He didn’t belong there anymore. It was time to find the demons and end this.
First he had to get the bullets out of his flesh.
Chapter 14
Brenna stirred the stew on the stove. She’d ordered groceries, and a very nice vampire had delivered them. Moira had called to say they hadn’t found Garrett. She’d also mentioned Jase had been injured.
As a vampire, he’d probably be healed before he arrived home. So, Brenna had made dinner. By the time he showed up, they’d have a late meal. Though she’d reached out to every contact she had in the immortal world, nobody had a line on Garrett. Yet. But she was still waiting to hear from a couple, so maybe she’d have good news for him.
A thump echoed on the front porch. Brenna tilted her head. Another thump. Setting down the spoon, she hurried to open the door.
Jase fell inside.
Brenna gasped and reached for him, almost hitting her knees as she took his weight. He grabbed the wall for support and left a bloody handprint. Bruises and burns marred his face and exposed skin.
Panic shoved Brenna into motion. “You need a doctor.”
“No.” Half-leaning and half-tugging her along, he maneuvered them into the kitchen, where he dropped into a chair. “There’s a medical kit in the cupboard by the fridge.”
A medical kit? Was he freakin’ crazy? Her heart pounding so hard her ribs hurt, she stumbled to the counter and yanked out the metal box. “I’m not a doctor.”
“I know.” Groaning, he tried to unhinge his vest.
She placed the box on the table and slapped his hands. “Let me.” Ignoring his wince of pain, she pulled the Velcro free.
He exhaled sharply when she slid the vest over his head. Wounds dotted his upper chest—two bullet holes.
She leaned closer, and the scent of smoke and gunpowder assaulted her nose. “The bullets are still in?” That wasn’t possible.
“Yes.” Closing his eyes, he reached for the bottom of his tattered shirt and gasped in pain. “My healing abilities haven’t returned completely.”
Her breath caught. “Oh.” After years of being free? What the damn demons must’ve done to him. Then she grabbed his hands and stopped him. “Hold on.” Reaching for a junk drawer, she retrieved scissors and cut his shirt free. Stepping back, she stared.
Purple, red, and yellow bruises covered his torso along with plenty of blood still sliding from the bullet wounds. “What in the world?”
“Explosive.” Jase tipped back his head. “I don’t suppose you’d mind taking out the bullets?”
Bile surged from her stomach. “Why didn’t you go to the infirmary?”
“Why didn’t you tell your family you were dying?”
Good point. “I can get the bullets.” Probably. She eyed the sink in case she needed to puke. Her hands trembled, so she shook them out. Grabbing a scalpel, she peered closer at his injury. “Take a deep breath and hold it.”
He sucked in air, his eyes remaining closed.
She sliced a bigger opening in his wound.
He didn’t even twitch.
Okay. That had to have hurt. She clasped tweezers and slipped them into the hole. Blood spurted. Searching, she caught on something. Angling the metal closer, she pinched and tugged out a green bullet. His flesh made a squishy sound as the projectile was removed.
She swallowed several times and released the bullet onto the table. Then she went for the second wound. “Did you know that my people invented the lasers that turn into metal bullets upon hitting flesh?”
“Yes. Anything that includes altering matter to another state is usually from you crazy witches.” His lower lip tipped on the last.
She found the other bullet and removed it. “You’re just jealous.”
“Very.” He grimaced.
“Do I, ah, need to stitch you up?”
“No.” He lifted his head, desperation and anger sizzling in his eyes. “I can heal the holes now that the bullets are out.”
Brenna nodded and cleaned up the mess, turning to face him.
He sprawled in the chair, wounded and hurt. She shook her head. “What happened?”
“I forgot all my training and almost got my brother killed,” Jase whispered.
“Is he all right?” It didn’t really matter which brother, so she didn’t ask.
“Yes.”
“Then it’s over.” She reached for him. “Let’s get you cleaned up so you stop bleeding all over this too- perfect house.”
He staggered up, and she helped him to the shower, removing his boots and pants.
He leaned against the wall. “Weren’t we just here?”
She turned on the steam. They had been, and she was in danger of getting her heart demolished by the need to save him. The silly, feminine urge to rescue. The fact that she recognized the problem didn’t mean her heart would protect itself. “Get in the shower.”
He slipped into the steam. Almost instantly, two broad hands yanked her under the spray.
“Hey—”
“You’re bloody.” Jase angled his body to protect her face from the hot water.
She glanced down at her hands. Blood had already crusted in her nails. His blood.
“ ’Twas my first surgery.” The smile she tried to force trembled on her lips. Her stomach lurched.
“Easy now,” Jase murmured, turning and holding her hands under the stream. “You did a good job, Brenna Dunne.”
“Another skill for my resume.” The fatal lilt of her voice echoed through the steam.
Jase cupped her chin, lifting her face and removing her fogging glasses. “I’m not going to let you die.”
The world blurred to heated steam and wet male.
“You should save yourself first.” She allowed him to turn her hands palms-up to wash away his blood. “Please.” The plea made her wince.
He stilled, and tugged her hands to his chest. “Why?”
Her gaze met his. Tears pricked the back of her eyes. “I want a chance. I deserve one.”
His eyes filled. “I know.”
“So give me one.” Maybe, just maybe, they could save each other and not be so alone in this damn world.
He studied her until she’d figured all her secrets had been delved into. Even so, turmoil chased across his face. Giving a short nod, he brushed wet hair away from her forehead. “All right.”
Her heart leapt. “All right?”
He shrugged. “All I can do is try. Whatever the hell that means.” For her. He was going to try for her. “I’ll help.”
“I know.” A thumb under her chin angled her face for his kiss. A soft brush of his lips against hers.
Hope and desire spiraled through her abdomen. She ran her finger over a bruise lining his jaw and opened her mouth.
He slid inside, drugging her with his taste. Male and spice. Pleasure and ache whispered through her—from him. They’d mated, and his feelings poured into her.
The vampire held back—and always had. The tight rein he kept on his emotions, on his passion, gave her
