The Sweetest Rose-LokixOC

Chapter 20

Cassandra and Loki left the park in silence both lost in their own thoughts. If anything, things were even more awkward between them now. Walking beside her, Loki vibrated with irritation clearly regretting his earlier admission. Part of her wished to address it, but she knew bringing up his confession would only incense him.

She shifted her gaze away from the god who glared with narrowed eyes at any pedestrian who looked his way too closely.

A car drove slowly along the street, a long line of angry drivers trapped behind them. A few impatient vehicles whipped into the outer lane to bypass the slower car.

Outside the park entrance Cassandra stopped at the kiosk and ordered another coffee. "Loki, you want anything?"

He broke out of his trance to answer her. "No, I'm fine, darling."

Shrugging, Cassandra paid the coffee vendor and took her drink. They jogged across the street in the direction of Stark Tower. The sluggish car had stopped about a yard away beside a fire hydrant.

As they passed the parked vehicle the passenger window lowered a fraction. Everything happened in slow motion. A barrel of a gun appeared. Loki spun. Reaching for her, hand outstretched.

A loud crack sounded and then a fiery pain ripped through her shoulder. Cassandra fell, her coffee sailing through the air as she crashed to the sidewalk on her back. The lid burst off her coffee, the dark liquid splashing across the cement.

Mouth opening in a soundless gasp, she looked up at Loki who ripped the door off the car and hauled out the shooter. The agonizing pain paralyzed her leaving her helpless on the ground.

A couple pedestrians surged forward, kneeling beside her.

"Call 911."

Cassandra looked at Loki again through a haze of pain. Holding the shooter by the throat, the god looked like an avenging angel, his elegant features twisted with terrifying fury. In the blink of an eye, Loki wrenched the man's neck violently and dropped him to the ground.

The man's eyes bulged in death, his head turned at an unnatural angle.

Loki pulled out the driver and gave the man the same treatment before running over to Cassandra. "Cassandra!"

He knocked the people aside and scooped her into his arms, drawing out another moan. Spots danced in her vision.

Loki's voice sounded like it was traveling down a tunnel. "Hang on, little vixen. I'll get you help."

Safe in Loki's arms Cassandra let oblivion take her.

*************************************************************************************Loki had no idea where the hospital was. He dove into the first cab he found. "Take me to the hospital."

The driver did a double take at his passengers. The blood seeping from Cassandra's shoulder must have convinced him of the situation's urgency because he hit the gas, whipping across three lanes of traffic.

Loki cradled her carefully in his arms, bracing his legs against the wild ride through the city. Buildings sped by and Cassandra's face continued to grow paler and paler. He pressed his ear against her chest, her heartbeat was slowing. "Hurry up!" He snapped at the driver.

The cab skidded around the corner and the driver did a wild spin, sliding behind an idling ambulance at the Emergency Room entrance.

Loki burst from the car and ran for the glass double doors.

"Hey! What about my money?" The driver demanded.

Loki ignored him, gaze latching on the nearest lab coat. "This woman needs help."