Page 65 of Shadow Redemption

“Ben,” she moaned.

“No arguments. Sam says you need to go. You’re going.” He glanced down at her. “Do it for me.”

“Not playing fair.”

“I play to win, sunshine. Keep that in mind.” When Ruth pressed a kiss to his neck, Ben tightened his grip. If he or Sam hadn’t brought the epinephrine, he shuddered to think what would have happened to Ruth. No matter what she said, he wouldn’t be convinced Ruth was all right until a doctor confirmed it.

At the front of the hotel, Trace waited in an SUV, address of the closest hospital in the navigation system. Sam motioned for Ben to climb into the backseat with Ruth. She tucked a blanket around the shivering model and got in beside them while Joe sat in the shotgun seat.

“Go,” Ben ordered Trace.

“What happened?” his friend asked.

“Severe allergic reaction. Someone got to Ruth.”

Trace glared in the rearview mirror. “How? She didn’t eat anything after we left the suite.”

Joe twisted in his seat. “She drank bottled water. Someone could have spiked it with strawberry. Would it take much to hurt Ruth, Sparky?”

“Not with a severe allergy.”

“Text Nico,” Ben said. “Tell him to grab our water bottles. I want the outside tested as well as the water. Also, have him to talk to Delayne. She’s the one who gave us the water.”

Joe grabbed his phone.

Never again. Ben’s jaw clenched. Ruth wasn’t taking food or drink from anyone connected with the photoshoot. He hoped his team leader got some answers from Delayne. If he didn’t, Ben would have a private, unpleasant conversation with the lady. Someone tried to kill his woman. Whoever targeted her would regret the attempt.

As Trace stopped at the emergency room entrance, Joe’s phone signaled an incoming text. “Nico has the water bottles and arranged for a courier to transport them to a private lab for testing.” He opened the back door to assist Ben.

He strode into the hospital with Ruth in his arms. While the medical personnel rushed her into an examination room, he filled out paperwork for Ruth Slocum. When Zane provided background for an undercover operation, he planned for every contingency. He also had a fake marriage license on record.

Ben hoped registering Ruth under a fake name would keep her location a secret from the media and give her a chance to rest before returning to the photoshoot. No matter how much she protested, Ben wasn’t letting her back on the beach until tomorrow even if the doctor released her from the hospital in a few hours.

When Ben completed the paperwork, he stationed himself outside Ruth’s exam room. After parking the SUV, Trace joined him. “Nothing yet,” he told his friend.

“If Delayne did this, Nico will find out,” Trace murmured.

Ben’s fists clenched, gaze locked on the closed door in front of him. What was taking so long? Even though Sam assured him that Ruth would recover, Ben wanted to see her. He’d never been more afraid in his life with the woman he loved gasping for air. Thank God he’d had the medicine she needed.

“This assignment isn’t just a job to you, is it? You’re in love with Ruth.” Trace stared at Ben.

“Yes.” Why hide the truth from his best friend? Trace knew him better than anyone on Shadow.

“Does she know what she’s getting into?”

Ben stiffened, his gaze locking with Trace’s. “What do you mean?”

“Come on, man.” He shifted closer and dropped his voice. “Of all of us, you have the darkest past. Ruth’s been through enough trauma. She’s not strong enough to deal with whatever baggage you’re carrying around plus her own.”

“You don’t have a clue how strong she is. You and everyone around Ruth insist on treating her as though she’s a hothouse flower that wilts at the first sign of trouble. She’s stronger than all of us put together. Before you push the issue and wind up with my fist in your face, Ruth knows everything. I’m not hiding anything from her. I wouldn’t do that to her although obviously you don’t think much of me or my moral compass.” And that hurt. He and Trace had been through tough situations and firefights together and come out the other side bloody but triumphant. Of all his teammates, Ben had believed Trace trusted him the most. Guess he was wrong.

Trace glared at him. “Knock it off. She’s my sister-in-law. Bridget would have my hide if I let anything or anyone hurt her, including you. Yeah, I’m protective of a woman who’s been through the wringer and deserves better. I won’t apologize for caring about Ruth. Does she know you love her?”

“No, and you aren’t going to tell her. When we’re both ready, I’ll tell her how I feel. She’s mine, Trace. I will never hurt her. I’d sooner slit my own throat than cause her one moment of pain. In the end, she may wise up and wash her hands of me, but I’ll do everything in my power to keep her happy and safe. No one matters more to me than Ruth.”

“Are you going to ask her to marry you?”

He snorted. “What do you think?”