Page 112 of Loyal
“Ma’am, stay back,” the cop demands.
“Mom!” Farrah rushes into her arms, and I watch as they hold each other tight, tears trailing down their faces.
Worth it.
When Sami pulls away, she dries her tears and faces the cop. “He was shot and is actively bleeding. Someone stuck a finger in the wound, meaning it was exposed to God knows what. He needs medical attention immediately. Let me help. I’m a nurse. Please.”
When her voice cracks on “please” I feel the cop behind me soften.
“He will be taken straight to the hospital. I will take him myself,” he tells her.
“He needs to go in an ambulance,” she argues.
“Mami,the bleeding is slowing down. I’m fine. I’m sure there are other people who need an ambulance ride more than I do.”
“But…”
I shake my head. “It’s fine.”
“What happens now?” Farrah asks.
“Now we take everyone to the station or the hospital if they need it. Then we start collecting statements. Would you like yours here or at the station?” the cop asks.
Sami looks at Farrah. “Whatever you want.”
“Station. If they go to the station, so do I,” Farrah declares.
“Thank you, Officer Davis.” Sami smiles.
Davis. That’s it. How could I forget Davis?
“It’s no problem.” Davis waves someone over. “I’ll give you three a minute,” he says before stepping away.
With no hesitation, Sami walks over to me and cups my face before slamming her lips onto mine. All too soon she pulls away, and I rest my forehead on hers.
“I’m sorry. I should have told you that I saw you before I bought the house and was interested in you even then.”
She shakes her head. “That doesn’t matter. Not now. I might want to talk about it later, but honestly, I don’t care. Not in the least. I’m more concerned about if you’re okay.”
“You took a bullet because of me,” Farrah sniffs.
I pull back from my girl and look at her daughter. “Come here. I can’t exactly hug you, but I think you need one.”
With no hesitation, Farrah walks over and throws her arms around Sami and me. The three of us stand in a circle, my hands behind my back and their arms around me.
“Thank you for not killing him,” Farrah says quietly.
“I knew it would be the last thing you would want. Despite all of his bullshit, he’s your dad.”
When I shrug, I hiss, pulling the angry fucking hole in my shoulder.
“Be careful,” Sami hisses as they pull back.
“What do you want us to say?” Farrah asks as she glances around, making sure no one is watching.
“Tell them the truth,” I say right as Davis walks up.
“Ready?” he asks.
