Chapter 20

CHAPTER TWENTY

GEMMA

Juniper had her arm around my waist as we walked up to her room. She has a suite, so her room is the largest. Willow and Rosie have rooms further along the hallway. I'm sure the boys don't sleep in their assigned rooms. I don't mind. I just find it amusing.

Even as we enter the room, all three girls are friendly. As the door closes, I say, "I'm sorry." Tears fall. "This is all my fault. I knew he was after me. I put everyone in danger tonight, and that poor girl caught the bullet. Luckily it grazed her. It could have been much worse." I choked back a sob.

Juniper holds me and I feel the others are close. "We decided to come with you," Willow says.

"We're in this together," Juniper adds.

Her words of encouragement comfort me, but I can't shake the guilt that's weighing on my chest. Juniper squeezes my hand and says, "You'll get through this. We're here for you."

"If anyone is to blame, it's me," Dodge admits. "I knew the risk, and I wanted him to show himself so we could end this. I didn't expect a gun. I should have, and this is on me."

"Everyone," Juniper says in a firm, commanding tone, "we need to settle down and order pizza and ice cream." She grins.

I notice Dodge rolling his eyes. "Go ahead, but nobody opens the door until I check them out." He pauses. "In fact?—"

"I'll go down and order it," Levi interrupts. "It's the only way to make sure the food isn't tampered with. I'll watch while they prepare them."

We write down our order, and Levi leaves. I look at Dodge. "Do you know how Tessa is?"

"I don't, but the bullet grazed her cheek, so it's not life-threatening." He smiles. "She'll be fine."

We fall silent when there is a knock at the door. "It won't be Levi," I explain.

Dodge stares through the eye in the door. His curse makes me blush. When the door opens, he pulls Nash and Dover into the room. "What are you idiots doing in here?"

Nash rolls his eyes. "Gemma's a friend. We came to check on her." He winks at me. "How are you feeling?"

"I feel numb," I admit.

Dover doesn't speak, but he moves to sit beside me. He pats my arm and smiles. "I'm glad you're okay."

Feeling myself getting emotional, I ask, "Are you sure it wasn't Levi telling you about the pizza that made you knock on the door?"

Nash laughs. "You got us!"

"We didn't know about the pizza," Dover huffs, giving me a hopeful smile.

I laugh. "There will be plenty of pizza if you two decide to stay. Dodge ordered extra."

Dover's gaze shifts to Dodge, and I watch him give my security man a once-over. Dodge is kind of hot with military cut light brown hair, scruff on his square jaw, and no fat on his frame. Not that I'd tell Dario, but I've noticed these things.

Another knock on the door. "Is it our men?" Willow asks, worried about Nikoli.

Dodge frowns. "Looks like room service." He meets my gaze and I know.

I turn quickly to the others and murmur, "Bedroom." Pause. "Please."

They enter, but Nash and Dover remain in the room. They shake their heads, refusing to hide.

"One minute!" I yell.

Nash approaches the door, glancing at Dodge. When Dodge nods, Nash pulls the door open, and the room service cart rolls into the room.

Theresa huffs as she points a gun at me. "I knew he'd screw up. You want something done right, do it yourself."

"Why didn't you?" I ask. My hands shake as she makes Dodge and Nash walk over to me and Dover.

"I tried to drown you, but your boyfriend intervened. Your father screwed up the bomb and fired into the arena. So here I am. I'm not going to screw this up." Her eyes move around the room like she is high.

"What did you take?"

She snorts. "You're not my friend, Gemma. Not since you killed my baby."

My mouth falls open in surprise. "Are you crazy? That was your idea! You told me you were raped, for Christ's sake!"

"You can say whatever you want, but I know the truth."

I shake my head in disbelief. "You are delusional, Theresa. You need help." I flinch. I shouldn't have said that.

Dodge steps in, his voice firm. "Enough of this. We need to find a way for you to get out of this, Theresa, before the cops get here."

"Theresa," I say quietly. "Tell me what's going on. Let us help you."

She shakes her head and chatters on about something. She must be on something.

"You are the biggest threat," she says to Dodge, then to me, "Julian would marry me but for you!" She hisses, points the gun and fires at Dodge. I watch in horror as he drops. Fear bounces around inside me. Dover hisses and his breathing gets harsher.

Levi bursts into the room and attacks Theresa, causing chaos. She drops the gun and Levi punches her in the face to stop her from clawing at him.

I run to Dodge as soon as she is subdued, with Dover on my heels. "We need an ambulance," I yell. "Dodge! Oh, my God. Where are you hit?" I struggle with his jacket, checking for blood.

"Shoulder," Dover says, pulling off his sweatshirt. He pulls out a pocketknife and slashes through Dodge's jacket and shirt to expose the wound, then covers it with his sweatshirt.

I sit on the floor holding Dodge's hand. I'm aware of the room filling up, but I don't register anything until I'm pulled into a pair of strong arms that I would recognize anywhere.

Then I break down and cry.