24. Indy

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Indy

" A lright," Dorothy says as she points to the pan on the stove."You're going to want to cover that for ten minutes so it can absorb the flavors." I nod and put the lid over the meat mixture. I am learning to make tacos for the guys for lunch, something that's a simple task for some, butme andmy terrible luck at cooking has made this harder than it has to be. Thankfully, Dorothy is a saint and super patient with me.

"Thank you for teaching me," I say sheepishly."I always wanted to learn, but my mom was always at work, and my brotherjustkind ofthrew TV dinners or peanut butter sandwiches at me.I get nervous making sure the meat is done and everything."

Dorothy waves me off. "Honey, you got me out of that room and back into my kitchen. This is heaven. Besides, it's nice to have someone to teach to cook. Derek and Jackson were the last two I taught. Theo is determined to live off that damn fast food, and my younger boys will probably starve if they don't marry someone who can cook." She sighs while shaking her head. "If they get married. Sometimes, I think my poor Derek scared them all, which breaks my heart. Those boys deserve a partner, and I need at least one grandbaby to teach to ride a horse."

I smile softly. "I'm sure they will find their matches someday. Derek meets lots of people at the tattoo shop every day. One of them is bound to catch his eye."

"I think one already has," she mutters, and I'm about to ask what she's talking about when I hear the front door slam open and Jackson and Jensen rush in. My heart drops when I see them carrying an unconscious and bleeding Derek.

"Oh my god," I gasp and see Carter rushing in behind his brothers.

"What's happening?" Dorothy sobs as I go to my room and grab my medic bag.

"Tractor rolled on D. The paramedics are on their way." Carter's voice sounds so far away. My heart's pounding as I rush back to the brothers. Derek sits, slumping over the kitchen table while Jackson tries to help hold a blood-soaked rag on Derek's thigh.

I squeeze between the men and try to assess the situation. "How long for the medics?" I ask, trying to feel for his pulse. It's weak, but it's there.

Jensen looks like he's about to cry. "I-I don't know. Ten, Twenty minutes––oh my god, that's… Indy, that's a lot of blood."

"If you're going to freak, you need to tap out," I state firmly as I look at the blood dripping from the rag. "I can't have emotions in here right now. Also, one of you, give me your belt. The medics are too far out, and this wound is bleeding too much. I need to cut off the blood flow." Jensen rips his belt off and hands it to me. I wrap it around Derek's thigh and look at Carter. "Carter, I'm going to need your help. I need to get this tighter than I have the strength for."

"Indy…" I hear Derek's weak voice, and I force myself to stand up and cup his cheek.

"Hey, you." I give him what I hope is a reassuring smile. "Listen, I got to wrap your leg in a tourniquet, okay? It's not going to feel great." I watch his eyes roll, and I slap his cheek. "Hey, hey, hey! Don't you do that! Stay with me, okay? Come on, baby. Look at me."

Derek growls out in pain as Carter tightens the belt. "Indy…" He whispers and tries to cup my face. I watch him trying to lift his shirt and furrow my brows while moving to lift his shirt for him. Oh god. My lip wobbles at the glass sticking out of his side.

"How did we miss that?" Jackson gasps while Carter reaches for the shard. I hold my hands out to stop him.

"Nobody fucking touches it! You hear me?" I bark out, my eyesfeelingprickly, and I hear the waiver in my voice. I pull my eyes from the glass shard and look at his ashen face.

"You're so… beautiful." He whispers and starts to nod off. "Don't… leave me… alone."

"Derek!" I cry out, standing up. "Fuck this! Help me get him to the ground, watch his side!" The guys help me lay him down, and I wedge a pillow to keep his side propped. I look at the gash on his arm and grab some gauze to wrap it up before using my hand to brush my hair out of my face.

Patient bleeding out. ABC. Alert, Bleeding, Compress.

I continue togo overthe protocols in my head to keep myself from breaking down. Derek needs me. He will die if I don't keep a level head.

"I need more gauze!" I order to the guys. "Jackson, keep firm pressure here." I gesture to Derek's arm.

"Indy…" Derek whispers.

"Yeah, baby?" My voice shakes as I look from my blood-covered hands to his face. I see his soft smile and thank god when I hear the sirens coming down the drive. Derek runs his thumb over my cheek, and I realize I've started crying.

"So beautiful… Just wanna… look at you… last time."

"No, no, no, no!" I scream as I watch his eyes roll back. I feel his weakened pulse slowing further, becoming nonexistent, and I look up and shout at the guys, "Watch that glass! One of you go get them in here now!" I scream out as I begin compressions. "You aren't leaving me, Rowe!" I yell before breathing into his mouth. My body screams with every compression, but I don't care. My body will have to force me to the ground before I give up on him.

"You don't get to leave me." I sob between compressions and lean over to breathe into his mouth again. "Not after all of this. Derek, you will not leave me alone!" I hear a small intake of air and nearly collapse on him with relief just as the medics rush in.

The medics come to us, and within minutes, they have him on a stretcher and head to the ambulance. I follow, barely making it down the steps. My brain is mush right now, and my body is screaming, but all I can think is that I need to get into that ambulance.

"Ma'am," The paramedic stops me, and I see his wide eyes. I am probably a terrifying sight right now. "You can't—"

"I would think twice about finishing that sentence," I warn through gritted teeth as I shove past him and try my damndest to get up in the back of the ambulance. My body shakes and screams, and I'm so thankful when I feel Jensen heave me into the back. I thank him as I walk in and sit by his head while they hook him up to the monitors.

"I'm right here," I whisper as I kiss his head. "I won't leave you."