“The bullet in her arm didn’t hit anything major, so we lucked out there. Her muscle will take a little time to heal, but no bones, no major arteries hit, so it was the best case under the circumstances.” She wiped at the beads of sweat on her face and looked around carefully, lowering her voice even more. “The other bullet nicked an artery in her leg. I was able to go in and repair it, but she lost a lot of blood. She must have angled her body to protect her leopard. The female wasn’t hit, but Evangeline’s thigh was mangled. The bullet was a through and through and it tore her up, although, again, it didn’t hit bone.”

“Bottom line, Doctor.” He still felt as though he couldn’t breathe. The doctor was giving him the best scenario possible. She’d been hit by or nicked by three bullets and she was alive with no permanent major damage thanks to Mitya, but he couldn’t make his mind believe.

“Rest. More rest. She’ll need care. I don’t know if you can arrange that . . .”

“Of course. When she’s released, she will come home with me. I can hire nurses if she needs them, otherwise I can see to whatever she needs. When can I see her?”

“They’ve taken her to recovery . . .”

“Then that’s where I need to be.”

She shook her head. “She won’t be out from under the . . .”

“That’s where I need to be.” He pinned her with his ice-cold gaze. Deliberately letting her see the killer in him. See the vicious leopard he lived with. The one tamed by his woman, but now restless and moody.

“I’m leopard,” she said softly, “and not intimidated easily.”

He continued to stare silently. She was intimidated whether she wanted to admit it or not. He knew because he’d been intimidating people since before he was in his teens and he could read them easily. She was uneasy in his presence. He didn’t blame her. Most people were. Even leopards.

She sighed. “I’ll take you to her.”

“I need information on Mitya as well. He was brought in at the same time.” He could be nice now that he was getting his way.

“He’s much, much worse, but he has the finest surgeon I’ve ever known. He’s one of us and his skills are without rival. If it’s possible to save your friend, he’ll save him.” She stood up. “Follow me.”

Timur fell into step behind Alonzo. She turned, annoyed. “I’m already breaking the rules for one, definitely not two.”