Love(85)

Wilson shrugged. “Sorry. I was texting my mom. It took me a while to realize something was wrong when I couldn’t reach you on the radio.”

Russ rolled his eyes. “Tell your mom she owes me cake or something.”

“Will do, bro.”

As soon as I was released, I turned to the medical crew working on securing Cami to a backboard. “He gave her meth, too. And then he beat her. She was tripping pretty badly. I only hope it staved off some of the pain for her.” I couldn’t stop shaking.

“We’ll take good care of her,” Wilson said and I relaxed a little, knowing I trusted him with my own life on a daily basis.

Another officer released Russ and I went to him, grabbing him in a giant bear hug. “Russ.” I could hardly swallow, as my feelings for him seemed to form a knot in my throat. “I understand if you can’t be my friend after this. I don’t know how to make this up to you. I’m so sorry.” I’d marked him for death. Who could overcome something like that?

“Hey,” Russ grabbed me by the shoulders and pushed me back. “Dylan, look at me. Look at me, man.” I stared into his eyes seeing no blame there. “In my mind, there was no choice. It was always Cami. You will always choose Cami. And that’s the way it should be.” He draped an arm loosely around my shoulders. “I don’t want you to sweat it, at all. However, have the two of you ever considered moving away from here? You know, to a place where people aren’t trying to kill you?”

I knew he was trying to deflect the attention from himself, but I was okay with that. Staring at Cami, who was being attached to all sorts of IVs and tubing—again, I made up my mind right then and there. “As far as I’m concerned, as soon as she’s better, the two of us will be on the next plane out of here. There’s no way I’m staying.”

“Well, if you don’t mind, count me in, because I’m getting a little sick of all this, too,” Russ said.

“You’d come with us?” I asked surprised, figuring it would be a relief for him.

“Hell, yeah. You and Cami are my family. I do anything for you two.” He smiled.

“You’ve already proved that, Russ.” I patted him on the shoulder. “But if you want to help me out right now, you’ll have someone check you out. You’re looking pretty rough, buddy.”

“Shoot, you mean this?” He scoffed. “These are just battle scars. Chicks will dig them.”

I shook my head and guided him toward the stairs, signaling for one of the medics. “Take care of him, would you?” I asked before turning back to him. “Treatment now—jokes later, when I know you’re okay.” I watched as the medic guided him up the stairs before turning back to Cami. She’d been moved to the gurney and was being strapped down so they could take her outside. I was afraid to touch her, worried that I’d hurt her, so I bent down by her ear.

“I love you, Goody,” I whispered. “And on my life, I swear, no one will ever touch you, again.”