Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
“What the hell do you mean my sister was shot?”
Adrenaline spiked in Cole’s veins, and he started forward, but an armed cop restrained him. “No spectators, buddy. Clear the scene so everyone can do their job.”
“But I’m—” He was what to Erin? Cole couldn’t say family. And he wasn’t a cop with permission to get past the barrier they were erecting.
Shit.
Waiting around helplessly wasn’t his style, but bursting in and getting himself arrested wouldn’t help matters. Neither would having to explain his actions to Mike. He forced himself to think clearly. Erin had been shot, which meant she’d be taken to the hospital, so that was where Cole headed, hoping for information from the family once they arrived.
University Hospital was a hustle of busy people running in all directions, even more so when the ambulance carrying Erin arrived. Cole stood back as they rushed the stretcher inside, but was relieved to see her eyes open. Being conscious was a damn good thing. He absently rubbed the left side of his abdomen, where he’d been shot in the final stage of his last undercover op. He wouldn’t wish that pain on anyone, let alone someone as innocent as Erin.
Mike, who’d accompanied his sister in the ambulance, followed close behind the paramedics through the swinging doors. He didn’t glance around, and Cole was grateful Mike hadn’t noticed him. The other man would have questions Cole wasn’t sure he could answer. Questions Cole had been asking himself since finding out the identity of the gunshot victim. Why was he so affected by the fact that it was Erin being wheeled in here? He had no concrete answers. He only knew that his gut was churning, and it wouldn’t settle until he knew she was okay.
He didn’t know how much time had passed before he finally saw Mike come back out of the double doors. This time, the other man was more alert, and his gaze settled on Cole immediately.
“Hey, man. What are you doing here?”
Cole swallowed hard. “I was with you when you got the news. I couldn’t very well go home without knowing if you needed anything.” The truth, as far as it went.
“I appreciate it.” Mike ran his hand through his already screwed-up hair.
“How is she?” Cole asked, attempting not to show the craziness he was beginning to feel from wondering what was happening with Erin.
“They’re assessing her now.” Mike checked his cell, then met Cole’s gaze. “You know, there is something you can do for me. I need to track down Sam,” he said, referring to his brother. “Cara is out handling a domestic violence call, so she can’t do it for me. Since you’re here, can you wait outside Erin’s cubicle and get me as soon as there’s news?”
“Sure.” Cole hoped he didn’t look as pleased as he felt, being given the opportunity to see Erin firsthand.
“Great. Come on. I’ll walk you back.” Mike led Cole back into the treatment area. “She’s in cubicle three,” he said. “I just want to go outside and try to call Sam again. I want him to hear this from me, and the cell service in this area sucks.” Both of the Marsden brothers were protective of their sister.
“Just wait outside. When the doctor’s finished, you can go in. I’m sure she’ll be glad to see a familiar face and not be alone.”
Cole wasn’t as certain, but he merely nodded. “I’ll call you if I hear something before you get back inside.”
Mike nodded. “I owe you one.”
Cole didn’t see it that way, so he didn’t reply.
With Mike gone, Cole placed himself directly outside Erin’s small cubicle, folded his arms across his chest, and waited. His pulse had sped up, and now his heart beat hard in his chest and he’d begun to sweat. He hoped like hell the bullet hadn’t been lodged somewhere or she’d need surgery to have it removed.
Son of a bitch, who’d be firing a gun in the parking lot of the police station?
He stepped closer to the cubicle and heard the doctor’s voice through the curtain. “. . . bullet appears to have passed straight through, but we’ll know more after some tests.”
“Okay,” Erin said softly, sounding weak, probably from loss of blood.
“Since you’re pregnant, we’re limited to what antibiotics and painkillers we can give you.”
“What?!” At the doctor’s words, the blood drained from Cole’s head.
Before he could pull himself together, the curtain swung wide, and he came face-to-face with Erin’s doctor.
Erin stared at him with a horrified expression on her pale face.
“Who are you?” the man in the white lab coat asked.
“It’s okay.” Erin spoke in a shaky voice. She glanced at the doctor, her hazel eyes dull with pain. “Can you give us a few minutes?”
“Of course.” The physician stepped out.
And Cole forced himself to take the other man’s place by Erin’s bedside. He took in her ashen skin and the petrified look on her face and decided immediately the pregnancy discussion could wait.