Tessa dropped the stake and launched herself at me in a half-jump, half-collapse. When I caught her, she cried out in pain. I froze. “Baby, where are you hurt?”
Tessa’s voice was weak and incredibly hoarse when she answered. “Head. Don’t know.”
I cradled her in my lap, brushing her hair away from her face. As I did, I saw that one side of her face near her temple was swollen and turning a deep purple. My gaze shot to the body on the other side of the room. I wished I could bring that monster back to life so I could have the honor of killing him again.
I looked back at Tessa, her eyes drooping. “No, Tessa, stay awake. Stay with me. I need to bring some people in here to help you, okay?” Tessa started to nod and then winced. “Don’t move.” I looked at the doorway. “Walker, get those EMTs up here.”
Walker stepped into view. “Tuck’s bringing them up. She okay?” His eyes looked pained.
My heart seemed to rattle in my ribs. “I’m not sure. He hit her over the head with something.” I examined as much of Tessa’s form as I could without moving her. Red finger-sized marks stood out on her throat amidst the blood. I cursed. “And he strangled her at some point.” Walker let out a curse.
EMTs charged into the room, and Tessa jolted against me. “No!” She waved her hand as if to ward them off.
I held Tessa to me as I shot daggers at the idiot EMTs for their blundering approach. “It’s okay. These people are here to help.”
Tessa clung tighter to me. “Don’t leave me.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” I rocked her back and forth.
A female EMT approached slowly. “Tessa, we’re going to give you something that’s going to help you relax and ease your pain. But your—” She paused, not knowing how to refer to me. I mouthedLiamto her. “But Liam can stay with you, okay?”
Tessa looked at me, her eyes wide. I brushed the uninjured side of her face, cupping her cheek. “It’s okay. I’ll be with you the whole time.”
The EMT gently took hold of Tessa’s arm, carefully sliding a needle into her vein and starting an IV. The male EMT stood off to the side, holding a bag of saline and injecting something else into the line. Within a matter of minutes, Tessa’s eyes were fluttering, and her body sagged.
The female EMT gave me a gentle smile. “We need to move her now. Get her to the hospital so she can be examined.”
I nodded but couldn’t seem to release my hold. I’d just gotten Tessa back, how could I let her go?
The EMT touched my shoulder. “We’ll take good care of her. I promise. And you can ride with us.”
I nodded again, slowly releasing my hold of Tessa and allowing them to roll her onto a backboard. I watched it all, but it was like trying to see through a haze. Everything was too slow and yet too fast at the same time.
I followed the medical team as they navigated the staircase and moved out into the yard. Walker clapped me on the back. “We’ll be right behind you.”
I jumped into the back of the ambulance with the female EMT and took hold of Tessa’s hand. She needed to know that I was here. She wasn’t alone. Never again.
* * *
I paced backand forth in front of the trauma room door. When the doctor had told me that I had to leave while they worked on Tessa, the only thing that had come between him and a fist to the face was Walker and Tuck. I’d told Tessa that I wouldn’t leave her alone, but there she was, in a room full of strangers. I hoped against hope that she wouldn’t wake up and find me gone. Then I really would deck that doctor.
“This is the right thing. They need to assess her injuries. Take x-rays. Run other tests.” Walker leaned against the wall, worry lining his face.
“She shouldn’t be alone,” I growled.
Tuck toyed with the water bottle in his hands. “She’s not. Tessa’s surrounded by people taking care of her.”
My gaze snapped to him. “People she doesn’t know.” The door to the trauma room opened, and the asshole doctor strode out. “How is Tessa? Is she going to be okay?”
The physician held up a hand. “She’s going to be fine.” My body sagged in relief. “Ms. Fitzpatrick does have a rather severe concussion along with some other contusions and scrapes. She’ll have to remain in the hospital for now, but I predict we’ll be able to release her in the next couple of days.”
I could barely get my next words out. “Do you know, was she raped?” There was a tearing sensation in my chest at even having to ask.
The doctor’s expression gentled slightly. “There were no signs of sexual assault.”
I let out a shuddered breath. “Can I go in now?”
The doctor nodded. “The nurses are preparing her for transport, and we’ll take her up to a room.”
