7. Shot

~ QUADE ~

I swerve to the left, hitting my car into the side of one of the attacker’s cars, the move throwing her against the window.

“Fuck!”

“I’m fine.” She presses her trembling hand to her upper arm, blood spilling down her hand and wrist. Her soft voice is breathy and for a moment I stare at the blond, petite woman.

“You’re crazy.”

“I’ve been told,” she responds with a small smile despite the pain she’s no doubt in.

I can’t help but smirk as I lower my window and fire a round of shots at the tyres of the chasing cars. Satisfied when two spin out of control and are forced off the road.

I press my foot down to the floor, zooming through the traffic with precise concentration. One wrong move at this speed and we could both be dead.

I spare her a fleeting glance, once again reminding me of someone… I turn my attention back to the road, satisfied that I’ve left the attackers far behind.

“I guess we have a little change of plans,” I say, not slowing down as I run my fingers through my now messy hair.

“Oh?”

“You need that tended to, we’ll head back to my place. I have a trusted doctor who will take a look at you. I’ll still get the answers you are looking for.”

“Thanks, I do owe you,” she says, glancing out at the speeding cars. I cock a brow.

“Do you though? You just took a bullet for me.”

“Selfish reasons,” she replies with a small smile despite her colour getting paler.

I don’t think so… it was an impulsive reaction, not a planned, thought-out one; but that only fuels my assumptions of her.

She may not remember me… but every moment that passes with her, I’m certain it’s her… those glasses… the blond hair?

Or am I just being too hopeful?

I don’t slow down, needing to get home fast. Pressing a button on my earpiece I call Eddie.

“Get Luther on call, I have someone with me who’s been shot through the upper arm, appears to be a rifle firearm used, and it was a mid-range shot. Bullet has exited. Possible bone tissue damage.”

“Understood!”

“Wow, you figured that out while driving at 200 miles per hour? I’m impressed,” she murmurs breathlessly.

I smirk despite the dire situation as two more cars come out of nowhere, clearly waiting for me. They try to box me in. Their cars are larger, although that can be both an advantage and a disadvantage.

“Hmm, I think I impress you pretty often, or you’re just easily impressed,” I remark, lightly turning the car and she’s thrown into me.

She gasps as I reach over, holding her in her seat as I turn the car dangerously, causing the two cars behind us to crash into one another as my car spins violently.

I remain calm; the sky illuminated with the explosion as I gain back control, the smell of gasoline and burned rubber filling my nose as I keep driving.

“I’m not easily impressed, but what would really impress me is if you didn’t end up getting us killed tonight.” She chuckles weakly.

I frown slightly. She’s turning paler. Is she hurt somewhere else? Or was there poison? Her eyes flutter shut; she needs to stay awake.

“And if I do manage that, do I get a reward?” I ask, keeping my arm pressed against her so she doesn’t topple forward. Her breasts press against my arm, although I try not to focus on them.

“You’re always bargaining… what do you want?” she breathes.

Stay with me, girl.

“A kiss,” I say, hoping it jolts her awake.

Her eyes widen but a quick swerve around the corner makes her whimper as she clutches her arm. I need to get her home fast.

After a few minutes, we reach the winding path that leads up to my mansion.

“Open the gates!” I command.

The black gates to my home open wide and we zoom through, my valet already waiting. I instantly open the doors and get out, walking around to her side where she’s about to attempt getting out, her face is extremely pale, and she’s broken out in a sweat.

“Sorry, I- I’m bleeding on the seat,” she mutters.

“They’ve been covered in blood more times than you can imagine. Here, I got you,” I say quietly as I scoop her up in my arms. She doesn’t weigh anything. Her small figure fits nicely in my arms as I turn and hurry past Eddie.

“What happened, Quade?” Eddie asks as he jogs to keep up with me.

“We’ll talk later. Where is Luther?” I ask, carrying her upstairs and taking her to the medical suite.

“He’s on his way! He’ll be here at any minute”

“Go see if he’s here now! “I command, making Eddie turn and rush down the hall.

Fuck!

Placing her on the operating table, I feel that my anger has nowhere to go.

It was so close. If it wasn’t for her, that silver bullet would be in my head right now. 

Since I returned to the Steele family to claim what is rightfully mine, being targeted is my new norm. I thought a last-minute meeting at night would not attract their attention, but they are bloodthirsty vultures. My carelessness cost her, and she was shot instead of me.

I clench my fists and look at her curled up on the table. Her blood has stained an area of ​​the white sheet beneath her already.

“Why did you do that?” I growl, making her eyes widen.

“I need you alive to help me, remember? I told you I’ll show you that I’ll be an ally worth having,” she murmurs, her eyes meeting mine, but she’s becoming drowsy.

I shake my head. What am I supposed to reply to that? “Just stay awake,” I murmur, combing my fingers through her blond locks, and brushing them back from her face.

There’s something about her…

“Alpha, I apologise for the delay.” My doctor, Luther’s, voice comes, and I move my hand away, glancing at him as he pulls on a pair of medical gloves.

“Just get to work,” I answer curtly.

“Right away. You may wait outside the room, Alpha,” he says as he begins assessing the wound.

I nod slowly, somewhat not wanting to leave her there. She’s already fallen unconscious. Frowning, I turn and step outside, glancing back at the figure on the operation table.

“She’ll be fine,” Eddie says quietly. I don’t reply; I’m not supposed to care, but she intrigues me.

~

Two hours have passed, but it feels far longer. I ordered for her to be moved to my room once she has been stitched up, she’ll be much more comfortable there.

Eddie sits silently across from me, but he’s wise enough to stay silent. I’ve already sent my men to go find those men or any trace of who may have sent them.

My enemies are countless, and who knows which one sent those men after me.

“May I ask something, Quade?” Eddie asks quietly.

We’re alone and I don’t mind him addressing me by my name.

“What?” I ask, taking a gulp of my whiskey.

“The woman… is she of some importance to you? I mean, you have gone out of your way to help her.”

“She saved me, I owe her this much.”

“But she has a purpose, right? She might use this against you. I know you won’t allow anyone to take advantage of you, but I don’t know, I don’t want her to use you.”

“It’s a deal, we each get what we need. None of my help is free,” I answer shortly. I know why he’s concerned, but only a fool wouldn’t learn from their mistake.

“She asked to meet up and then you guys were attacked, I don’t think that can just be a coincidence,” Eddie murmurs.

“What are you insinuating?”

“I mean, this attack might not be directed at you, but at… her.”

“Time will tell,” I reply quietly. “But I cannot deny that she also intrigues me…”

“A woman intrigues you. That has not happened since-”

My eyes flash and he instantly falls silent as rage ripples through me.

There’s a knock on the door and we both turn to see Luther standing there.

“Alpha, may I have a word?”

I stand up and he steps back from the door as I stride over and exit the drawing room.

“What is it?” I ask. “Is she fine?”

“She’s resting, but I did want to discuss her test results with you.”

I cock a brow as I swipe the file from his outstretched hand and skim through it.

“What is it?” I ask, her wound has been tended to and there’s no concern of any permanent or long-term issues there.

“Well… She’s been exposed to consistent low levels of Elksall for an extended period of time. I decided to do a thorough test after I noticed she wears spectacles,” Luther explains as I scan the results.

“A low amount so she wouldn’t really feel it… but over the years, it has done damage,” I murmur.

“Or from birth,” Luther adds quietly. “Elksall is not something that you can be accidentally exposed to. It’s a well-thought-out ploy. Whoever did this had a long game plan.” Luther admits.

Frowning, I stare at the results before I snap it shut.

“Don’t tell her about these results. I think I will look into it myself first.”

He nods. “Yes, Alpha, as you wish,” he says.

I head back out and motion to Eddie, who is standing there, to follow me. I pass him the file as we walk down the stairs to the main entrance hall.

“What is this?” he asks, baffled.

“Layla Blackwell’s file. Find anything you can on her background as well as who was chasing us. I want answers, Eddie, and don’t bother showing your face until you have some answers. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Alpha, you got it. I’ll find this information.”

“Excellent, then I’ll wait for the answers,” I reply, watching as Eddie walks off, breaking into a run as he says something through his earpiece.

As for my own questions, I will find the answers on Layla Blackwell… one way or another.