The Scotch Queen (Scotch 2)

Thank god.

Joseph rubbed his chin but didn’t give any indication he was in pain. “London, we’ve got to go.”

“I’m not leaving. I’m getting him to a hospital.”

“Are you crazy?” He grabbed me by the arm.

I smacked him away then bit him on the forearm when he grabbed me again. “Leave!”

“I risk my life for you, and this is how you repay me?” my brother asked.

“I told you not to shoot him, Joey! You did it anyway. Now, go.” I grabbed Crewe’s gun and pointed it right at my brother. “Don’t call my bluff, Joseph.” My hand didn’t shake, and I wouldn’t hesitate to shoot him right in the chest if he made me.

Joseph knew me well enough to understand I was serious. “Let’s go.” He led the way as they headed to the entrance, his men following behind him.

I dropped the gun and immediately focused on Crewe, my training kicking in on instinct. I ripped his shirt with my bare hand and saw the wound in his chest. Blood was pouring out, and it was dangerously close to his heart.

I got the shirt off then examined the wound. The bullet didn’t pierce his heart, but it was close enough that I was concerned it had pierced his chest cavity. If I didn’t get him to a hospital immediately, he would bleed out and die. Without a CT scan, there was no way for me to know the extent of the damages. I left the bullet in place because removing it could hurt his chances of survival. I tied the shirt over his shoulder and across his chest, trying to stay calm even though I couldn’t stop sobbing.

Crewe stared at me with indifference, as if he didn’t feel anything. He didn’t show pain or anger. Only indifference. “Just leave, London.” He stared at the ceiling, refusing to look at me. “You have what you want. Just go.”

“No.” I secured the shirt and stopped the bleeding as much as I could. My palms were slick because they were soaked in his blood.

“Just. Go.” With strength that came from nowhere, he shoved me off him. “I mean it.”

“No.” I grabbed the rug underneath him and began to pull. “You’re gonna be okay. Just stay calm.” He was so heavy I could barely pull him. My fingers kept slipping on the material, and my back ached because I wasn’t equipped for this.

“I am calm,” he said with indifference. “Leave me here to die—exactly like you wanted.”

“You know that’s not what I wanted.” I dug my feet into the stone and pulled him harder, slowly getting momentum. I had to drag him hundreds of feet to the other side of the castle. “I need you to stop talking, Crewe. I need to you to stay calm.”

“Trust me, I’m calm.”

My fingers slipped, and I fell to the ground, my entire body aching from pulling him. I turned around and searched for help, hoping one of his men could loan me their strength. “Hello? Somebody help.”

“Just go,” Crewe repeated.

I came back to him, the panic rising even more. “I need you to walk for me, okay? I know you can do it.”

He stared at the ceiling, refusing to look at me. “Yeah, I can walk. But I’m not going to.”

The tears poured harder down my face. “Crewe…”

“Just. Leave. Me.”

“Crewe—”

“Enough.” He silenced me with just a word, his eyes glued to the ceiling.

I ran to the front door and burst outside, seeing Joseph’s men quickly piling into their trucks. I spotted Ariel on the ground with her arms handcuffed behind her back. One man grabbed her by the neck and yanked her to her feet.

No.

I pulled out Crewe’s gun and aimed it at the man. “Let her go.”

Ariel looked at me with a new glare of hatred. It was more powerful than any other glares she ever gave me.

I pushed the gun into his face. “I said let her go. Now.”

He turned to Joseph, who hopped out of the truck.

Joseph stared me down with annoyance. “An eye for an eye.”

“You shot him!” I yelled. “The score is even. You aren’t taking her. Now, let her go. I don’t have time for this.”

Joseph shook his head. “You’re lucky I didn’t shoot that asshole in the head. Be grateful.”

I aimed the gun at this his chest. “Let her go. I’m not fucking around, Joseph.”

Joseph finally nodded to the man to release her. “I’m leaving. This is your last chance to get out of here.”

I watched the guard uncuff her. “I’m staying right here.”

Ariel was finally released from her handcuffs, and the first thing she did was punch me in the face. “You fucking whore.”

I didn’t feel anything because I was numb to the pain. And I deserved it.

Joseph didn’t retaliate.

“Crewe has been shot. He’s too heavy for me to carry. I need your help getting him to the hospital.”