Page 17 of The Risk

Gene didn’t want to let her go. But Travis Deane’s wife was right there.

A doctor.

She was a doctor at the biggest hospital in Finley Creek.

A doctor. Thank God.

“She’s diabetic. Those bastards took her insulin pump, Deane. I didn’t even know she was diabetic. It had to be at least four hours ago. She hasn’t had any insulin in hours. We just kept walking.”

“I know what to do now. We’re going to get her to the hospital, okay,” Lacy said, as her husband lifted Chantal into therear of his truck, next to his baby girl’s car seat. The little girl, who looked so much like her mama, was sound asleep.

“In the front, man. We’ll just let Lacy sit in the back with your girl. We’ll get you there. I’m going to call the hospital. Have that pain-in-the-ass Alvaro ready. Okay?”

Gene just nodded, as the other man helped him into the truck. His arms felt weaker than they ever had in his life. “Two guys. Had a beef with her brother. Charlie. I heard her scream. I heard her scream. I saw them take her, and I followed. I got her back. I got her back.”

“Yes, you got her back. Let’s take care of her now.”

He had never been as terrified in his life as he was right now—except when he’d had his baby sister unconscious in front of him so many years ago.

He’d felt just as helpless then.

Chantal never opened her eyes.

14

She heard beeping first,then someone talking next to her. It took her a moment, but Chantal figured out where she was pretty quickly. She turned her head and opened her eyes.

To see Hiller hazel eyes staring down at her from a beautiful elf face.

Genny was there.

With Chantal’s mother.

And... in the chair behind where Genny stood, checking the monitors next to where Chantal lay, was Gene. A clean Gene, with combed hair and a bandage over his eyebrow.

They were okay.

She fought the urge to bawl—and lost.

“Hey, hey...” Genny leaned closer. She grabbed a tissue. Chantal took it—in the hand that didn’t have tubes running out of it. “You’re okay, Chan. Safe. I promise.”

“Did... Charlie... catch them?”

“Not yet. But your brother and his friends are looking.” Her mother was there. She leaned down and brushed a kiss on Chantal’s forehead. “As for you, young lady—when you arebetter, we are going to talk about this keeping secrets thing. You should have told your mother.”

She knew what her mother meant.

“I just didn’t want you to be afraid.” Chantal wanted to take care of her parents. How could she not? Losing their only grandson when he’d been seventeen had devastated them. Chantal hadn’t wanted to add to their burdens.

“And you can’t protect everyone, young lady. But that is a discussion for another day. For now, tell this young man that you will be fine. So he can get home to his son.” Her mother shifted out of the way. And there Gene was.

He came closer.

His hand brushed the hair off her forehead. “Hey, honey. How do you feel?”

“Tired. You okay?” He had a bruise under one eye. His lip was swollen. She’d never forget seeing him fighting with that man who had threatened to rape and kill her. Gene Hiller had become her hero in that moment. “We’re alive.”

“Yes. We made it. Met up with Travis Deane and his wife at the highway. She knew what to do for you until we got you here.” His hand cupped her cheek. “We’re okay.”