Taken In

Chapter 50

Gabriel's POV

I hear a shot sound through the air, muffled by the screeches of cars speeding away from dock, as Pedro falls to his knees, landing on the ground below him.

I point my gun at Arturo instantly, before I even register what the fuck is going on, firing two shots at him as he runs towards a truck near the bay entrance. My vision is clouded, my muscles feel tense and I can barely move. Realising I allowed this motherfucker to get away with this. I should've told J, I should've done something.

Arms still locked in a shooting motion I fire at him again, this time in anger, even though deep down I know I'm the one to blame. His body jolts forwards as the third shot lands in his lower leg, causing him to fall face first onto the ground. A familiar figure appears from the vehicle, face coated by the darkness, pulling him up into the car before they drive away.

The shouting behind me increases and I turn around, watching J hold Pedro as he violently coughs up blood.

I stand there motionless, before I feel someone push past me in a hurry, immediately bringing me to my senses.

"Are you fucking deaf? I said call Carmen!" J shouts at me again, as Carloz takes hold of the gun I'm still clutching tightly in my hand.

"You good bro?" He asks, and I nod instantly, surprised by his lack of urgency. I needed to be that man a minute ago, but maybe I'm not the man I thought I was.

"You gotta call Carmen man, Pedro's bleeding out." He continues, placing my glock against my chest in a hurry, before he turns to J kneeling on the ground. I call her immediately.

"Stay there, I'm gonna get someone to bring him to the hospital." Carmen explains quickly, talking to a colleague in the background before returning to the call.

"Hospital?" Daniel questions, as Javier looks up at me, clenching his jaw before glancing back at Pedro.

"N-No hospital." He manages to say between breaths, clutching his chest tightly.

J sighs as soon as he hears his response. We all know that taking him to the hospital with a bullet wound is gonna bring more questions than any of us can answer.

"Look." Javier says before pausing to turn to the rest of us. "We'll handle whatever heat comes, I'm not gonna let you die here."

He turns back to Pedro and as soon as they lock eyes he begins to cough violently, blood spattering around his mouth as he tries to speak again. Everyone looks towards him immediately.

"S-Sorry man." He says faintly as he looks towards J, wheezing louder with each breath.

"You're gonna be okay alright? The bullet went straight through, that means you're good. Okay bro?" Pedro nods back shakily, gripping his hand tightly. He's only a kid, he shouldn't have to go out like this.

"I have a friend, they're an EMT." Carmen pauses before starting to explain again. "They'll bring Pedro here under a different name. I'm in charge of the night shift so I'll make sure he's okay. We just need to get him to the hospital as soon as possible."

Daniel and Carloz let out a sigh of relief, and I do too, selfishly hoping I won't have Pedro's blood on my hands. After the shit I did to Breo I didn't figure I could go any lower but I guess I surprised myself.

"You gotta stay with me okay?" J's voice stays calm but I can tell he's anything but that. He taps Pedro's arm but gets no response, instantly gripping his face stop his eyes from rolling back.

"C'mon man you gotta stay with me." J says again, moving his head from side to side gently, as Carloz takes off his jacket to press it over the large pool of blood spreading throughout his chest.