Page 24 of Claimed Gem

Chris looked at Stephanie and Ries knew he was seeing the same thing – her chest was covered with streaks of glittering blood. “Where are you hurt?” Chris asked, reaching for her.

Stephanie moved out of his reach with a shake of her head. “I’m not hurt…”

“You’re bleeding,” Chris told her.

Stephanie looked down at her shirt. “It’s not my blood, it’s his” she said adamantly. “He needs a doctor. Now.”

Ries said nothing when Stephanie returned to his side, grabbing his hand as Chris helped him to his feet.

“Is the ambulance on the way?” she asked Chris.

“No need. We’ll transport him there faster. Ries said you might be hurt?”

Stephanie shook her head. “I’m fine.”

“Nonetheless, I want her checked out at the hospital,” Ries demanded.

“I’m…”

“You’re getting checked out.”

Stephanie looked at him for a long moment and then capitulated with a sigh, “Fine.”

The vehicles arrived and soon they were all headed to the hospital, leaving several men behind to clean up the area and deal with the local authorities.

“Did you get him?” Ries asked quietly.

Chris scowled and shook his head once. “No. He took off down the dock and sped away in a boat.”

“Did anyone get a good look at this guy?”

“Yes, but more importantly, he got a good look at us.”

Ries mentally supplied the words Chris refused to utter. The man had gotten a good look -at Stephanie.

Ries stared at Chris and then turned to look at Stephanie.

He’d wanted her to stay behind for this very reason. Her being at the dock had now possibly painted a big target on her back. Ries now had to worry about protecting himself and her. Given her propensity to wander right into the thick of things, it could be an impossible task.

They arrived at the hospital and were immediately taken back to a private examination room.

“Mr. Kafatos, the doctor will be with you shortly. Miss, if you’ll come with me,” the nurse indicated Stephanie to follow her, but Stephanie remained stoically by his side.

“I’m fine here,” she told the nurse.

“I want you to get checked out,” Ries told her quietly.

“I’m not leaving you,” she told him just as quietly. She stared into his eyes and Ries felt the earth move.

After a long moment, Ries nodded and then told the nurse, “The doctor can examine us both right here.”

“Sir, that is highly unusual…”

Ries turned to Chris with a nod, “Make it happen.”

“On it,” Chris told him, approaching the nurse and ushering her outside, leaving Ries and Stephanie alone for a moment.

Ries reached up with his good arm and brushed her hair back, “Why did you come down to the docks?”