Page 139 of Fatal Intent

“Can’t help it.” She threaded her fingers through his hair, stroking gently. “Worrying about your man is one of the marriage rules.”

Another slight curve of his lips. “Is that right? Where did you find the rule book?”

“Where else? Amazon.”

“I’ll have to buy a copy. I don’t want to break the rules.”

The ambulance sirens cut off abruptly, and a minute later, a knock sounded on the front door.

“I’ve got it,” Andre murmured and loped toward the front of the house. Soon, he returned with two EMTs maneuvering a gurney between them.

After examining Grant, they started an IV, lifted him from the floor, placed him on the gurney, and strapped him down.

“Where are you taking him?” Seth asked as Rayne followed the EMTs and Grant.

“St. Michael Memorial Hospital. It’s five miles down the road.”

“Expect the cops, Rayne. Be ready.”

“Copy that, sir.” She hurried outside in the cool morning air, climbed into the back with Grant, and threaded her fingers through his.

The EMT frowned. “You shouldn’t be back here.”

“I’m not moving. Besides, the thugs back there drugged and kidnapped me. Grant and my friends saved me.” She showed him the duct tape still covering her wrists and forearms.

Grant rolled his eyes.

Yes, she was exaggerating a little. She also contributed to her rescue. But Rayne wasn’t sure she would have been able to escape six men. Chances were excellent she would have been recaptured a second time or killed if they decided she was too much trouble to keep.

The EMT asked her a series of questions, eventually concluding her biggest problem was the duct tape and the unknown drug in her system.

“The doc will check you out and do a blood test to discover what you were given. He’ll also remove the duct tape. I’m not gonna lie. The process isn’t pleasant, but he’ll be careful.” He turned back to check Grant’s vitals.

Rayne looked down at him. He was out. Her heart lurched. “How far did you say the hospital was from here?”

“Five miles,” he said, voice grim. “Hey, Joe, step on it, will ya?”

A second later, the ambulance leaped forward, lights flashing and sirens blaring.

Soon, the driver parked at the ambulance entrance at the hospital, and the two men quickly maneuvered the gurney from the vehicle and into the emergency room with Rayne half jogging behind them.

A nurse called out, “Exam Room 2, Joe.”

Joe waved in acknowledgment without slowing his stride. They rolled Grant into the exam room and transferred him to the hospital exam table.

The door opened, and a doctor strode in. “What’s the story?”

Joe pointed at Rayne. “She’s a kidnapping victim.” He pointed at Grant. “He was part of the rescue team.”

“He has a bullet wound in his side from a previous encounter with the kidnappers. Grant thought he'd popped some stitches.”

The doctor nodded. “All right. You’re free to go, guys.”

“Thank you,” Rayne said to them.

“Sure thing,” Joe said. “Doc Carmichael will take good care of you.” Then, they were gone.

The doctor turned to Rayne. “The nurse will be here soon. We had a five-car pileup a few hours ago, and we’ve been slammed since then. I’m sorry you’ll have to wait longer for help.”