Ruxs cupped Curtis’ jaw, looking him in his watery eyes. “I’m so proud of you. I knew you’d figure out what I was saying. You were so brave.”
Curtis squeezed his eyes shut, shaking his head. “Dad does it fast. I was too slow, it didn’t work.”
Green chuckled softly. “Yes, it did. You were able to get away from him, that’s what that move is all about, and you did it just right. Because of you, we’re all safe.” Green hugged Curtis back to him.
“I should’ve never said I knew you guys. I went right up to him when he called me. You learn that crap in kindergarten, not to talk to strangers,” Curtis grumbled.
“Hey. You’re to never act like you don’t know us. And stop beating yourself up Curtis, you did nothing wrong. Absolutely nothing. Believe me. If you did, I’d tell you,” Ruxs said in a strained voice. His emotions still too close to the surface. Shielding his son from gunfire, the threat of losing his partner… and the knowledge that his mother in rehab was fighting her battle against addiction for him. It was a lot to take in all at once.
The paramedics and fire trucks were swarming the parking lot. Ruxs stood up and took a step, his knee screaming at him to wait a minute. Green looked cautiously at him before turning his focus on Curtis. “Stay right here, we’re gonna let the paramedics look you over.”
“I’m fine,” Curtis said weakly, his hands shaking so hard, he was embarrassed and tucked them under his armpits.
“I’m glad you’re fine. But I think you might need two or three stitches over your eye.” Green was trying to convince Curtis as God and Day walked over with the paramedics.
The two men in their dark blue uniforms bent down and asked Curtis a few mental assessment questions: had him recite who he was, what day it was, what year. They took his blood pressure, had him move several limbs, and rotate his neck before helping him to stand.
“You alright, kiddo?” God asked with concern, his voice gravelly but kind and calm, not revealing a hint of unease or anxiety. It’s what made him a great team leader.
“Yeah. I’m fine.” Curtis smiled grimly while the men slowly guided him over to their transport.
Curtis tried to look around at the melee that was taking place in the parking lot. Two cars smashed together, fireman standing all around the scene. Ruxs got in Curtis’ line of sight so he didn’t see anything that would traumatize him later. Curtis looked into Ruxs’ eyes with understanding. Curtis may not know exactly what happened to that gunman. He probably had an idea, but he didn’t need an image to go along with it. The kind of image that never left your mind.
The strong man hoisted Curtis up the couple of steps and positioned him gingerly on the gurney.
“I’m fine, really. Can’t you guys just drive me?” Curtis asked shyly. Ruxs could see that Curtis didn’t want to be without them. But they needed to follow protocol. This was a hostage situation that had been resolved by the Atlanta PD. Their captain would be here any minute. After they got cleared of the shooting, they’d no doubt rush over to the hospital. It made him ache in more than just his knee to have to send Curtis alone.
“I’ll send Furi over. He can be there before they even triage him. He’ll sit with him until you guys get there,” Syn said, taking out his cell phone already making the call.
“Good idea,” Day said. “You okay with that, bud? We’ll all be over as soon as we clean up this big mess you made.” Day winked, laughing when Curtis’ eyes widened.
God popped Day hard on his shoulder.
“It was a joke. Jeesh. Lighten up,” Day grumbled, walking away.
“We’re gonna take him to Piedmont, looks like he might need a few stitches in this. And I think his wrist is sprained.” One of the men worked efficiently while the other paramedic spoke. He had a disposable ice pack on Curtis’ wrist and was already wiping at the cut over his eye.
Ruxs hissed when he heard sprained wrist. He’d probably done that himself when he’d thrown two-hundred and forty pounds on him. Green’s large hand gripped his shoulder, but Ruxs couldn’t bring himself to turn around. Curtis blamed himself, said it was his fault, but Ruxs would have to explain to Curtis later exactly why this was all his fault.
What is it About those Damn Godfrey Men?
Curtis’ mind woke first, but he refused to open his eyes for fear the throbbing behind his eyes would get worse. Turns out, he needed to learn how to throw a proper head-butt, so if he ever had to do it again, he didn’t give himself a concussion along with it. He had a fractured wrist and got four stitches over his eye where he’d been hit with the end of a pistol when he’d tried to struggle. He’d had to stay in the hospital for twenty-four hours of observation.