Bennett swallowed, looking frustrated. “Ajay’s family —”
“We’ll inform them. Go.”
Killian gripped Hadley’s shoulders, his sharp gaze on her face. “Do you need anything?”
She shook her head.
Bennett pulled out his phone and called Henry. She shivered, starting to feel cold now. They moved away from the main blast area, trying not to attract any attention.
A jacket settled over her shoulders, and she smiled at Bennett, but then her vision wavered.
He frowned. “Hadley? Are you okay?”
“Yes—”
Pain ripped through her thigh, turning to a sharp burn. Her knees buckled.
“Shit.” He caught her, then lowered her to the ground. “What’s wrong?”
“I…don’t know. My thigh.”
His hands ran up her leg, pushing her dress out of the way.
“There’s a cut in your dress.Dammit. And it’s wet. The black color hid the blood.” He bared her leg. A one-inch piece of steel was embedded in her skin, and her thigh was covered in blood.
He hissed out a breath. “I’ll get a medic—”
“No.” She gripped his wrist. “Pull it out and put pressure on it. We need to get out of here.”
A muscle worked in his jaw.
“Please, Bennett. You can clean this up. The last thing we need is for both of us to be splashed in the press. It will jeopardize the mission.”
He was silent.
“Please?”
“Fine.” He sounded like he was talking through clenched teeth. “If it gets worse, you’re going to the hospital.”
She nodded tiredly.
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yes.”
He pulled the metal out. It hurt and she bit her tongue, but a small moan still escaped.
“Dammit to hell, Hadley.”
She dragged in a deep breath. “It’s okay. It’s not that bad.”
“Liar.” He tore off the bottom of his shirt and wadded the fabric against her leg. “Hold that.”
Then he scooped her up in his arms. She snuggled into the jacket and against the fierce warmth of him. He felt so good.
She rarely leaned on anyone, but she realized she was totally fine leaning on this man. Her cheeks heated, and she knew she was blushing.
Some time over the last few days, Bennett Knightley had earned her trust.