Page 36 of The Veteran

I shook my head, amazed. How could she be kind even to the man who’d been strangling her? She was incredible. I certainly didn’t deserve her admiration, but deep down, I had to admit, I liked it. Maybe a little too much.

15

KADE

The ambulance arrived first. Thankfully, by the time the paramedics had assisted the intruder into the ambulance, keeping him handcuffed even though they were clearly skeptical as to whether it was necessary, a pair of police constables had also arrived and arranged with one of the paramedics to accompany him to the hospital. I sat with Sage and Vic while another paramedic checked Vic’s head wound.

“It’ll hurt for a while, but you don’t need stitches,” the paramedic told him. “It doesn’t look like you have a concussion, but you should take the rest of your shift off and make sure you have someone around to monitor you just in case.”

Vic glanced at me, and I nodded to show I agreed.

“One of the others can drive you back into town later,” I said. “Just to be safe.”

“Thanks.” He sighed. I knew he still felt guilty that the intruder had gotten past him.

“Don’t beat yourself up,” I added. “It’s happened to us all at some point.”

I meant it, but I was also relieved that I’d been here so Vic’s slipup hadn’t been deadly. If I’d left Sage to the care of my team as I would another client, would she be gone now?

Vic scowled. “That doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

The paramedic shifted from him to Sage. “Tilt your head so I can see your throat better,” she said, supporting Sage’s head with one of her hands while she angled it back. She scanned the bruises, which were definitely finger-shaped. The sight of them marring her otherwise flawless skin made me want to drag the asshole back here and throttle him to see how he liked it. “Does it hurt to speak?”

“Only a little,” Sage said. Her voice was huskier than usual. A vein throbbed at my temple in response. Vic and I had both let her down. Our sole job right now was to protect her, and we’d failed.

No, I’d failed. At the end of the day, I knew her safety came down to me. I couldn’t blame anyone else for failing her.

The paramedic checked her pupil reflexes. “Are you hurt anywhere else?”

“No. I had a fright, but I don’t think he actually did much damage.”

“Good.” The paramedic stepped back and smiled sympathetically. “The same goes for you as for Vic. Take it easy and stay near someone in case it turns out you have an injury that isn’t immediately obvious.”

Sage nodded. “Thanks.”

The paramedic turned to me, but I shook my head. “I’m fine.”

My knuckles ached, but I wasn’t about to mention that, and even if I did, it wasn’t as though they could do anything about it.

“Okay, then. It seems my job here is done.” The paramedic’s expression became stern. “No more excitement from you people.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Vic said with a teasing salute.

She rolled her eyes on the way out the door.

I was about to ask Sage whether she really was okay but before I got the chance, Joanna walked in with Ronan and Willow close behind. Willow flew across the room and gathered Sage into her arms. They spoke in hushed voices and clutched at each other. I tried to focus on the others, not wanting to intrude on their private conversation.

“How do you think they found you?” Ronan asked under his breath.

“I’d say they staked out the prison and followed us from there,” I muttered. “They must have realized we’d question Parrish.”

“If you didn’t see anyone following you, they were good,” he said.

“I know.” It made me nervous. The guy who’d broken into the cottage hadn’t been either Getty or Baker, so I had to wonder if they’d hired a professional.

Ronan sighed. “You can’t stay here.”

“I know, but it’ll take a few hours to organize something else.” I glanced at Sage again. “In the meantime, I’m going to position extra guards outside.”