For Our Eyes Only

Chapter 8

You know, the average term for a bulletproof vest is "bulletproof vest". Now I understand why cops only refer to them as bullet resistant.

"Jules!" I shouted.

Completely ignoring all chances of getting shot, Gus and I darted to the other side of the warehouse to her.

Lassie was already kneeling down beside her, speaking to her quickly.

Once I got over there, he stood up and let me take over.

"Listen, talk to her, apply pressure to the wound! I'm gonna go catch that son of a bitch, now you take care of my partner!" he yelled and darted in the direction of Juliet's shooter.

Gus followed him, clearly just as angry.

I looked down at Jules.

Oh god.

Bullet resistant is definitely a more appropriate term.

There was blood.

Tons of it.

She was breathing heavily and her hand was clenched to her chest.

"Jules! Okay, listen! You're going to get out of here! Just relax, think about our wedding! Think about the dogs we're gonna get! Jules, just don't..." I tried to continue, but my voice broke.

I pulled her up so her torso was laying on my lap.

"Shawn!" she half screamed, half grimaced. "It's okay! It's okay." She was breathing so hard I'm surprised she didn't rupture a lung. "Just... the drawer..."

"The drawer?"

"The drawer... Shawn... tell Carlton he's the best... and my dad that..." she closed her eyes for a second.

"Jules!"

They opened a little bit. "Tell him that..." she winced. "I forgive him. And Shawn... thank you."

If I had known this was going to be the last time Jules and I were going to talk, I'd have thought of something better to say.

"For what?"

"Just... for everything. And I love you. Thank you."

Tears started rolling down her face.

I have to admit, I was doing the same thing.

I could practically feel the crease in my forehead crack my skin.

The shooters were still shooting.

They couldn't see us behind the barrier.

Then Juliet's head fell back.

"Jules? Jules!"

I shook her. Nothing happened.

I put my ear down to her chest.

I only heard the empty silence of her non-beating heart.