Read Online Shooting Star by Carol Lynne - Free Book Online

doubt there’s any way they’ll let him fly to Sheridan without them.”
    “Tell them what’ll happen if he wakes up like that.” Brac climbed down. He’d told Kit and Hawk about Jessup’s reaction to Brac’s legs around his waist, so Hawk was at least familiar with Jessup’s mental state when it came to feeling bound.
    As soon as Hawk left the room, Brac slapped Kit’s hands away from his shirt. “I’m fine. It’s Jessup’s blood, not mine.”
    For the first time since he’d met her, Kit grabbed Brac , displaying a great deal of strength. “It’s not all his blood. Now fucking stand still,” she ordered, lifting Brac’s shirt.
    Brac lifted his arm and looked down to see fresh blood oozing from his side. He blinked several times before realising what had happened. For some reason the proof that the bullet had passed through Jessup and grazed him filled his heart with hope. “I’m fine. Doesn’t even hurt.”
    “You need stitches.”
    “No, I need to get to Sheridan,” Brac argued.
    “Not possible,” Ryan said, coming into the room. “Whoever shot Jessup is still out there. Dr Brown’s outside. We can get him to stitch you up at the clinic and on a plane within the hour.”
    “No, I’m not leaving town. Not like this.” As far as Brac was concerned, he was finished with Hollywood. First his parents had suffered because of his celebrity status, then Kit and now Jessup.
    “Be reasonable.”
    “I can’t just run and hide, Ryan. It’s my fault he was shot. I need to go to him.” Brac ran his hands through his hair. Why didn’t anyone understand?
    “I promise you Jessup will get everything he needs once he gets to the hospital. He put his life on the line for you, the least you can do is stay safe until we find this guy.”
    “Fine, then take me back to the cabin. At least I’ll still be close if Jessup needs me.” There was no way Brac would abandon Jessup.
    “Keep your phone on,” Hawk said. “I’ll go to Sheridan and call you with updates.”
    “My phone doesn’t work out there. I always used Jessup’s,” Brac explained.
    Ryan handed Brac Jessup’s phone. “He made a call to someone just before he blacked out.”
    Brac had no doubt as to whom Jessup had called. He clutched the phone to his chest. “Do you think he’ll ever forgive me?”
    “Of course he will, honey,” Kit soothed, taking Brac’s hand.
    “Why don’t you go with Hawk to Sheridan? If Jessup wakes up, tell him I’m sorry, and to please call me when he’s up to it.”
    Kit turned to Ryan. “Who’s going with Brac to the cabin?”
    “It’ll just be me, although I might give Rio a call while you get stitched up.” Ryan gestured to the door. “The faster we get out of here, the faster Hawk and Kit’ll get to Sheridan.”
    Still clutching Jessup’s phone, Brac nodded. “Then let’s go.”

Chapter Five
     
     
     
    A noise woke Jessup. He opened his eyes and stared up at the biggest black man he’d ever seen. Dressed in black with a brilliant white collar, the man continued to stare down at him before finally grinning. “You look like shit.”
    “You’re so kind,” Jessup replied to Priest. “Nice disguise, by the way.”
    “Gets me into anywhere I need to be.” Priest started to sit in the chair next to Jessup’s hospital bed but quickly changed his mind. “Shame about the kidney. Guess I can mark you off the list of potential donors if I’m ever in need.”
    Despite his teasing comments, Jessup could see the worry in Priest’s eyes. He reached out and bumped his hand against Priest’s. The action drew a bite of pain, but Jessup recovered before giving himself away. “I’m fine. Thanks for coming.”
    Priest rested his forearms against the raised bedrails and leaned over Jessup. “Any idea who did it?”
    Jessup had been over the events hundreds of times since he’d woken the previous day. “No, none of it makes sense. I came out of the station and Brac was standing there. He started