Page 77 of Rangers Last Promise

Mara steps between my knees and examines the wound along my ribs.

Whatever humor was in her face disappears.

The bullet carved a shallow path along my right side. It bled more than the injury deserved, but the bleeding has slowed.

Her fingers hover near my skin.

“This looks painful.”

“I’ve had worse.”

“That seems to be everyone's favorite sentence tonight.”

“You said your cut was nothing.”

“I was wrong.”

I glance at the small bandage near her hairline.

“You admitting that should probably be documented.”

“Keep talking, and I’ll use alcohol instead of saline.”

I almost smile.

Almost.

She notices.

Her mouth curves.

There’s something dangerous about Mara Ellis when she smiles at me.

More dangerous than Hampton’s gun.

Because I know what to do with a gun.

I have no idea what to do with this.

She wets a gauze pad and begins cleaning the blood from my side.

Her touch is careful.

Gentler than I expected.

“You really do have steady hands.”

“I told you.”

“Grant said the same thing about you.”

Her hand stops.

“What?”

I should leave it alone.

Instead, I give her something I should have given her fifteen years ago.