Intensive Care Crisis. Karen Kirst
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Название: Intensive Care Crisis
Автор: Karen Kirst
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Короткие любовные романы
Серия: Mills & Boon Love Inspired Suspense
isbn: 9781474096942
isbn:
He glanced up into her motionless face. Her cheeks and lips still held the blush of color. A good sign. Images of the burning wreckage and the faces of his unresponsive team members poked at his composure. He had asked them the same question. Over and over until his voice had gone hoarse.
Can you hear me? Wake up. Hold on. The ambulance is coming.
He shook his head to dislodge the memories. Focus, Tan. Audrey’s life depends upon your actions.
Dragging a weight bench over with his foot, he positioned her shoes on the soft pad and, not letting go, climbed onto it and unwound the cables with one hand. The flutter of her heartbeat and small, panting breaths filled him with relief. He kept his ears open for foreign sounds. If the guy at the Mercedes was indeed part of the operation, he’d come to see what was taking his buddies so long.
Finally, when he had her free, he climbed down, hoisted her into his arms and dashed for the women’s bathroom. The locker rooms with toilet stalls were in the adjoining indoor-pool section. These consisted of one-room units with locks on the doors.
He yanked open the door, ignoring the responding ache in his injured wrist, and gently laid her on the tiles against the wall opposite the sink. After sliding the bolt into place, he returned to her side and did a quick scan for obvious injuries. He would’ve liked to hold her, to cushion her head in his lap, but he didn’t want to exacerbate any hidden injuries. Instead, he smoothed his fingers over her forehead and down her cheek.
His pulse raced when she arced toward the caress.
“Audrey, you’re safe now.”
A groan escaped her parted lips. She reached up and would’ve touched her throat, but he clasped her hand to prevent germs from entering the open scratches. There weren’t many. Mostly the welts were puffy and red. Her eyes flew open.
“Julian.” Her brow knitted. “How did we get in here?”
He explained about the thug outside with his flashy ride, as well as her volleyball teammate.
Terror filled her eyes. “Is Laney safe?”
“I sent her on a roundabout course to the office,” he explained. He couldn’t verify that her friend had reached her destination.
“Where are my attackers?”
“One fled on foot, and the other is incapacitated. There could be a third one who will help them evade authorities.” Julian made a quick call to the police. Disconnecting, he said, “Your friend made it to the office, because several units are already en route. We’ve been instructed to remain here until they say it’s safe to come out.”
Chest heaving, she started to sit up.
“Whoa, steady.” He moved to assist her, retracting his hand when she hissed in pain. “What’s wrong with your shoulder?”
Easing to a sitting position, she rested her head against the wall and balanced herself with both palms on the floor. “I got in the way of a barbell.”
Julian shifted closer and lifted her sleeve. The flesh was a mass of dark purple. Concealing a burst of anger, he said evenly, “You’ll need to get that examined.”
She gingerly rotated her shoulder and raised her arm up and down. “Doesn’t feel broken.”
“Still, I’m calling for an ambulance.” He took out his cell.
“No.” Her fingers closed over his wrist. “I’m not going to the hospital.”
The entreaty in her eyes was at odds with the militant angle of her chin.
“After what you’ve endured, you need to be evaluated by a physician. At the very least, you’ll need X-rays of that arm and shoulder.”
Her fingertips pressed into his pulse point. “This is personal, Julian. I want to decide who knows and who doesn’t. If I go there for treatment, every employee will be talking about it.”
A shiver ripped through her, and he noticed how cold her fingers were. Tucking away his cell, he covered her fingers with his hand and tried to warm them.
“I can take you to Wilmington.”
“I’m fine.” She studied his face and sighed. “If it’ll make you feel better, I’ll call Lincoln. He’s a surgeon and good friend.”
Julian refused to give voice to curiosity. Whether or not she had a boyfriend was none of his business. “Call him.”
“I’ll ask him to come to my apartment.”
“Make it my apartment.”
The protest brewing on her lips died a quick death. “I can’t stay in mine, can I?”
“Not anytime soon. You’re welcome to my guest bedroom as long as you need it.”
Her mouth twisted. “That would mean dragging you deeper into this. Putting you in harm’s way. I’ll go to a hotel—”
“I’m already in this with you.” The thought of Audrey facing these monsters alone was untenable. “I’ve thwarted the enemy’s plans. I’ve wounded two of their own. My name’s on the hit list along with yours.”
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “You did that for me.”
“I’d do it again if it meant saving you.”
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