Page 7

6

Two days later…

“Are you guys sure this is a good idea?” Cade asked the three women on the other end of the call. “Maybe I should’ve gone the more traditional route. I mean, she’s a freaking doctor. She probably expects me to have reservations at some fancy restaurant. You know, with actual tables, and chairs, and?—”

“She’s going to love it, Cade.” Christian’s wife spoke to him through his car’s speakers. “Trust me.”

Aurora “Ro” King—Brody’s wife—was quick to back up her best friend. “I know I only met Kerrigan the one time, and granted, I’d been drugged, but from what I remember, she was super sweet and totally down to earth.”

Rocky’s wife, Raegan, was next in line with her two cents. “A picnic is the perfect first date, Cade. It’s quiet. Casual. And it’ll give the two of you the chance to talk without constantly being interrupted by a server trying to refill your drinks.”

“Plus, it’s fun,” Megan chimed back in. “And really romantic.”

Casual, quiet, fun, and romantic. Exactly what he’d been going for when planning his lunch date with Kerrigan.

He’d tried coming up with an idea on his own but failed miserably. In the end, he’d decided to turn to the experts…

His teammate’s wives.

If Cade needed someone to watch his back in a blaze of gunfire and bombs, it was the boys of Delta Team, all the way. But his first date with a woman like Kerrigan Rawlins needed to go as well as humanly possible. Hence the reach-out to the women behind the men.

Because for her, today needed to be…

Perfect.

It had admittedly been a while since he’d taken a woman out on a tried and true date. His usual encounters the women he saw were going out to a nightclub or bar.

But from the moment they’d first met, Cade had known there was something special about the sexy doctor.

Which, in and of itself, was incredibly confusing.

He’d dated plenty of women in his almost thirty-one years. He even had sex with them on occasion. Not as often as his teammates liked to believe. They were always giving him shit about being a player.

Just like they gave him shit about being the youngest member of Delta Team. Which was such total bullshit, considering Liam was only one year his senior.

“Trust us, Cade.” Megan’s voice filled his car’s interior once again. “Today is going to be perfect. Just relax and be yourself, and you’ll have absolutely nothing to worry about.”

“What she said,” Raegan continued her support.

Cade smiled, thankful three of his five teammates had found such amazing women to marry. He just hoped he was as lucky as they’d been when that time came. Hoped they all were.

Because they weren’t just a team. They were family.

Things go well with Kerrigan, maybe she can be a part of that family, too.

“Okay.” He shook the ridiculous thought away. Turning his freshly washed car onto Kerrigan’s street, Cade told the women, “And, uh…feel free to keep these conversations between us.”

His not-so-subtle way of asking them not to blab to his teammates that he’d gone to their women for advice on, well…women.

No, not women. One woman. Dr. Kerrigan Rawlins.

There was something very special about the beautiful blonde. Something that well-surpassed her flawless looks.

Cade had dated plenty of beautiful women in his time. It’s how he’d come to realize that beauty truly was skin deep.

Sure there had to be some sort of physical attraction on both sides for a relationship to work. But he’d learned a few things while watching Christian, Brody, and Rocky fall head over ass. Namely that, when he found the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, he needed to do whatever it took to make sure they felt safe, protected, and…loved.

Love? This is your first date with this woman, dickhead. Why the hell are you thinking about shit like marriage and true love?

“Don’t worry, Cade.” Megan’s sweet voice broke through his premature thoughts. “Your secret is safe with us.”

He smiled, relief easing some of the tension in his neck and shoulders. If Hunt’s wife said they wouldn’t tell…they wouldn’t fucking tell.

“Thanks, ladies.” He approached the house where his GPS had sent him. “I’m here, so I’m gonna hop off.”

Megan asked that he keep them posted while Ro and Raegan both wished him luck. Cade tapped the screen of his dash-mounted phone, ending the call as he pulled his car into Kerrigan’s drive.

Damn. And here I thought my place was nice.

Cade put the car in park as he studied the front of her house. Nestled within a line of sizeable, red-brick homes along Chicago’s Wayne Avenue, Kerrigan’s white brick and limestone house stood out like a beacon among the rest.

Standing three stories high, the single-family residence oozed luxury and prestige. And yet, from what he’d seen of her so far, the woman who lived here did not.

Oh, Kerrigan was elegant in her own right, that was for damn sure. She just didn’t strike him as the old money type. All hoity toity with her nose stuck high in the air.

No, the woman he’d come for didn’t seem like that at all. And if she had, he sure as hell wouldn’t be here.

Speaking of the woman who lives here…

Cade pushed the button to cut the engine before opening the door and stepping outside. The last thing he needed was her watching him from inside thinking he was either judging where she lived or worse…having second thoughts about their date.

He walked past the stained and windowed two-car garage, making his way up the long, curved sidewalk. As he did, Cade couldn’t help but notice the many potted plants and small, decorative trees.

His lips curved as he pictured Kerrigan out here in a pair of gardening gloves and one of those big, floppy hats.

The smile on his lips grew wider as he climbed the stone steps to her covered front stoop. Cade lifted a hand, but before he could press the doorbell to announce his arrival, the front door opened and an angel appeared.

I think I’ve died and gone to Heaven.

At the hospital, he’d seen Kerrigan in black scrubs and a long, white physician’s coat. When he and his team had found her and the other hostages in Mexico, she’d been in dirty and ripped street clothes looking about as disheveled as a person could.

During both of those times, he’d thought she was downright beautiful. But seeing her now…like this…Cade found himself struggling to breathe.

“Wow.” He finally managed to choke out something resembling a word. “You look…amazing.”

She really fucking did.

The long red sundress she wore had a row of small buttons running down its center. Starting at the modestly dipped cleavage, they continued to the dress’s ankle-length hem.

Short, poofy sleeves, a cinched waist, and the low neckline all gave modest hints to the woman’s mouthwatering curves. And a pair of brown slip-on sandals with a touch of a heel adorned her manicured feet.

Kerrigan’s long, golden blond locks had been left loose, falling around her in waves that ended at the peaks of her full, round breasts. Cade’s fingers twitched with the urge to touch the silken strands, but he somehow managed to keep himself in check.

“Thank you.” The greens in her eyes sparkled despite the slight overcast of the otherwise perfect afternoon. “So do you.”

He glanced down, glad he’d gone with his nicer pair of jeans instead of the worn and faded ones he typically wore. Still, “I don’t know that I’d call jeans and a short-sleeved Henley amazing. Although, I did go with a pair of my nicer boots.”

A soft chuckle lifted the corners of her rosy, pink lips. “When I texted to ask what I should wear, you said nice but casual. So if the dress is too much, I can go back inside and change.”

“No!” he blurted, hurriedly countering his overt response. “I mean, what you’re wearing is perfect for what I have planned.”

“Are you sure? It won’t take me long to?—”

“I’m sure.” Cade flashed her a reassuring smile. “

“Good. Between the hospital and being a homebody, I rarely get the chance to dress up.”

“Like I said, it’s perfect for what I have planned.”

“Which is?”

He offered her an elbow as any gentleman would, and said, “We are going on a picnic.”

Kerrigan’s entire face lit up in a way he prayed he never forgot, and though Cade knew it was impossible, he felt her joy as if it were his own.

“A picnic?” She took his offered arm. “I haven’t been on a picnic in like…well…ever.”

“You’ve never been on a picnic before?”

“I have, I guess. Just not like the kind I’m guessing you have in mind.”

The two began walking down the steps, continuing to talk as he led them both to his car.

“Okay, well now you definitely have my attention.”

Kerrigan grinned. “I grew up here. In this house. My parents were both surgeons and as you can imagine, a part of a very well-to-do crowd. Their idea of a ‘picnic’ was renting out giant tents and electric heaters to keep their guests warm and dry.”

“I think I see where you're going with this,” he commented. “I’m picturing long tables with white cloth linens and chairs with those fancy bows tied around their backs.”

“Pretty much.” She laughed. “I mean, picnics are supposed to have blankets on the ground where you can take your shoes off and let the wind blow through your hair. What my parents put on were glorified, outdoor banquets. And no one ever wore jeans.”

“Well, then.” Cade opened the passenger door and stood to the side. “What are you waiting for?”

Kerrigan held his gaze a moment longer before lowering herself into the seat. After making sure the coast was clear, he gently pushed the door shut and walked to his side of the car.

The ride to the place he’d chosen for their date was filled with small talk mixed with comfortable silence. Luckily traffic was light, so it didn’t take long before they were pulling into the entrance to the scenic observation area and park he sometimes liked to frequent.

Kerrigan stared out the window at the densely wooded area. “I’ve heard about this place but I’ve never been.”

“You’re kidding.” Cade cut the ignition and looked her way. “LaBagh Woods is great. There’s a natural observation area and trails…and designated picnic areas.”

She turned her mesmerizing smile his way. “In case I forget to say it later, thank you.”

He chuckled, unbuckling his seatbelt and pushing the driver’s door open. “If the parking lot impresses you, just wait until you taste the food.”

“You can cook, too?” Kerrigan exited her side of the car. “How is it possible you’re still single?

“Oh, no. I don’t cook. But Christian’s wife, Megan sure does. She actually owns a little coffee shop slash bakery down the street from our office. It’s called Cup of Joe.”

“The one across from Millennium Park? I’ve seen it.” She shook her head. “But I’ve never gone in.”

“Ah, man. You do not know what you’re missing.” Cade popped the trunk and pulled out the thick blanket he’d brought from his place and the wicker basket Megan had loaned to him for the day. “But don’t worry.” He slammed the lid shut with a grin. “You’re about to find out.”

Lifting the basket to emphasize his claim, he rounded the back bumper and closed the distance between them. “What do you think? Ready to experience your first real picnic?”

Kerrigan took the folded blanket from his hands before motioning toward the main trail leading into the trees. “By all means, lead the way.”

They began walking, moving side-by-side down the stretch of the trail's first leg. Cade purposely passed by several empty picnic shelters, but if Kerrigan was curious as to why, she hadn’t asked.

“It’s beautiful here,” she commented softly. Her gaze in a constant swivel at the peaceful nature that surrounded them. “So quiet.”

“That’s why I come here.”

His response seemed to surprise her. “So this is a regular thing for you?”

“Walking the trails?” Cade nodded. “I try to get down here at least once a month. Of course, that all depends on work.”

“Tell me about it.” Her gaze landed on his. “Your work, that is. I know that you are all former military from different branches, and that yours is the fourth in a line of R.I.S.C. teams. But other than hostage rescues and protecting Chicago’s mayor, what other kinds of work does your team do?”

“A lot, actually. Just about anything you’d imagine a high-end private security team doing, we do. We’ve done rescues such as yours. Those ops are typically assigned to us by our Homeland Security handler. We do bodyguard gigs—as a team or individuals, depending on the client’s needs. We even install RISC’s very own patented, state-of-the-art security systems for both businesses and private citizens. A design made by a guy named Derek West, who’s part of Alpha Team.”

“Wow. So you guys are like Jacks of all trades.”

“Pretty much.” He grinned.

“Speaking of bodyguard gigs...” She eyed his left arm. “I see you ditched the sling.”

“Yep.” He moved his left arm in a full, albeit slow, rotation. “Still sore as hell but getting better by the day.”

“That’s good. You know, I’ve treated a lot of gunshot victims over the years, which is how I know just how lucky you really were.” A touch of concern clouded the brightness of her eyes. “I’ll admit, when I realized it was you who’d taken a bullet for the mayor, I was…worried.”

“Yeah?” He grinned.

“Of course.” Kerrigan nudged his good arm with a playful shove. “You saved my life, Cade. Technically, you and your team did, but still. And the way you were with me, afterward…the fact that you stayed by my side to make sure I was okay…that meant a lot.”

His chest swelled and tightened all at the same time. He was so damn glad his protective nature toward her had helped get her through that time in her life.

Selfishly there was still a part of Cade that wished like hell he could go back and kill her kidnappers a second time. As far as he was concerned, any man who preyed on the innocent—especially women or children—they weren’t really men at all.

“I’ve never done anything like this before,” he blurted after several seconds of silence. When Kerrigan turned a slight frown his way, he added, “Pursued someone my team and I have rescued, I mean.”

Her smile returned, his admission seeming to please her. “And is that what you’re doing? Pursuing me?”

“Well, Doc…if you have to ask that question, then I’m clearly not doing a very good job.”

She threw her head back and laughed, and damn if the sound didn’t reach clear to his soul.

“Don’t worry.” Her voice softened with a look that sent his heart racing. “You’re doing just fine. Of course, the date just got started, so…”

“Oh, so it’s like that, huh?” Cade teased.

God, he loved how easy it was to be around her. Talking and laughing…it was all so effortless. As if they’d known each other an entire lifetime.

For the next few minutes, they continued following the path. On the way, they passed by a few other patrons of the park. But by the time they got to the spot he had in mind for their date, it was just the two of them.

Alone in a clearing so pretty and peaceful it could’ve been a painting.

“Oh, Cade.” Kerrigan looked out over the small clearing. “It’s so quiet. So…beautiful.”

He followed her gaze and took in the scenery as the two of them stood at the small trail’s end. The grass had already turned green, and tiny buds filled the limbs of the surrounding trees.

“Now you know why I like to come here to decompress.”

“Is that water I’m hearing?” She tilted her head as if to listen more intently.

“There’s a creek that runs just past those trees down there. If you want, when we’re finished eating, I’ll take you to the small overlook I found a while back. Looks right out onto the water. But for now, I say we eat.”

“Agreed. I skipped breakfast, so I’m starving.”

“Good, because I’m pretty sure Megan put enough food in here for a small army. Come on.” He jutted his chin to a spot of grass that was relatively flat. “I know there’s the shelter, but I figured, if we’re going to do this right, then we should?—”

“Oh, we’re sitting on the ground.” Her expression became pointed. “And if a team of ants try carrying off our food, we’ll just have to shoo them away.”

Cade chuckled as he led her to the perfect place to set up camp. She helped him to spread the blanket out over the grass before they each took a seat on top so that they were facing one another.

With the picnic basket on the blanket at his side, he opened it up and began pulling out the food.

“Wow.” Kerrigan eyed the delicious spread his sweet friend had provided. “You weren’t kidding when you said Megan made enough food for an army.”

“Told ya.” He grinned. “But to be fair, I wasn’t sure what you’d like. So I just asked her to give me a few options and hope for the best.”

“I’m not picky, so I’m sure it’s all going to be fine.”

“Not picky.” He made a mental note. “Good to know.”

“You keeping a list?”

“And checking it twice.” Cade nodded.

Her laughter filled the air, making his heart feel full and his dick stand up and take notice. Although if he were being perfectly honest with himself, he’d been half hard from the moment she’d opened her front door.

And he had a feeling if he continued spending time with the incredible woman, it was something he’d have to get used to.

“Is that chicken salad?” Kerrigan asked, her tone sounding hopeful.

“We’ve got chicken salad, ham and cheese croissants, a garden salad with all the trimmings, sea salt kettle chips, and for dessert…” He held up two identical to-go containers with two slices of homemade chocolate cake. “As Megan puts it, this cake is almost better than sex.”

“Just almost, huh?”

Cade laughed. “Given the way she and Christian are always all lovey-dovey-touchy when they’re together, I can understand why.”

Kerrigan reached for one of the chicken salad triangles, placing it and some of the bagged chips on the thick paper plate he’d handed her a few seconds before.

“And what about you? Do you think the cake’s better than sex?”

He handed her a bottle of water and smiled. “I think I’ll plead the fifth on that one.”

She laughed again while he filled his own plate. They talked while they ate. And when he asked her about her family, Cade was relieved when she seemed more than willing to share.

“Like I said before, my parents were both surgeons,” she shared. “And they were both quite successful, I might add.”

“I’d say so, given that mansion you grew up in.”

A sad smile lifted the corners of her mouth. “They left it to me in their will. I keep meaning to put it up for sale. Lord knows it’s too much room for one person.”

Ah, hell.

“Doc, I’m sor?—”

“It’s okay.” She cut his apology short. “It was three years ago. Chicago winter. Icy roads. Two headstrong surgeons who refused to miss the surgeries they’d already had scheduled.”

“Damn. That had to be rough, losing them both at the same time like that.”

“It wasn’t easy, that’s for sure. Some days are still hard. Birthdays…holidays. Those are the times I miss them the most. But I try to honor their memory by being the best doctor I can be for my patients. Just as I know they were for theirs.”

“Sounds like you really loved them.”

“I did. Still do.” Her gaze shimmered beneath the cloudy sky. “What about you? Are your parents still alive?”

“My mom is. She and my stepdad are living it up in sunny California. She’s a teacher, and he’s a CPA at some big time accounting firm out there. Sucks being so far away, but she’s happy, and Greg seems like a genuinely good guy. In the end, as far as I’m concerned, that’s really all that matters.”

“What about your dad?”

Residual anger threatened to rear its ugly head, but Cade had learned long ago not to let that shit win.

“Your guess is as good as mine on that one.”

“I take it the two of you aren’t close.”

“Kind of have to talk to be close. And I haven’t spoken to that selfish prick since he walked out on me and my mom when I was fifteen.”

“Oh, Cade. That’s awful.” Sadness and regret filled her gorgeous stare. “Guess it’s my turn to apologize.”

“Nah.” He brushed off her well-intended gesture. “Like I said, it’s been fifteen, almost sixteen years, now. And trust me, my mom and I are both much better off without him.”

“Well, you’ve definitely done all right for yourself. A successful military career and now working for Delta Team. Not to mention, you’ve probably gotten all kinds of attention since becoming the city’s newest hero.”

“Actually, no, thank God.”

“How is that even possible? I saw the footage on the news the day it happened. I’m not on social media, but I would’ve bet good money your face would’ve been splashed across every platform out there. Not to mention the mainstream media.”

“Normally, you’d be right. But thanks to the nature of my team’s work, our Homeland handler was quick to locate the person who took the video. They cut a deal for the footage, and then also managed to get an injunction to keep it from the mainstream media networks. All before anyone could put a name to my face.”

“He must be very good at his job to pull that off.”

“She, actually. And yeah. She’s been great to work with so far.”

“So far?”

“Our original handler took a step back from the action. Guy by the name of Ryker. He’s still technically in charge of the unit we work with, but Talia—she’s our new handler—has been our point of contact for nearly two years.”

“A female handler.” Kerrigan smiled. “I like it.”

“You’d like her. She’s a lot like you.”

“What, single and married to her job?”

Cade shot her a sideways grin. “I was thinking more along the lines of smart. Tough. She doesn’t take shit from anyone, and she never backs down from a fight.”

Affection poured from her almond-shaped gaze. “Seems to me you just described yourself.”

“I forgot to mention beautiful.”

“Are you still talking about Talia?”

He shook his head, unable to take his eyes off her. “I was talking about you. Don’t get me wrong, from what I’ve seen of her, she’s an attractive woman. But as far as I’m concerned, she doesn’t hold a candle to you.”

“Cade.”

“I mean it, Doc.” He pushed their empty dessert plates to the side and scooted himself forward. Reaching out, he tucked a lock of blowing hair gently behind her ear. When she didn’t try to move away, Cade took it as a sign and cupped her cheek with his palm. “You asked me earlier how I was still single. Well, I’m over here wondering the same damn thing about you. Because from where I’m sitting, you’re the whole fucking package.”

The slight hitch in her breath was carried away by the blowing breeze. It had gotten a bit windier since they’d first arrived, but neither of them seemed to notice.

His gaze fell to her mouth, her bow-shaped lips parting slightly as he started to lean in. Cade gave her plenty of time to stop him. To throw a flag on the play or toss his ass out of the game for good.

But rather than push him away, Kerrigan fisted the front of his shirt. Before Cade realized her intent, he found himself being pulled forward…toward her.

He wasn’t sure who kissed who, and he couldn’t care less. He was too busy getting his first taste of paradise. And if it were up to him, he would never fucking leave.

“Cade,” the sexy doctor breathed his name like a feathery whisper.

His only response was to take the kiss deeper, using the tip of his tongue to gently ease himself in. Kerrigan willingly obliged, and when their tongues met for that very first time, it was as if an explosion of passion erupted within him.

The kiss went from zero to a hundred, and before Cade knew it, they’d become fully embraced. His arms were around her. She was holding him. Their upper bodies were flush together, and the way her breasts were pressing against him…

If we weren’t out here for God and anyone else around to see, I’d already have her stripped down, and have my head buried between her ? —

A loud clap of thunder shook the air around them. On reflex, they both jumped, their mouths separating in tandem gasps.

“Shit.” Cade stared back at her, his chest rising and falling with heavy, heady breaths. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

“The kiss or the thunder?” Kerrigan teased.

He smiled. “I was talking about the thunder. Not that I expected there to be a kiss. But in the interest of full disclosure, I was sure as hell hoping for one.”

“Me, too.” She blushed.

He fucking loved it when she blushed.

Glancing up, he studied the thick, rolling clouds and wondered where the hell the change in weather had come from.

“I checked the weather app three times before picking you up. There was no mention of thunder or?—”

A raindrop hit him square in the middle of the forehead.

Kerrigan laughed. “Well, those things are notorious for being wrong half the time. Maybe we should pack up the stuff and head out before it gets too?—”

Before she could even finish the thought, there was a second round of deafening thunder. A flash of lightning illuminated from behind the silver clouds and then…

The skies opened up, and it began to pour.

“Shit!” Cade hollered as she let loose with a tiny squeal. “Quick. Grab the stuff, and let’s head to the shelter.”

They rushed to gather the containers of food and other items. Together, they tossed them into the basket before grabbing the blanket taking off in a dead sprint.

Kerrigan’s boisterous laughter mixed with the sound of the falling rain, and Cade couldn’t help but fall a little in love. By the time they got beneath the shelter’s wooden roof, he was sure he looked like a drowning rat.

Not her, though.

He watched as she set the blanket down onto the picnic table’s seat before pushing herself up so that she was sitting on the tabletop’s edge. With her legs dangling over the side, and her dress and hair dripping with rain, Cade knew this was a moment he’d remember for the rest of his life.

“Jesus, you’re beautiful.” He went to where she was sitting.

She opened her dress-covered legs ever so slightly, letting him settle himself between them so they could pick up right where they’d left off. He moved slowly, taking his time to bring his greedy mouth back to hers.

His lips had just feathered across hers, his one hand tangled in her long, wet locks. And then?—”

“Wait!”

He froze before pulling back to see what was wrong. “What the matter?”

But Kerrigan wasn’t looking at him. Instead, she was focused on something in the distance. Her widened gaze became locked on the tree line’s edge.

“Is that…” She did push him away, then. But only so she could slide down off the table. Moving toward the shelter’s open edge, she let out a gasp and pointed in that direction. “There! Cade, I think someone’s over there. I think it might be a?—”

“Body,” he finished for her. Because yeah, he’d just spotted it, too. “Stay here.” He took off out into the rain.

“Like hell!” she hollered after him, catching up to his fast pace with ease.

The closer he got, the clearer the gruesome image became. It was a woman. She was lying on her back, naked and bloody. Her body was covered in more cuts than he could count, and she wasn’t fucking moving.

Son of a ? —

“Oh, my god!” Kerrigan didn’t hesitate to jump into action. She squatted down, positioning herself next to the woman’s slightly turned head.

He watched with bated breath as she lifted a hand to the side of the woman’s neck. “You feel a pulse?”

Kerrigan shook her head while repositioning her fingers and trying again. He pulled out his phone to call nine-one-one.

“Tell them it’s him.”

Cade used a quick swipe of his hand to wipe the rain from his face. “Him?”

“The Omega Killer.” Her eyes moved up to his. “Look at the mark on her left thigh. It’s not a full Omega symbol, but what appears to be the start of one.”

“Like he got interrupted and didn’t have time to finish?”

“Maybe.”

He looked to the bloody area Kerrigan was referring to, and sure enough, he could see it plain as day. A horizontal line had been carved into the woman’s skin, continuing up into a crude half-arch.

This guy’s a fucking monster.

“The cops will want to know so they can take measures to protect?—”

The dead woman’s eyes flew open with a gasp he could hear over the pouring rain.

His spine stiffened as Kerrigan’s entire body jolted with surprise. Looking as shocked as he felt, his date’s wide eyes shot back up to his.

“She’s still alive!”

Holy shit!

He stood slack-jawed as the woman reached out and grabbed hold of his date’s hand. Her cracked and bloody lips parted, and it was obvious she was trying to say something but was struggling to make any sound.

“It’s okay,” Kerrigan promised her. “You’re safe now. Can you tell me your name?”

“J-Julie.” Her voice was rough and scratchy. “J-Julie…M-Mays.”

“Hi, Julie. I’m Kerrigan.” She smiled. “I’m a doctor, and this is Cade. We’re going to get you to a hospital, okay? I just need you to hang on. You have to keep fighting for us. Can you do that?”

“F-flat…” The bleeding woman’s response didn’t make any sense. “F-flat…h-help.”

“That’s right, we’re here to help.” Cade attempted to ease her distress. “Don’t worry. You’re safe now and?—”

“H-help…supposed t-to…h-help…”

We’re trying, I promise!

“She’s delirious.” Cade started to dial the three-digit number. “I’m calling it in. They’ll send an ambulance, and then we can?—”

The woman’s eyes rolled back as her head lolled to the side. Kerrigan rushed to check her pulse again, her tense expression softening a bit with relief.

“She’s alive, but I don’t know for how long. We can’t wait for an ambulance, Cade.” She shook her head vehemently. “The nearest hospital is like twenty minutes from here.”

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck!

She was right. Twenty minutes here, twenty minutes back… There was no way this woman would make it another forty minutes without some serious medical intervention. Not when they’d have to wait half that time just for the fucking ambulance to arrive.

Even then, the medics would have to figure out exactly where they were located, and by the time they found them…

“Watch out.”

Cade shoved his phone back into his pocket and bent down. He slid one arm behind the woman’s knees and another beneath her back. With a grunt, he lifted her up as he rose, and then he ran as quickly and carefully as he could back toward the shelter.

“Grab the blanket and leave the food. We’ll wrap her up best we can and call the hospital once we get on the road.”

“We can put her in the backseat of your car. I’ll stay with her so I can keep an eye on her vitals. I’ll call it in while you drive. But Cade…” Kerrigan’s face twisted with panicked worry. “We have to hurry. She doesn’t have much time.”