Page 34 of Dagger's Target
“You sure about that?” I know Vin’s not stupid, but he wasn’t smart either. He might have been able to do a lot of things, but I know him. I know he can’t handle doing some things on his own. Nor could he calculate a situation like my brothers could.
I don’t take my eyes off Vin as I calculate my surroundings.
Done with the games, I close the distance between Vin and myself. “Let’s cut the bullshit, Vin. You wanted this meeting.”
“So you could die, and I still get what I want,” he says in a rush and draws a gun.
I’m already moving before the words leave his mouth. My body drops low as I lunge forward, both daggers flashing in the moonlight. The gun goes off, the bullet whizzing past my ear as I drive my blades deep into Vin’s sides. He screams, the weapon clattering to the ground.
“Wrong move, brother,” I hiss, yanking my daggers out.
Chaos erupts around us. Gunshots crack through the night as my brothers engage Vin’s men. I hear Gunner’s distinctive roar as he tackles one of the hired guns, while Malice moves with deadly precision, his own knife finding its mark.
Vin snarls, using his free hand to swing at me. I dodge, feeling his knuckles graze my cheek. He’s always been predictable—all brute force, no strategy. I drive my knee into his gut, and he doubles over, gasping.
“You’ll pay for this. I think I’ll kill the woman and child slowly.”
The mention of him killing Katrina has my vision turning red. I don’t see the gun he pulls from behind him. All I’m focused on his killing him.
Moving, I bring both daggers up, taking him to the ground. The gun goes off, a hot burning pain hits my middle, but I’m already plunging my daggers into the intended targets—Vin’s eyes.
Letting the handles go, I fall to the side, hitting my head on a large rock as I go. My world turns black, but I allow it, knowing my woman and child are safe.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Katrina
The smell of antiseptics in the past few days is something I seem to be getting used to as I sit next to Dagger’s hospital bed. He’s been in and out of it as the meds pretty much keep him knocked out.
Fear of losing him keeps a hold of me far too tightly. Boxer and Grinder haven’t been far from me as I’ve refused to leave Dagger’s side. The nurses hadn’t wanted me to stay with him, but I wasn’t leaving. Not after I could have lost him.
The guys didn’t tell me everything that happened, but I knew enough. He’d been shot in the stomach, by a miracle, the shooter missed everything vital. When he’d gone down, he’d hit his head pretty hard, ending up with a concussion. He’d be here for a week, from what the doctor said. So until he went home, this was where I’d be as well. I wasn’t leaving his side.
Boxer and Grinder pretty much refused to leave as well. They took turns going to get rest and bringing me food and clothes. I’m thankful to them for being there for me. I know Dagger’s brothers would all do the same as them, they’ve offered to get methings, but the only thing I needed was for Dagger to wake up and be lucid.
I had so much to tell him. Mostly, I wanted to tell him how much I love him and need him.
I reach for his hand, careful not to disturb the IV line taped to his skin. His fingers are warm but still. The rhythmic beeping of the heart monitor has become my lullaby, a constant reminder that he’s still here, still fighting.
“Katrina, you need to eat something,” Boxer says from the doorway, his voice gentle but firm. He’s holding a brown paper bag that smells like burgers and fries. My stomach growls on cue, betraying my attempt to appear strong.
“I’m fine,” I lie, not looking away from Dagger’s face. The stubble has grown into a proper beard during his time here, making him look rugged even in his vulnerable state.
Grinder appears behind Boxer, his massive frame blocking the fluorescent hallway light. “Dagger would be the first to tell you to eat something. If not for you, then for the baby. You gotta take care of both of you for him,” he says quietly.
He’s right. Dagger would. I’ve eaten something, but it was never much.
I nod and take the bag from my dad. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, darlin’.”
Opening it, I start to nibble on the fries.
After a few minutes, they leave me alone once again with Dagger.
“You need to finally wake up, Van,” I tell him between fries. I set the bag aside and take his hand in mine again. “I’m so mad at you for getting shot. For nearly leaving me. But more I love you so freaking much, and I can’t bear the thought of you leaving me alone. Leaving us. Our baby needs you. I need you.”
“I need you too, baby,” Dagger croaks out.
