✔Vengeful Valentine

Three: Adam

Everly's the best thing that ever happened to me. I couldn't lose her.

An army of white coats rushed her into surgery, shoving me aside when I tried to follow them down the hall. The ride on the ambulance had been the most terrifying thing I'd ever experienced. She lost so much blood. I was surprised she remained conscious the entire time.

Everly was the strongest woman I knew. Watching her sob and plead with God not to let her die broke my heart. All I could do was hold her hand and give her empty promises that I wouldn't allow that to happen. She wanted me to stay by her side. Despite how brave she was, she was just as terrified as me. And I broke my promise. The doctors and nurses wouldn't grant me access to the operating room, which was understandable. But so damn infuriating.

I spent hours pacing the ER hallway. After pestering every nurse and doctor I could find, nobody gave me the answers I needed. Critical but stable. They kept repeating that every time I asked. A nurse suggested I should sit and get a coffee to calm down. My girlfriend was possibly dying and so was our baby. I didn't need a fucking coffee. I needed to see her beautiful face and hold her in my arms again.

Kicking the vending machine, I scared the living hell out of a timid nurse. How the hell could I be so stupid? I should've realized someone followed us. I should've defended Everly and caught the culprit. What kind of pathetic excuse of a man was I if I couldn't keep her safe?

The doors to the waiting area burst open, making me jump. I turned around, frowning. Just the man I didn't want to see.

Emmett Larson stormed up to me, wearing a fancy blue suit. I met his angry glare. I knew he was high from his bloodshot eyes and enlarged pupils. Being around them so much made it obvious to tell. To be honest, I couldn't remember a time being around him when he wasn't tweaked out.

He brought his partner, Kazimir Vassiliev with him. Lord knew his last name was difficult to pronounce. His dad was from Russia. Colorful splotches of paint covered his blue button down shirt. The short-stack kept sniffling like he had a cold, rubbing at his nose.

"What the hell happened to my sister?" Emmett demanded.

"She's okay, isn't she?" Kaz adjusted his thick-framed glasses, eyes brimmed with tears. "We heard she was shot."

"She was. The driver came out of nowhere and was gone so fucking fast. I couldn't even get the license plate number." I clenched my fists at my sides. "I don't understand why someone would target her. Why not me? Why did they leave me unharmed?"

"Hell if I know. I wish he would've shot you instead," Emmett replied. "We heard about what happened on our police scanner and hurried over here. Why the hell were y'all out at the aquarium so late?"

"Isn't it obvious? We were on a date."

"That place closed hours ago," he pointed out.

"I had a friend who let me give Everly an exclusive night tour," I explained.

Emmett rolled his eyes. "Real romantic. Look where it got her."

"Are you fucking with me right now? You're not really trying to blame me for what happened, are you?"

"It's best for everyone if you leave Everly alone. Hopefully she never wants to see your ugly ass face ever again."

"You have no right to tell me that. The person who shot her is probably one of y'all's clients. So, instead of blaming me, go take a long look in the fucking mirror," I told him. "Your drug business brings in all sorts of dangerous criminals. Whoever you pissed off this time probably came after her."