59
Zeke flinchedas the gun ignited inches from his ear, blowing out the front passenger window and sending blades of ice through his already pounding skull.
Which fucking pissed him off.
No doubt seeing murder in Zeke’s eyes, the guy reared back in his seat like a younger brother who’d finally had enough and fought back, but didn’t anticipate the aftermath of his rebellion.
Gutless little shit.
Zeke ripped the weapon out of his now slack hand and gave him a taste of what it felt like to be cold-cocked. Still belted, the guy hung in a half-seated position with his head flung to one side. Lights out.
“Are you hit?” Liv asked, stealing glances at him, while bringing the vehicle under control.
Zeke swallowed back a bout of nausea. Every movement took an abundance of concentration to keep the contents of his stomach where they belonged. Moving and speaking at the same time required more fortitude than he possessed.
After checking the unconscious man for more weapons, he sagged back into the front passenger seat on a groan.
“Zeke, are you all right? Are you hit?” she all but screamed.
It was then he felt the sting-throb in his shoulder. He glanced down to find his shirt torn and blood soaking the material. “Well, damn.”
“What?” She chanced another look around him and saw the blood. “You are hit.” She stuck her hand behind his seat and fished out a pair of multicolored leggings from a duffel. “Here, apply pressure.”
He wadded up the proffered spandex and pressed it to the wound, gritting his teeth against the pain.
Liv turned right at the next intersection.
“Where are we going?” he asked.
“I’m taking you to the hospital.”
“The hell you are.”
“Besides being shot, you took a hard blow. No telling how much damage was done.”
“Not enough. Get back on route.”
The vehicle continued on its current path.
“Dammit, Liv.” Every word tore through his brain. “We need to get to Callie.”
“I will, once I drop you off at the ER.”
“You’re wasting time. I’m not getting out of this vehicle until we’re outside jerk-off’s house.”
Her hands gripped the steering wheel. “I can’t lose you both.”
“No chance of that. You’re stuck with me. For life.”
“This is no time for joking, Zeke.”
“Do you see a smile anywhere on this ruggedly handsome face?”
The corner of her mouth twitched once before she folded her lips between her teeth.
“Turn around, Liv.”
Although not happy about it, she made a U-ey at the first opportunity.