Page 55 of Reverence

Amala stepped forward, helping me pull it down my arms.

My exposed upper body shuddered as pain shot through my left arm. “That’s the thing, I don’t know. A black SUV pulled up beside me while I drove and started firing shots. I didn’t get a license plate or see their faces.”

She set the kit down next to me, disappeared into the kitchen, and then returned with a bottle of alcohol.

“You can let Asher know soon, just hold on. Your apartment was the closest. I managed to lose them by swerving down an alley and I didn’t want to risk them following me to the hospital.”

Amala cracked open the bottle of vodka, grabbing hold of my chin. “Look at me.”

She demanded. I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the warmth of her hands on my skin. “Stay awake, Valiente.”

I hadn’t realised that I started drifting as I looked up at her with slow blinks. “This is going to hurt.”

She said, holding my left arm steady before placing a clean cloth doused with alcohol directly over the wound. Applying immense pressure.

“Fuck!” I groaned, tossing my head back. The burning sensation shot through my nervous system, stinging my skin while she cleaned around the wound.

“I know, I know.” I couldn’t comprehend the situation or my surroundings, feeling extremely dizzy. “Looks like the bullet is still lodged in your arm.” She released a soft breath. “You’re going to need medical assistance, Ares.

“Shit.” I whimpered.

“I can patch your wound to slow the bleeding but you’ll still need medical attention. I can’t remove the bullet or it might cause severe internal bleeding.”

My chest heaved, sweat dripping down my face and neck. “Later. I need to rest.”

She gripped my hair in her fist and I looked up at her angrily. “No, you need to stay awake.” She said. “Focus on me.”

I watched her intently, her delicate hands working swiftly and efficiently as she cleaned the area, applied gauze, and wrapped the bandage around my bicep.

“Never thought I’d be listening to your commands.”

“Yeah?” She cleaned up, working with haste, and answered without glancing in my direction.

“When your life hangs in the balance, you’re left with no choice but to comply. Your arrogance and ego will only speed up your journey to the grave.

“You think I’m arrogant?” I questioned, my dry throat making my voice sound hoarse.

“Is this the appropriate time to discuss your god-awful personality traits?”

She asked and now that the blood loss had been slowed, I could finally focus on my surroundings again.

My eyes raked across her figure, my jaw clenching as I willed myself to look away. “I think now’s the perfect time.” I huffed. “I could’ve died.”

“You could have but you didn’t.” She sassed. “Unfortunately.”

For the first time since the day I met her, I laughed.

Fucking laughed at a joke that involved me dying. “If I die, I’m taking you along with me so pack your bags.”

“Do you think hell has air conditioning?”

Fifteen

Amala

“I’ll get you a t-shirt.” My eyes lingered on the tattoo on his chest and the full sleeve of ink on his right arm.

Briefly. “Though I doubt it’s going to fit you.”