The bullet that hit Yael had shattered when it struck her hip bone but luckily only into three pieces. The largest had lodged into her pelvis. One had damaged her glute muscles which made it painful to sit, the other had nicked the external iliac vein. A centimeter to the side and she’d have bled out before Shane could have carried her to the car.

“Like I might live,” Laura grumbled.

Yael pressed the call button for the nurse because they’d wanted to know when Laura woke up so they could run a few more tests.

Laura was recovering from an array of injuries and lacerations and she’d probably have scars over pretty much her entire body, although not on her face. Alex had offered to pay for plastic surgery but Laura was too weak for any procedures right now. They’d arrived in time to prevent Ethan Grice from using any of the power tools he’d had lined up, apparently having raided the school’s workshop.

All things considered, Laura had had a lucky escape. She was traumatized though. She’d cried all day yesterday and had to be sedated.

“I was so worried about you,” Yael admitted. “I’m sorry we didn’t get there faster.”

“I’m grateful you arrived at all. When the room went up in flames, I thought I was going to burn alive and that was the single most terrifying moment of my life.” Laura sniffed. “Anyway, it was my own damn fault.”

“How were you to know?”

“You always warned me of the dangers of online dating. I should have been more careful.”

“It wasn’t your fault. I mean, hopefully the next guy you meet is not a serial killer but I love how brave you are going after relationships. Pursuing your own happiness…”

Laura held herself carefully as she laughed a little. “It’s more the pursuit of orgasms and I think I might give it up. I have a vibrator that’s a lot less trouble and a whole lot more than most of the men I meet, if you know what I mean.” She wiggled her brows.

Yael laughed, the way she was supposed to.

“I’m thankful I didn’t sleep with Owen or Ethan or whatever the hell his name was, but only because he ‘didn’t want to rush things.’” Laura reached for a glass of water on the bedside table. “Ouch.”

“His sexual abuse in prison obviously deeply affected him.”

Laura blinked rapidly. “That’s no excuse.”

Yael leaned over as far as she dared and held out her hand. Laura took it and squeezed. “I know, but I didn’t want you to worry that you’d lost your touch.”

Laura chuckled reluctantly, then sobered. “I keep thinking of that police officer who died on the side of the road after I poked out the rear light.”