Xavier snarled, grabbing hold of the truck door as he tried to pull free of Aiden’s grasp. He cursed darkly when his gaze wavered, and he had to fight the urge to black out again. He was weak, light-headed from blood loss, and unable to shift to heal faster because of the bullets Aiden had refused to remove on his own.
“Dammit, X,” Aiden hissed, struggling to hold him up, “stop acting like a dumbass. We need to get into the hospital and let the doc take a look at you.”
“What I need to do is get to Janie before that bastard Brent finds her,” Xavier growled, shaking his head to try and get rid of the dizziness he was experiencing.
“Well, you aren’t going to be of any help to her this way,” Aiden said, tightening his hold around Xavier’s waist and turning to move toward the hospital stairs. “You need to let Chase take care of her until you can. Hell, right now you couldn’t fight your way out of a paper sack.”
“Fuck you, Aiden.”
Aiden urged him forward. “Come on, X. Let me get you to the operating room, and then I will go check on Janie. I will stay with her and Alayna until you can be there yourself.”
Xavier knew it was a big concession for Aiden to offer to leave his side when he was hurt. Even though they were twins, Aiden had always felt that it was his duty to watch over Xavier and keep him safe. The last time he’d been shot, he almost died, and Aiden had blamed himself, barely leaving the hospital room until he was better. But he also knew Aiden understood that he was the only one Xavier trusted to take care of his mate and child while he was unable to do it himself.
Before Xavier could respond, he felt another arm wrap around his waist, and he looked down into a pair of dark golden eyes swirling with green specks. He stumbled, barely managing to catch himself as he whispered, “Janie?” He’d never seen her eyes that color before. He stiffened when his gaze narrowed on the tips of her fangs peeking out from behind her light pink lips. He had no doubt that he was looking at her wolf, one he had never seen in the year she lived with the pack. Why had she decided to show herself now? “What’s wrong?” he demanded, sliding an arm over Janie’s shoulder as he swayed on his feet. His eyes began to glaze over as he glanced past Janie. “Where’s Laynie?”
“She’s right here,” Flame said, stepping forward. “She’s safe. I have her.”
Xavier squeezed his eyes shut tightly, sucking in a deep breath when Aiden moved his arm up and accidentally grazed the wound in his back. His sweet Janie let loose a deadly growl that shocked the hell out of him, and he wished he could see the look on her face. He’d never seen this side of her before, and even though he felt like he was going to pass out, it made him hard as hell.
“What have you done to yourself now, Xavier Andrews?” Xavier heard Doc Josie’s voice, but it sounded so far off, and he could not open his eyes to respond. He groaned, trying to push back the darkness that threatened to claim him. “Shit, get him in the hospital now,” the doctor ordered.
Xavier groaned in pain when Aiden slid an arm under his legs and lifted him. He felt Janie slip away from him, and he tried to protest the loss of her touch, but he couldn’t seem to get the words out. He began to struggle in Aiden’s arms, his only thought to get back to Janie. His mind was muddled and confused, and he could not seem to get a grasp on what was happening. All he knew was that his mate was in danger, and she needed him.
“I’ve got you, X,” Aiden whispered, as Xavier fought weakly to get free. “Everything is going to be okay. I promise.”
Bright lights swarmed overhead as his brother sat him down on what felt like cold, hard steel. “We are going to have to tie him down if he doesn’t stop thrashing around like that.”
“Hush,” a soft, soothing voice said, as someone gently stroked a hand down his arm. “You need to calm down, Xavier. Let the doctor do her job.”
Xavier bared his teeth in what he assumed was the woman’s direction, but she just laughed. “I’m not afraid of the big bad wolf. I’m mated to a black panther. They are scarier than a wolf any day.” A panther? Xavier shook his head in confusion. He knew who she was; mate to a member of RARE, daughter to Angel, and now recognized as the daughter of his alpha. It did not stop him though. All he could think about was protecting Janie. She was the only thing that mattered. She and little Laynie.
Xavier felt someone place a hand firmly on his shoulder and push him back against the table. He grunted as pain slammed through him, arching up to try and relieve the agony in his lower back. “Lay down, Xavier,” Doc Josie demanded. “I need to see what I am dealing with here.” When Xavier snarled at her, his whole body shaking as he tried to sit up, the doctor growled, “Watch yourself, pup. You will not disrespect me in my own hospital.”
“Stop, Xavier.” Xavier froze as Janie’s voice washed over him. He breathed her scent in, immediately beginning to calm. Slowly, he let himself lay back on the cool table, moaning in pain.
“He was shot in the back, Doc.” Aiden was still there. His mate and his brother. There was only one person missing.
“Laynie,” he rasped, struggling to open his eyes.
“He needs your touch, Janie. He needs to know you are with him and are safe,” Jade said softly.
Xavier sighed when he felt Janie’s hand brush his hair back from his forehead, and then begin to stroke through the strands gently. “Laynie,” he gasped again, worry for the little girl in his voice.
“She’s just outside the room with Flame,” Janie whispered into his ear. “She’s safe, Xavier. We both are. Please, let them take care of you.”
“Gun,” he muttered, unable to say more.
“You saw that, did you?” Janie said, a slight teasing note in her voice. Hell yeah he had seen the Glock strapped to her thigh. Part of him had been turned on, but another part of him was mad as hell that she felt the need to carry one to protect herself. He was the one who was supposed to keep her and Laynie safe. She should not have to carry a sidearm, or any other kind of weapon.
When he didn’t respond, Janie lightly ran her fingertips over his face. “It’s just until they capture Brent. I need to be able to protect my daughter.”
Weakly lifting his hand to capture hers, he said, “Our daughter.”
He heard her gasp right before he lost the battle and succumbed to the darkness.