Chapter Eleven
Natalia
There was blood everywhere, so much blood, tears fell from my eyes as I pressed my hands through Zeke fur and onto his wound. At the last second, Zeke leapt up and the bullet hit his hindquarter.
Gavin was on top of the man he called Roth, the gun was on the floor beside him, but Gavin was pummeling him, his face was bloody, and I heard the crack of bone beneath my Daddy’s fists. I couldn’t bring myself to care that the man was getting beat to death—not while Zeke was fighting for his life.
The front door burst open. Roth was unconscious on the floor beneath Gavin, so Gavin grabbed his gun and pointed it toward the front door. “Gavin.”
We both relaxed recognizing Uncle E’s voice. “Help us.” I called out, Gavin’s gaze swung toward me, covered in blood. His face paled, “Zeke took the bullet. Help.” I cried. If this dog survived, he was going to live the rest of his days in the lap of luxury. I’d make sure of it.
“Natalia,” I looked up, Gavin’s eyes were only on me. “Are you hurt?”
I shook my head, “Zeke. It’s all Zeke’s.”
Gavin nodded. “We’ll get him to the animal hospital. Go get dressed, quickly.” I ran to the bedroom and did as he said, I heard Elijah and Gavin talking though I couldn’t make out what they were saying.
My hands were covered in blood from Zeke’s wound, so I tried washing them as best as I could, but I had to hurry or he wouldn’t make it. Zeke had to make it. He was a hero.
I threw the easiest clothes I had on, not caring about what it was or what it looked like. When I went back out into the living room dressed in jeans and a sweater, no time for undergarments. Elijah had Roth cuffed, and Gavin had his coat on with his sweatpants and boots. He was using the comforter from the other bedroom to lift Zeke’s still form.
“Let’s go, Princess,” he said while lifting Zeke up. I never thought I’d be so happy to hear the dog whimper in pain.
We sat for hours in the waiting room of the emergency animal hospital. The nurse tried to convince us to put the animal down, but we wanted him to fight for his life the way he fought for ours. Gavin and I didn’t care how much it cost. That dog was going to make it. He had to.