Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 118733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118733 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
“That’s my job,” Kent wailed. “It’s my job to protect her, and she’s . . .” He couldn’t finish his sentence. He was angry and confused, hurt and worried. With so many emotions coursing through him, he couldn’t tell right from left. All he knew was his girlfriend had been injured when she was supposed to be at work. And who was the man? Her boss? Brother? Uncle? The list in Kent’s mind went on for a mile, with no answer in sight.
In the time they’d been together, Maeve had never once mentioned a brother or a favorite uncle that she’d leave work to visit. She’d told him she was an only child who lived with her parents uptown. The site of the accident wasn’t anywhere near her office either. The more Kent thought about the sight unfolding in front of him, the more questions he had.
Damian and Isha laid Maeve onto the backboard, strapped her in, and carried her to the stretcher. Kent followed, with Reeva hot on his tail. “I’m riding with her,” Kent said as he climbed in behind Isha. Damian said nothing as he slammed the doors shut, and Reeva sped toward the hospital.
EIGHT
“You have to let me work,” Isha told Kent. He gave her the space she needed to monitor Maeve. Kent held her hand and gave Isha pertinent information about her while he stroked her hair, careful not to put any pressure on her neck.
“Show me those beautiful blue eyes, Maeve.” The desperation in Kent’s voice filled the small box.
“She has good vitals,” Isha told him. “She’s in shock.”
“I need to know she’s okay.” He gazed at Maeve and tried not to think about the man in the car. There was a plausible explanation, and she’d let him know what it was as soon as she woke up. They turned the corner, and Kent told Maeve they were almost at the hospital. Today was the first day in his career when he hated his job. He wasn’t allowed to do what he had trained his entire adult life for, and he didn’t know how to process the fact he felt like a failure. When someone he loved needed him the most, he couldn’t function properly.
Maeve opened her eyes, much to the delight of Kent. He greeted her with unshed tears in his eyes and reassured her everything was going to be all right. She lifted her hand and cupped his cheek. She mouthed, “I’m sorry,” and Kent shook his head. “Later,” he told her as he kissed her hand.
Kent felt an overwhelming sense of relief at seeing Maeve’s eyes, but that soon dissipated when she closed them again. He said her name, but she didn’t wake. He shook her a little, but still nothing. Isha checked her vitals. Maeve’s heartbeat was strong, and Isha assured Kent that she was probably in shock.
They arrived at the emergency room entrance. Kent exited first and allowed Isha and Reeva to do their jobs. He kept his hands in his pockets, afraid he might try to help his coworkers, until they were ready to take Maeve into the ED. Kent trailed behind them, but stayed close enough that he hoped Maeve knew he was there. Because of his uniform, he was able to follow them into the trauma room, where he stayed while Isha gave the RN the rundown. Kent never took his eyes off Maeve until Dr. Molina’s voice rang out.
“What’s going on here?”
“Kent was just leaving,” Isha said as she pulled him away from Maeve.
Kent shifted his weight and refused to move. “This is my girlfriend, Maeve Hickman.”
“I’ll let you know when I’m done,” Dr. Molina said. She didn’t have to tell Kent to leave, but the pointed look she gave him and the door spoke volumes.
Seconds turned into anguished minutes. Kent drummed his fingers on the Formica countertop, and when that didn’t curb his anxiety, he paced. The driver from the other car finally arrived. He was alert and talkative and had a bandage over his head. Kent could read the police report later to find out who was at fault. His gut said this guy was. As soon as that thought entered his mind, his blood boiled with rage. Why were people so careless?
Finally, Dr. Molina came out of the trauma room and headed toward Kent. “Maeve’s unconscious. They’re taking her for a CT scan right now. I’ll let you know when you’re able to go in and see her. Have you called her parents?”
“No, not yet. They’re traveling, I think.” Kent thought they were, but had no clue since Maeve said she’d had dinner with her mom the other night. “I’ll call them.”
Dr. Molina placed her hand on his bicep and gave a reassuring squeeze. “She’ll be fine. This is her body’s way of healing. Before they take her, I have to ask—is there a chance she might be pregnant?”