Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 133531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 534(@250wpm)___ 445(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 534(@250wpm)___ 445(@300wpm)
Wilson’s head went up. “What does that mean?”
“It means you wouldn’t do it, so we made certain no one could get to them. They came voluntarily,” Mack added.
“Where are they?” There was demand in Wilson’s tone.
Mack arched an eyebrow. “Safe. I need the room, gentlemen, while I speak with Gideon and the doctor. Marc can show you the report, Rory’s clothes and the photographs we took of her body when we first were trying to save her life.” He waved them away dismissively.
Gideon could see that just the reminder that the police had denied the women a safe house and guards had upset Mack all over again. The moment they were out of the room, Paul began to work on Rory again. Her cough seemed to have become worse. The more she coughed, the more it seemed her lungs and bronchial tubes spasmed. More little flecks of blood appeared on her lips. Gideon tried breathing evenly, using a support method, pushing the images into her mind, hoping to ease the panic building in her. He didn’t dare ask Paul questions or seek reassurance. She needed the doctor’s full concentration on her alone.
Red, you can breathe. Do it with me. He placed her palm over his left lung and inhaled deeply. Think about breathing. Nothing else. Only that. We’ve done this together many times. Merge with me. Stay with me.
He wouldn’t allow himself to feel anything but how they belonged together. How they fit. She seemed so far from him. Then Mack was there. Breathing. Deep breath in. Let it out slowly. Jaimie joined them.
That’s it, baby, stay with me. We’re just breathing. You know how. You can do this with me.
Hard. She gasped the reply.
Gideon felt how difficult the struggle was, as if air couldn’t get into her lungs. Her tubes were too restricted. He felt Paul’s presence as he worked, but he didn’t acknowledge it. His full concentration had to be on getting her to stay with the mechanics of just breathing. She was exhausted already. He was certain the beatings she’d taken had contributed to the difficulties of weakening her lungs even more.
Javier, Ethan and Lucas suddenly joined in. He felt the strength of their combined breathing, pushing the air through Rory’s narrowed tubes with him. Then Jacob Princeton. He was their underwater specialist and had lungs that were amazing. His added breathing aided tremendously.
That’s it, Red. Gideon pressed her palm tighter against his lung. Feel that.
Can’t find air. Burns.
You’re finding it. It just feels that way.
Rhianna and Rose joined them, synchronizing with all of them effortlessly. Kane and Brian and lastly Marc joined the breathing circle from the other room. Through Gideon, his entire team had surrounded his woman, helping her to breathe while Paul worked to widen her airways.
That’s it, Rory. You’re breathing again. The air is getting to your lungs. You feel that, baby? That burn is easing up.
Panic was beginning to subside. Just a little. Just enough that Rory was more aware of Gideon. That’s what he needed from her. That awareness that he was with her. That he hadn’t left her side and she wasn’t alone. The more she was able to see around her, or feel, she would be cognizant of the others aiding her. He wanted her to see that they had rushed to her aid not only to look for her when she had been kidnapped but also now, when she’d been unable to breathe. She was a fellow GhostWalker. Not only would she always have him, but she would have a family.
Rory had to see for herself that his family could be hers. If she never did accept his team for herself, Gideon would have to be okay with it. She was going to be his wife. The center of his universe. He wanted her to love his family, but time took care of a lot of issues. She would have her other friends when he ran his missions, even if she didn’t accept his people.
Mack might persuade her to join them as a GhostWalker on the team. If that happened, Gideon would need to come to terms with how he felt about it. He was protective, and having Rory in the danger zone would divide his attention when he needed his concentration wholly on his work. That was something to be discussed between them before it would ever go on the table with Mack.
Air slid smoothly through Rory’s bronchial tubes to her lungs, and Gideon felt Paul pull back. Paul had managed to open the tubes so her lungs could bring in enough air for her to breathe adequately. The team continued to breathe with her for a few more minutes, ensuring she was able to quiet the spasming and coughing. When the burning sensation had disappeared and the panic had ceased entirely, one by one his team members slipped away.