Stryker

I moved her further away as the medic who was with us took over the care of the man on the ground…obviously her father.

My legs felt weak so I dropped to the ground and cradled Evie on my lap, letting her cry until she gave one long shudder and quieted.

“Evie, right?” the paramedic questioned.

I nodded in response for her.

“You’re father’s alive but we need to airlift him to the hospital. There’s no room in the copter, but you can meet up with him at the hospital.”

“I’ll see that she gets there with her mom.”

“Okay.”

Minutes later, I still held her tightly in my arms. My face buried in her neck while I breathed her in.

She was mine now.

Mine to love.

Mine to protect.

I wasn’t going to give her up for anything.

“Jake.”

Hearing my real name on her lips caused emotion to rise up inside me.

She lifted her tear-stained face and caressed me with her gaze. “I can’t believe you’re here.” She reached up, but before she touched my head, she pulled her hands back. “Your beautiful hair. It’s gone…and I’m covered with my father’s blood,” her voice trembled as her hands shook.

“It’ll grow back.” I kissed her eyes. “Let’s get you and your mom up to the house so you both can quickly change before we go to the hospital.” I stood, unable to let go of Evie. “C’mon.”

I noticed Carter’s boss talking to Patrick and Oliver, who sat huddled together. Patrick had his arm wrapped around who I presumed to be his mother.

Until thirty minutes ago, I’d had no idea that Patrick had been the insider. I’d been shocked and I knew Evie would be too.

I searched for Carter, who I found helping Evie’s mother. Millie was on the other side, helping the woman move toward the house.

Carter glanced back and caught my gaze as I followed with Evie. “Meet outside the house in ten minutes. I’ll drive us all to the hospital,” he shouted.

Evie walked faster as I kept my arm around her.

Once the door to her room closed, E

vie stood, unmoving for maybe a minute before she dashed for the bathroom.

I quickly followed and watched as she turned the shower on and started to tug on her dress. “I can’t get it off.” She panicked. “Help me. I need it off. I need the blood off me.”

Hand on her hips, I turned her away from me and made quick work of getting her out of the dress. Before it fell to the floor she’d shoved her panties down her legs, so I helped and removed her bra.

She jumped in the shower and started to scrub the blood from her skin, in a furious back and forth motion.

Shucking the tuxedo jacket, I ripped the bowtie from around my neck, the shirt from my body, and dumped the lot on top of her dress. Grabbing her hand, I stopped her motion. “You’re going to be red raw if you carry on. It’s gone, Evie. Look.” I held her hand in front of her face. “It’s gone.”

Her head bowed and her body shook as she inhaled and slowly exhaled. Then my Evie was back.

“Pass me a towel, please. I need to dress.”

I grabbed a large bath towel and wrapped it around her body, which I tried not to think about. So not appropriate right now, but it was difficult not to.