Chapter 3 Helping Him

• RIVER'S P.O.V
• The man with the icy blue eyes, the one who managed to captivate me just days ago, stands amidst the ambush, injured but still trying to fight his way out. His movements are strained, but his determination is strong.
• I glance around, trying to figure out what I can do to help, and that’s when I notice the men aren’t just fighting him. They’re all scrambling to grab something. Mr. Blue Eyes is doing a great job holding them off, but when I squint, I see what they are after. A gun.
• I take in a deep breath, mustering every bit of courage I have, and tiptoe towards the gun, being as careful as possible. My hand vibrates as I pick it up. It is the first time I have ever held a gun. It feels new and scary. But I push through the fear.
• The men are still distracted by their fight, but they won’t be for long.
• “Stop!” I yell.
• All heads turn, confusion clear on their faces. I grip the gun tighter, hoping they won’t notice how much my palms are sweating.
• “Get out of here or I’ll shoot,” I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel. My tone is hard and commanding.
• One of them, a guy with a long scar across his face, looks between me and the gun. His shoulders slump in resignation.
• “Let’s go, guys. But rest assured, Rico, we will be back,” he says, spitting the name like venom. Then, just like that, they scatter.
• So his name is Rico.
• “At least try to hold the gun properly if you want to scare someone,” a deep, cold voice snaps.
• I blink, startled by the harshness. On a normal day, I would have brush off this rudeness, but not today. Not after what I have just done.
• “Is that the thank you I’m supposed to get?” I fire back, my anger simmering.
• “You didn’t do shit,” he growls, his voice laced with disdain.
• “Are you serious right now? Do you even realize I’m still holding the gun?” I point it at him, more out of frustration than anything else.
• Rico strides toward me, moving faster than I thought possible with his injury. Before I can react, he effortlessly snatches the gun from my hand.
• “This is how easy it would’ve been for those cowards to take you down,” he says darkly, “so don’t go around doing stupid shit.”
• With that, he turns and starts limping away from me,leaving me standing there lost.
• As much as I don't want to admit it, and probably wouldn't, he is right.That was foolish. There were seven of them. If they had been smart, they could have overpowered me. But does this guy really have to rub it in?
• I glare at his retreating figure, my anger subsiding as I notice how much he is struggling to take a step. Yes, he is rude and ungrateful, but I can’t just leave him like this.
• I jog over to him, despite how he’s limping away like I’m some kind of curse he needs to avoid. I tap his back lightly, and he turns around, glaring at me.
• “Don’t you fucking touch me,” he snaps, his veins bulging with the effort of keeping himself up. I can tell he is in pain, so I ignore his attitude.
• “My house is nearby. I could help you stop the bleeding before you go on your way,” I offer, trying to sound cheerful, even though his arrogance is getting on my nerves.
• “I don’t need your help,” he bites out, continuing his painful limp.
• I roll my eyes at his pride. I’m not giving up that easily. I jog to catch up again. “But you do. I know how to remove a bullet. Trust me.”
• That seems to catch his attention. He pauses, and after a long, reluctant look, he gives a small nod.
• ---
• My heart skips a beat as I take in his features up close,those blue eyes, now dark with pain. He grits his teeth, his hand gripping my bed sheets tightly.
• “Can you get this over with and stop staring at me?” he snaps, breaking me out of my daze.
• He is sprawled on my bed, completely at ease, despite the fact that his blood is soaking into my sheets. I tell him to sit up, but instead, he responds coldly.
• “Straddle me and get it done, lady,” he orders. If it were anyone else, I would think they were being a pervert. But this man? No, he couldn’t flirt if his life depended on it. “Now,” he growls.
• Like a robot, I follow his command, straddling him without a second thought. I can’t help but notice the intimate position we are in, and my body reacts against my will. I feel a warm pool gathering in my pants. Great River, turned on by an injured man. But he’s not just any man he’s a gorgeous, dangerous one. I try to justify it.
• I quickly get to work, bringing out the bullet, disinfecting the wound, sewing it up, and bandaging it. Rico stays completely still, like a statue.
• If it weren’t for the obvious bulge pressing against my thigh, I’d think he was asleep.
• So he’s attracted to me too, huh?
• I finish my work and climb off him, feeling both relieved and flustered. I gather the supplies and head to the bathroom to clean up, giving him a chance to rest. As I wash my hands, I remind myself that it won’t hurt to let a stranger crash here for the night.
• When I return to my room, planning to grab a duvet and sleep on the couch, I’m stopped in my tracks. Shocked at what I'm seeing now, the bed, left dry, my sheets are nowhere to be found and most importantly the b
• ulky human I was willing to help is nowhere to be found.
• Rico is gone.