Moon Sworn (Riley Jenson Guardian 9)

But only after Jack had extracted the information he needed. "How many dead?"

"Seven. The guard by the door, two in the front room, this poor lass, and three others who were running for the back door."

Meaning T.J. and the women I'd told to stay hidden had survived. That was something. "Did you round up the brothel owner? He was here, as well, and he's the one they were after."

"He's scampered, but we'll track him down easily enough."

If we didn't, then the organization behind all this would. If T.J. had any sense, he'd come to that same conclusion and turn himself in. Even so, I reached into my pocket and drew out the scrap of paper Cass had given me earlier. "Here is his address. You might as well add it to your report, because I need to rest before I write up mine."

He nodded and slipped the piece of paper into an evidence bag. I glanced around at the sound of footsteps, and watched another two ambulance officers walk a stretcher past. This time, the person on it was in a bag. I hadn't saved them all. I couldn't have saved them all, and yet some small part of me regretted that. Quinn slipped his hand into mine, gently entwining our fingers and squeezing lightly. Comforting without saying a word.

My gaze returned to Cole. "Have you seen a woman named Cass?"

"Yeah. She went to the hospital with one of the women. Why?"

"Because she saved my life and I just wanted to thank her again."

"Then she's someone I need to thank, as well," Quinn said. "She saved me from having to bring back the dead."

Cole raised an eyebrow, expression suggesting he was unsure whether Quinn was joking or not. I didn't bother enlightening him but simply said, "Did Jack tell you about the top floor? It's bristling with security equipment guarding a phone and God knows what else."

He nodded. "Dusty's up there now, hacking into the system. It shouldn't take him long to get in. Do you want to be advised when we do?">"No. You need to do it. Now."

"But I haven't got any tools - "

"You have hands, Cass. Just hook a finger into the wound and dig it out."

"Oh, fuck." But she dropped down beside me and a hand touched my shoulder. Her fingers were shaking almost as much as mine.

Find something to bite down onto, Quinn suggested. It'll help.

I groped for some wood then shoved it in my mouth as she took another deep breath. "Okay."

That was all the warning I got. She plunged her finger into the wound and a scream wrenched its way up my throat. Everything went red and the sweat on my brow became a river.

Cass was crying and shaking, but she didn't stop. Blood spilled from the wound and pain seemed to consume my world. It was all I could do to stay conscious. Heaven help the lot of us if one of those men became aware enough to attack now.

Then the bullet moved. Sideways, not upward. Not out. White-hot fingers of pain rolled through me, and I bit down on the wood so hard splinters drove into my tongue.

Cass swore bitterly and drove her finger a little deeper. The bullet moved again, but this time it came up, making a slight popping sound as it came free of my flesh.

The relief was almost instantaneous. I leaned my head back against the wall for several heartbeats, drawing in great gulps of air, feeling the fire wash away and hoping like hell the numbness did, as well.

"Thank you," I said eventually, and opened my eyes. Her eyes were puffy, her nose pinched and red, and she was as pale as possible for a dark-skinned woman. "You just saved my life."

"And you saved T.J.'s and ours. A fair swap, I think."

"Yeah." I raised a still-shaky hand and wiped the sweat from my eyes. "But I think he shot some of the girls and the man-mountain guarding the stairs."

More tears spilled from her eyes. She scrubbed at them hastily, then spun around at the sound of footsteps, her fear ramping up several notches.

"Riley?" Cole's voice, harsh and urgent.

We were safe.

I could let go.

Once I'd shifted shape to stop the bleeding and heal my broken rib, that's exactly what I did.