Chapter Ninety-Six: Blood Pressure

"It's just a graze."

Matteo says weakly as he holds the bleeding thigh.

"How did it feel when the gun went off?"

"Stop talking.”

I say as I scurry off the bed; warm liquid trails down my leg as soon as gravity wills it.

“Ahh…”

He groans as he looks at the fluid glistening between my thighs, his face red and strained.

“I tried so hard to keep it in.”

With a soft click of my tongue, I grab the shirt sprawled on the floor. I barely manage two steps in this body before I require the wall for ample support.

“We need to get...to get someone, press the wound, Matteo."

I say, trying my best to calm myself.

"You can shoot me again."

"What?"

"You can shoot me, Olivia, any time. Just don't leave me."

“What if I kill you?”

“I would prefer that.”

I swallow hard as I hold his gaze, for a moment forgetting the urgent state we are in.

With a short laugh, I turn to the crimson collecting on the white sheets. Shit, he even looks paler now.

"I'll get help."

"I won't die. The bullet jus