Chapter 172

Mason's POV

I’ve still got the phone pressed to my ear, the dispatcher’s voice in my head asking too many damn questions while I’m trying to keep track of a scene that’s unraveling faster than I can ground it.

Theo’s lying there on the floor in a growing pool of blood. Nathan’s crouched beside him, face tight, jaw locked, both hands pressed against the wound like he’s trying to will the bleeding to stop. Harper’s still curled over Theo, shaking, crying, and wearing nothing but one of his shirts, barely long enough to cover the mess.

She’s a wreck. But she’s holding him like if she lets go, he’ll vanish right out from under her.

I glance at her, then sigh. “Baby girl.”

She doesn’t even look at me, just keeps whispering his name like her voice alone can drag him back to her.