Page 110 of Hidden Justice
Gracie motions with her gun. “Drop it, traitor.”
Swallowing, Tony puts his weapon on the floor, takes three steps back, then holds up his hands.
I’m still staring at her in disbelief when I feel Sandesh’s hand running over my body.
“You okay?”
I look at him. He’s beat to hell. “You clearly haven’t looked in a mirror lately.”
“Justice…” He leans closer, worry lines his swollen and bruised face. He has bruises over his ribs, his pants are torn, his lips cracked and dry.
A knot rises into my throat. “He hurt you?”
Shaking his head, Sandesh rubs his nose across my cheek. “Justice, please. Are you okay?”
Warmth crawls across my skin and down into my muscles.AmI okay? “Yes. But… Shit. Victor.”
I point toward the bloodied curtains.
“Victor? Victor is here?” Sandesh starts forward.
I stop him. “Give me the rifle.”
59
SANDESH
Ihand Justice my weapon without hesitation, trying desperately to piece together how Victor has gotten here as I rush across the room.
Taking over for Gracie, Justice points the rifle at her brother’s chest. “Move back farther so Sandesh can help Victor.”
Once clear of the couch, I see Victor, dressed more scantily than even Gracie, curtains covering part of his bloody torso.
“Fuck, Victor.” I drop to my knees, then begin to make a tourniquet from the curtains with shaking hands and my heart in my throat. This is not right. This can’t be happening.
Still conscious, Victor grips his gun in his hands. His eyes widen. “Got shot, Sandman.”
I nod, letting him know I see it, that it’s true.
Gracie shoves in next to me, handing me a bottle from the rolling bar.
We don’t speak. I pour the contents over my hands, wash them like a raccoon in a stream, then douse the vodka onto Victor. He hisses.
“Don’t move, Tony.”
Hearing her voice, I look over to see Justice has stepped closer to and is threatening her brother.
Tony puts his hands up higher.
I get back to work. I’ve managed to rip some of the curtains, but they’re well-made, and with my condition right now, it’s not quick enough. I turn to Gracie. “Get Walid’s knife and cut strips from the curtains. Let’s stop the bleeding.”
She rushes over, grabs the knife, and is back in an instant, cutting strips. She’s good, making quick, tidy bandages and handing them to me.
We get the big bleeder in his shoulder tied off, and I can see the wounds better. Relief loosens my muscles so they’re warm jelly. I pat Victor’s shoulder. “It’s actually not so bad.”
Victor grimaces, makes a fuck-you face.
“Where’s he shot?” Justice asks, having come around the couch. “I can’t see anything but blood.”