Conscience (The Bellator Saga Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

I did. It happened so quickly and we were all on the floor and then someone lifted me up against the wall.” She gulped. “Are those kids okay?”
    Christine brought her left hand up to sweep the hair back from Caroline’s face, then noticed it was covered in red and hastily drew it out of her line of vision. 
    Nausea was not a desirable feeling when coupled with excruciating pain. “That’s a lot of blood,” Caroline said weakly.
    “It’s not. Calm down.” But Christine’s tone was less than convincing, and she looked surprised when Caroline grabbed her bloody hand and didn’t let go. “Those children are fine,” she continued. “You got them out of the way. The police must have gotten to the gunman right after he started firing because you’re the only one who got hit.”
    “Lucky me.”
    Christine massaged the back of Caroline’s hand with her thumb and smiled wanly at her. There was no mistaking it; Christine was shaking. She was upset and couldn’t hide it. Caroline wasn’t sure whether to be frightened or comforted by such a rare display of emotion.
    The other hand Christine kept wrapped around her arm was also covered in blood. It dripped down Christine’s arm onto the light gray dress she was wearing. Caroline’s entire left side felt like it was on fire. She started to feel woozy.
    “No.” Christine yanked her hand free and smacked Caroline’s face. “Don’t go to sleep. Stay with me.”
    Caroline leaned her head back against the wall. Christine’s hand was like a vise around her injured arm. “You’re not being very nice to me, Chrissy.”
    “I’d much prefer if you stayed awake for now. Focus on my voice.”
    “I really liked this suit,” Caroline murmured. “And now it’s ruined.”
    “Or focus on your suit. It’s really up to you.”
    “Do you think my Via Spigas will be okay? They’re my favorite pair of shoes.”
    Christine let out another audible sigh. “You have a bullet in your arm and you’re talking about your wardrobe. Sometimes I don’t know what to do with you.” She was going from businesslike to exasperated in a hurry. “I’m sure your shoes are fine.”
    “I want to check,” Caroline said groggily. She tried to bend over despite the stinging pain in her upper body.
    Christine pushed Caroline back against the wall. “Let it go. I’ll buy you a new outfit the next time we go to Nordstrom.”
    “Liar.” She blinked her eyes shut.
    “I don’t care whether you believe me or not. I’m just trying to keep you from going into shock.”
    Caroline heard a noise and opened her eyes. Jack ran toward her, breaking through the crowd of people who had gathered outside the boundary the police had set. A policeman trailed behind him, unable to keep up. He dropped to his knees on the floor next to her.
    “Jesus Christ,” he said. “Christine, what the hell happened?”
    Christine tightened her grip again. “Caroline is going to be fine, Jack. She decided to play hero, that’s all.”
    He cradled Caroline’s head in his hands. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”
    When had they argued in her office? Yesterday? The day before? She couldn’t remember, and he didn’t seem to be dwelling on it. Seeing the concern in his eyes made Caroline come close to breaking down. She bit her lip to stymie the tears, but failed. They started to fall anyway. “My arm hurts,” she whispered.
    Jack clenched his teeth. “Baby, I know it does.” He kissed her forehead. “But the ambulance will be here soon and you’re going to be fine. You hear me? You’re going to be fine.”
    His hands were nice and warm and she wanted nothing more than to lean into them. Caroline closed her eyes and let her head droop.
    “Keep talking to her, Jack,” said Christine. “Keep her attention.”
    Caroline cried out in pain. Jack glared at Christine, who was still squeezing Caroline’s inner arm tightly with one hand and pressing against her left side, near her heart, with the other.
    “Could