A few seconds later, the assault stops, and I pull Dresden toward my office, almost buckling under his weight. He's lost a good amount of blood.
"Come on Dres, I need you to focus. You're going to be fine."
I lean against the wall, and turn the doorknob, falling into the office. "Don't shoot!"
Vlad grabs Dresden and sits him down as I pull out my switchblade and cut open his shirt. Dropping my duffel bag on the ground, I pull out a towel and stuff it in Dresden's mouth.
"Bite down," I snap.
His eyes widen as he does. I hold my knife horizontally between my teeth as I reach into my bag and pull out a lighter.
"Shit!" I say pulling the blade from my mouth.
"What?" Vlad asks, glancing at me in a frantic manner.
"I'll be right back," I hiss, standing up.
I grab my shoulder holsters and strap them on. I also wrap one of my knife holders around my bicep and adjust the tightness. Shannon is curled in Blake's arms, his eyes on me.
I step over and squat, grabbing his head in my hands. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, are you?" His eyes search my body looking for wounds.
"Yes baby, the blood is Dresden's," I say. Shannon whimpers at his name. "Shannon, you can go to him, just don't touch his shoulder."
She pushes out of Blake's arms and slides to Dresden's good side, grabbing his hand in hers.
"Mein Schatz," Dresden whispers, looking into her eyes. Tears stream down her face as she lifts his hand to her lips.
I pull my gaze back to Blake's face. He stares at me— fear and something else dancing behind his eyes. I press my lips to his, hard, hot, and needy. "Fuck, Blake, are you sure you're okay?"
He grabs my head as well, kissing me back. "I'm fine. What the fuck’s happening?"
I let go of him, and he sits back. The house is quiet, making me uneasy. "Assassination attempt."
I stand and move toward the door, pulling my guns out.
"Where the fuck are you going?" Blake hisses, getting to his knees.
I put my finger over my lips. "I need to get something to clean Dresden's bullet wound." My eyes dart around the room . . . "Where the fuck is Boa?"
"Shit! She's probably in her office," Jameson says moving to my side.
"What are you doing?" I ask in irritation.
"Going with you."
"No you're not, you're staying here," I say, pointing to his seat.
"Lily, you're not going out there alone."
"Stand down, Mamba, that's an order."
Without argument, he takes a defensive position in front of the Masons. Vlad is blocking Shannon and Dresden— all weapons drawn. Hayato and Rhett hone in on the door. Slowly, I crack it open and peek into the hall. The light click of boots comes from the main room. Sammi's door is across from mine.
I close the door again. "No matter what you hear, do not come out."
"Lily, wait," Hayato says, strutting forward.