Chapter Twelve

The ten minutes spent waiting for the ambulance to arrive were the longest ten minutes of Allen's life. He held a barely breathing Gabrielle in his arms keeping her awake the best he could, hoping and inwardly praying that she would make it.

"Lord...I don't know what I'm feeling for this girl, but I'm praying for a miracle right now..."

A moment later, the paramedics came to the door with a tearful Patty next to them. They kicked in her door and quickly rushed to her side.

"Gabrielle? Miss Pinson can you hear us?" The taller one in charge asked.

Gabby weakly nodded her head as the other paramedic placed a breathing mask on her face. Allen gently laid her head flat on the ground and backed away so they could get her prepped for emergency travel. Patty cried from the living room as they lifted her to the stretcher and left the apartment.

"What happened to her?" she asked.

"I don't know...one minute we were talking and the next thing I know she's been shot..." he said as she surveyed the window she was shit from. He spotted several holes in the windows and knew a sniper had done this...but why Gabby? She was a sweet innocent woman who would barely harm a fly.

"It's my fault...I just know it is..." she cried.

AJ turned around and looked at her sternly, "What do you mean it's your fault?"

Patty sniffled and wiped a tear from her cheek, "There was a man looking for her this morning...he was about an inch or so taller than you with a bald head, brown eyes, a baby face, but he was well built for his size."

AJ felt his stomach turn over, "Did he say what his name was?"

"No...he told me he was her cousin and had to ask her about a family gathering happening in December."

He gave it some thought and decided to follow Gabby to the hospital. "Come on, if this guy was truly the one who did this to her, Gabby can tell us his name."

"Do you think you know him?" Patty asked as she followed him to the door.

"Maybe, but if that's the case, she wasn't his true target...I was..." he said.

Patty raised her eyebrow, "But you don't know anyone in this town do you?"

"No, just you two. I moved here after I got out of prison." he said as he hit the down button for the elevator. "I'll explain everything in the car but for now, let's just get to Gabby."

Patty nodded and eagerly went with him. On their way to the hospital he told her what happened in his past that led him to this moment in time. She was shocked, but worried that Gabby could still be in danger.

Meanwhile, Gabby had been rushed into the emergency room and then quickly taken into surgery. She felt weak, confused, and most of all, worried about her safety. What if this person came to the hospital while she was sleeping and shot her again? What if they're waiting on her to return to the apartment just so they can fully take her out? So many things were going through her mind that she barely noticed it when she was put under for the surgery. It took two whole hours before she was placed in recovery, and another 4 hours for her to finally awaken.

"Gabby?" Patty called out to her that night when she opened her eyes. "Hey sugar, are you alright?"

She smiled weakly, "I think so...w-where is AJ?"

"Talking to the doctors," she answered, "He'll be in shortly."

Gabby looked towards the window happy to find the curtains over it. "Oh thank God."

"What?" Patty asked. "You worried someone is still after you?"

Gabby nodded as a small tear left her eye and fell down her right cheek.

"oh honey, don't you worry your pretty self to death. Whoever did this won't be getting anywhere near you anytime soon. AJ is making sure of that." Patty explained proudly.

"H-he is? H-How?"

Patty was about to tell her the plans AJ had for her when there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," Patty said before AJ slowly entered the room.

Gabby couldn't help but smile upon seeing him, and Patty could help but notice her excitement. It warmed her heart to know how close they were becoming. She knew Gabby lacked confidence in herself and AJ was just what she needed in her life.

"Hey kiddo," he said as he approached the bed.

"Hi," Gabby responded.

He looked at Patty, "Could you give me a few minutes alone with her?"

She gladly nodded and left the room leaving AJ and Gabby alone.

"How are you feeling?" he asked her.

"Sore, and tired." she said as he took a seat on the bed bedside her hip. "Were you hit?"

"No...I got lucky I guess..." he said. "Gabby...before I came over was someone in your apartment?"

She nodded weakly, "Yeah, my cousin was..."

"So he was your cousin..." AJ said alarming Gabby.

"Yes but AJ I swear I was going to tell you, I just didn't know how." she said.

AJ looked at her confusingly, "What are you talking about?"

"Karl, the guy you were in that accident with about 4 years ago? He's my cousin..."

He got up from her bed in shock, "He is? So you mean to tell me you knew who I was this entire time?"

"No-"

"-I bet you were setting me up to get ambushed by those guys and you getting shot was only part of the act!" he snapped.

She shook her head, "No-"

"-I can't believe I was starting to think you were something special but no! You're just like all the women in the world! Liars, cheaters, and con artists!"

Gabby was shocked. She couldn't believe he had said something so horrible to her. Then again he was a cold hearted man...she knew this when she first met him. However he had her all wrong!

"AJ wait!" she cried as he turned his back on her and stormed out of the room.

Patty watched as he brushed passed her with the angriest face she'd ever seen. She quickly ran back into Gabby's room and was heartbroken by the tears she saw.

"Hey hun, are you-"

"-Just go away...please...I want to be alone,"

Patty felt her heart break even more as she turned and left the room, leaving Gabby to sob in peace.