Heartthrob (The Bennett Brothers 3)

“What my brother did was wrong.”

“Yes, it was, but he loves you very much. Let’s focus on how to get you help.”

“He gave up everything for me because he trusted you.”

“That’s what you do for love.”

The convulsing beneath my hands begins before the first seize takes over. Ina screams in terror when Carlos’ eyes roll into the back of his head, and I go into emergency mode.

The pen!

I press and depress the pen over and over, yelling at her, “Get over here and take my place. I need to act fast.”

She does as I say, maneuvering behind him and wrapping her arms around his chest. I run to the medicine cabinet, snatching what I need and rushing back to his IVs. On autopilot, I load the medication, tilt his head back while instructing her to try to keep him from biting his tongue, and then I take his temp. He’s clammy, his blood pressure monitor is going crazy, and I can hear signs of distress in his lungs.

A door flies open, and Jay rushes in, gun drawn. Ina screams, and I wave my hand frantically for him to put it away.

“There’s a motion sensor to that wall!” I point to the closed quarters. “Go inside and find a phone that works. Call Mathis and tell him to meet us at the hospital. Medical transport is on the way!” I shout. “Stefan is gone!”

Jay takes one look at the scene and moves quicker than any other human I’ve ever witnessed. The medication works quickly. Carlos stops jerking, his body going into a sleepy state, which is what I hoped for. Slowly, his blood pressure lowers, but it still remains higher than I’d like.

Ina’s pale and on the verge of passing out when I finally look back to her. “You did well.” I try to calm her.

“Is he going to be okay?”

“As soon as medical transport gets here, we’re taking him to the best doctor I know.”

“Will you stay with him until then?”

“Absolutely.”

Jay walks in with a phone held out, his own face pale.

I take the phone, moving my hand to Carlos’s wrist for his pulse. “I’m okay,” is all I can get out before my throat clogs.

“Jesus fucking Christ, baby, we know where you are. I’m coming to you!” Mathis yells.

“No, meet me at the hospital. I’m going with Carlos.” I spout off his vitals like a robot that’s done this a hundred times.

“Fuck that shit. You stay put. I’ll be there soon.”

“Mathis,” I attempt to sound grounded, watching Ina run her fingers through Carlos’s hair. “I swear to God, I’m okay. Please, help him.”

There’s a lot of swea

ring, followed by instructions to whoever’s driving to go to the hospital. “There will be a team waiting for your transport. But, let’s be clear, I’m waiting for YOU!”

There’s desperation, fear, rage, and a mixture of terror in his tone. Only one thing comes to mind to try his soothe his overwhelming anxiety. “I’m counting on it.”

The line goes dead, and I see the phone has lost connection.

“Claire, tell me what to do.” Jay is at my side in an instant, his hand on my elbow.

“He knew you were here. It’s a long story, but do you know where the front door is?”

“I do.”

“Go to it, open it, and scream when you see a transport team. I need to prep him.”