared clapped Mike on the back. “All in a day’s work, Hoss.”

  Heavy boots with a sharp stride clonked on the cement. “What’s this I hear about a bullet hole?”

  Jared handed Shep the offending object. His brows slanted down and the muscle in his cheek tightened, making Mike worry it might pop.

  “Looks like the bullet went through here,” Shep said, pointing to the shield.

  “I remember hearing a hiss. As for the shield, I figured it got scraped.”

  “Laredo. Take him to the hospital.”

  “Now, wait a minute. I’m fine.”

  “He’s got blood on his head.”

  At Cooper’s words, Mike shot him a glare. “A scratch.”

  “Yours?” Shep asked, his piercing eyes intense. “Not the officer?”

  Mike shrugged.

  “Get your ass to the hospital and don’t say another damn word.” When Shep used that tone of voice, you moved your ass and kept your mouth shut. “The rest of you, get this gear stowed.”

  Mike gritted his teeth in annoyance. And dread.

  He could have been shot in the head.

  ***

  Damn tightlipped hospital nurses.

  Wouldn’t tell him a goddamned thing.

  How was he supposed to get any information with half the fire department in the waiting room?

  Seth crept back to his vehicle in the parking lot, his muscles tight with tension. Leaning against the back bumper of his SUV, he lit up a cigarette, tilted his head to the sky, then released smoke into the air.

  He could hardly wait for the news to reach his enemy. “Your brother has been shot.”

  Feel that, motherfucker.

  Now you’ll know what it feels like to have your guts twisted when you hear that kind of news.

  It would be dark soon. Although that wouldn’t make much difference inside the hospital, it did mean shift change.

  The staff always slacked off at night.

  He’d get his chance.

  Chapter 24

  Traffic was horrible. Cassie had meant to leave school on time to go do her shopping, but the principal had called her to his office to discuss one of her students. The student wasn’t the problem—the parents were. She’d never known people could behave so outrageously until she’d become a teacher. Some parents behaved like vipers. And the poor kids were the ones who suffered.

  The office secretary had a saying, which she freely verbalized quite often. “You want to know why a child acts the way he does—look at the parents.” Cassie had found that to be true on all occasions.

  Her refrigerator was bare, so she had to go to the grocery store on her way home. Then she’d gotten stuck in five o’clock traffic and hadn’t gotten home until six.

  Her cell phone rang just as she placed her groceries on the kitchen counter.

  “Cassie! Thank God, you’re home. Where have you been?”

  “The gro—”

  “Never mind. Turn on the TV.”

  What had Tammy so riled up? Cassie picked up the remote and pointed it to the television. “What channel?”

  “It’s on every channel. The six o’clock news. A fireman has been shot.”

  A cement boulder slammed Cassie’s chest. She couldn’t get air. A voice screeched from somewhere on the floor. Realizing she’d dropped her phone, and the remote, she snatched them both.

  “Tammy. Slow down,” she gasped. “Stop. Let me catch my breath.”

  Cassie turned up the volume and listened.

  “Local news involving one of our fire departments. An investigation is underway after a downtown shooting occurred this afternoon at the intersection of Liberty and Coalter Street. Police responded to a call of an accident. Station Eight fire department responded as well. Police on the scene called for backup with a report of gunshots fired at the same location. An armed gunman fired at a fire truck.”

  Cassie stood frozen, glaring at the newsman on the TV screen.

  “An Augusta County Fire Department spokesman told TV3 News that firefighters arrived on the scene expecting to assist in a crash when shots were fired. One firefighter, Mike Armstrong, was struck by a bullet and was taken to the hospital. His condition is unknown.”

  A buzzing filled Cassie’s head. The ringing in her ears grew louder in intensity.

  Count. One, two, three …

  My God. Mike.

  She grabbed her purse and was out the door in seconds. No sooner had she started the car than her Bluetooth activated her cell-phone. She pulled onto the highway and hit the off-hook button.

  “Dammit, Cassie. Why wouldn’t you answer your phone?”

  “I’m too busy driving. Now that I’m on a highway—”

  “Driving!” Tammy shouted loud enough for other passing cars to hear. “You should not be driving. I’ll come get you.”

  “I’m half way there,” she said as she drove up the ramp to I64.

  “Well, for God’s sake, don’t take the interstate.”

  “Too late.”

  “Shit. All right. I’ll meet you there.”

  Good. Cassie didn’t like talking while driving and she had enough to distract her as it was.

  Mike.

  Struck by a bullet.

  What had happened? She sped to the hospital like a demon.

  She rolled into the ER parking lot on two wheels.

  Her stomach rolled with nausea.

  Keep calm.

  She ran through the double doors and straight to the emergency counter.

  “I’m here to see Mike Armstrong. The firefighter that was shot.”

  “You and every other reporter, honey. Get in line.”

  “What?” Horrified, Cassie stared at the woman on the other side of the desk.

  “Are you family?”

  “Uh, no. I—”

  “Then don’t waste my time.”

  Anger flushed her face. “Now, see here.”

  “Cassie?” She turned to the sound of a man’s voice.

  Jared.

  Cold dread washed over her. Seeing Jared’s worried expression suddenly made everything real. She fell into his hard chest and his arms clasped around her. She couldn’t fall apart now. She had to be strong, whatever the news might be.

  Oh God. Please let him live.

  Tears filled her eyes and spilled down her cheeks. She couldn’t stop them. The floodgates had burst. Her shoulders started to shake.

  “There, now. Mike will be okay,” Jared rumbled in a low voice. Sturdy hands rubbed her back, ringing out the pent-up tension. The last time she’d cried, Mike had held her. Mike had been the one to soothe her.

  With her eyes closed, she stepped back and inhaled, filling her lungs. The potent smell of medicine filled the corridor. She dug in her pocket for a tissue. Finding none, she swiped her cheeks with the back of her hand.

  “Do they know anything? Is it bad?”

  “Mik
e’s been in tougher spots than this.” A man she didn’t know stepped beside her. A slight smile lifted the corners of his mouth. “The bullet was just a scratch.”

  “Then he was shot?” Her eyes flew open with renewed terror.

  “He’s okay,” Jared assured her.

  “Tell me what happened.”

  “Mike had on his helmet. Like Cooper, here, said. It’s just a scratch. We’re waiting on the doctor now. I promise. He’ll be right as rain.”

  “Hi. I’m Cooper. Why don’t you come on over here with us?” the young man said, guiding her. “We’re all waiting.”

  A rush of footsteps and a whirl of colors came hurtling toward her. “Cassie. Cassie. I’m here.” Tammy rushed forward, arms open wide.

  Cassie stumbled into her friend’s jostling embrace.

  “Shep called me,” Tammy said as she released Cassie. “Are you okay?”

  “I will be. As soon as I see Mike.”

  Tammy handed her a plastic pouch of tissues. “You haven’t seen him?”

  “Shep called you?” Cassie asked at the same time.

  “A while ago. He wanted me to find you and be with you when you heard.”

  “Oh.”

  “Hi Tammy,” Jared said. “We were about to sit down.”

  “He better be okay,” Tammy growled at Jared as if it was his fault Mike had been shot. Jared just smiled and held out his arm in Cooper’s direction, silently suggesting she join them.

  Cassie followed Cooper to a corner where a dark, handsome man sat.

  “Hello, querida. I’m Laredo.” He might have a blinding grin that would turn any woman’s head, but all Cassie could think about was Mike.

  “I’m sorry. You know me?”

  “Only your name. Everyone at the station knows your name.”

  She wasn’t sure if she should be embarrassed, but she didn’t care.

  “Don’t look so glum. Mike’s as strong as an ox.” Cooper directed her to sit down. “Shep’s back there with him.”

  “He’s probably giving the doctors a fit and that’s why it’s taking so long.” Laredo grinned. She knew he was trying to cheer her up.

  “How long have you been here?”

  “A couple hours. Usually they take care of us pretty quick. But Mike was being impossible and Shep had to go calm him down.”

  She twisted her hands together to keep from shaking. If Mike was giving the doctors a hard time, then his injury might not be too severe. But until she saw Mike with her own eyes, she would not relax. At the moment, she wanted to scream. To run up and down the lighted hallway, venting, doing something. Anything but waiting, which drove her nuts.

  A Styrofoam cup, steam rising from the top, entered her vision. She glanced up, seeing Jared’s concerned expression. Coffee would make her heart pound faster. She couldn’t risk it jumping out of her chest. Shit. She needed something to calm her.

  Before she could say anything, Shep came strolling into the waiting area. Every member of the team stood and gathered around expectantly.

  “He’s fine. He’s being an ass. The doctor wants to keep him overnight for observation, but he’s determined to leave.” Shep stared at Cassie. “Maybe you can make him listen to the doctor.”

  Knowing Mike was awake and impatient to leave the hospital sent a rush of relief through her veins. A strong arm came around her shoulders just as she wobbled. She leaned into Jared, glad for his strength and comfort. For without it, her legs might not have held her.

  “Cassie?”

  She lifted her gaze to Jared.

  “Did you understand Shep? You can see him.”

  She squared her shoulders and took a deep breath.

  Mess or not, Mike Armstrong, here I come. What you see is what you get.

  ***

  No matter how hard he tried, Mike couldn’t get up without nausea hitting his gut. Damn, he hated weakness. But he knew he was lucky to be alive. The ringing in his head was a damn nuisance. It had started on the way to the hospital and had gotten worse after the stitches.

  “Mr. Armstrong. If you try to stand up again, I’m going to tie you down.” The nurse was such a little thing.

  “Don’t worry. I don’t plan to humiliate myself by falling on my face. How long before the dizziness will pass?”

  “That’s why we need to monitor you.”

  The curtain moved and the face he’d been longing for emerged.

  Cassie.

  Afraid he was dreaming, he stared, willing the angel not to disappear. Red-rimmed eyes, hair hanging in disarray, she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. Even in her disheveled state, she was a stunner.

  “He’s all yours, honey,” the nurse said. “He needs to stay off his feet.”

  “Mike.” Cassie sniffed and her bottom lip trembled.

  “I’m fine.” He held his arms open.

  She rushed to his side, and stopped within inches. “I was so scared.”

  “It’s okay to touch me.”

  She threw herself at him, showering his face with kisses. He pulled her close and inhaled her sugary scent.

  “They’re keeping you in the hospital,” she said on a hiccup.

  “Not if I have anything to say about it.”

  “You don’t.” She pulled back and glared at him, anger evident in every muscle in her gorgeous body. “You’re staying and that’s that. Overnight. You can leave in the morning.”

  Bossy little thing. He’d leave now if he thought he could stand.

  “I’m staying with you.” Her fingers stroked his hair, which had to spike in every direction. Something else spiked too. All she had to do was touch him and he hungered for her.

  I’m staying with you.

  “In that case, come on up here, darlin’.” He reached out, lifting her onto his lap and she squealed. Then calmed. Her glassy, green eyes took on a jade hue, expressing such love his mouth went dry.

  “It’s on the news. They said you were shot.”

  “A scratch.”

  “Where?” she asked struggling to get down. “Am I—”

  “Hold still,” he said at the same time. Then he tapped his temple. “Right back here.”

  Her eyes flew open in shock. “Oh Mike. You’ve got stitches.” Then she swallowed as if a lump the size of Virginia had lodged in her throat. Tears pooled in her eyes.

  “Hey, I’m okay.”

  “Your head. You’ve been shot in the head,” she choked.

  “Come here,” he said enfolding her in his embrace. She snuggled right up. Right where she belonged. “Sweetheart, I’m okay. Don’t think about anything else, but this. Me holding you. Your heartbeat next to mine.” He held her, feeling the steady thump of her heart. He rubbed her back, aware of the change in her body. Her pulse slowing, her breath calming, tension gradually slipping away.

  “The guys are here.” She sniffed. “All of them. They let me come back first.”

  “They can go home. You’re the only one I need.”

  She shifted, lifting her head to meet his face. Her smile lit up the room. She glowed like he’d just given her the world.

  “They’ve been waiting. Your team is worried about you. I’ll go get them.”

  When she moved to get down, he tightened his arms. She wasn’t going anywhere.

  “Let me down,” she said with a delightful laugh. “I promise I’ll come back. I’m not leaving you.”

  Her words pierced his soul. I’m not leaving you. Ever? Would she promise? Would she stay with him forever?

  “iOye.” Laredo stepped around the curtain.

  “Just what you’d expect,” Jared said. “Secluded in here with a pretty woman.” The guys filed into the small space, one by one.

  “She doesn’t look like a nurse,” Cooper teased. “Some guys will do anything to hook up with a nurse. Even make up an excuse as stupid as I got shot.”

  “Let go of your woman and tell us how you’re doing.”

  “Can’t you see for yourself, Jared? Loo
ks to me like he’s doing just fine,” Laredo said and clapped Jared on the back.

  “All right, you clowns. I am fine.”

  “I take it you’ve conceded to staying at the hospital overnight.” Jared sent Cassie a cunning grin.

  “Cap coaxed her into getting you to stay,” Cooper said with a nod in Cassie’s direction. “He also said you needed rest

  Having Cassie in bed with him wasn’t the best concept of him getting rest. All sorts of ideas popped into his head—and were immediately crushed. This was a hospital. That fact shot his lust-filled ideas all to hell. He hated hospitals. Although, he would definitely sleep better knowing she was with him.

  The nurse came in chasing everyone out and moved him to a room on the fourth floor. Cassie had disappeared to the ladies’ room and now he waited for her to return.

  I’m not leaving you.

  The statement was as alien to him as little green men.

  How could he consider a life with her when he knew he’d cause her pain? He was a firefighter. His career choice would never change. How could he subject her to the terror and panic his job would trigger? Was it worth the heartache of knowing she might leave him?

  Tonight, he’d found out his life could end in an instant. Every minute counted and he shouldn’t waste a single one. His time with Cassie was precious. His gut told him to enjoy his moments with her. Life held no guarantees.

  A soft rustle alerted him of Cassie’s presence. He opened his eyes.

  “Hi.”

  Long blonde hair, like silk in his fingers. Green sparkling eyes that smoldered warmth. A face he’d never tire of seeing.

  “Hi, beautiful.”

  She pulled a chair close to the bed and hung her sweater and purse on the back. She seemed calmer, more in control.

  Her tortured smile sliced his gut.

  How could he squander one second on might and if? He’d gone too far, become too invested.

  “I wish we were home,” Mike said taking her hand. “I want to spend the night with you.”

  “I told you. I’m not going anywhere.”

  Those words again, scraping his already raw heart. His wall of self-preservation crumbled.

  “In that case, why don’t you crawl up here with me?”

  She kicked off her shoes and climbed up beside him. With a contented sigh, she snuggled in the crook of his arm, resting her cheek on his chest.