Page 23 of Ryder

I watched in shock as one of Eric’s men dragged a man in, with the wood sticking out of his neck. He was covered in blood and as they turned him I saw he was covered his bruises and I tried not to shudder. My soulmate was lethal. I was bloody well happy she could defend herself, though. I gazed at the men around us and didn’t miss the look of pride on Eric’s face as he looked at the guy now on the floor. The more I thought, though, the more I was in awe of Divinity. She had been attacked and kidnapped and was going to be killed, and she killed the huge man before he could her. She was entitled right now to go on about her clothes.

Glancing at Eric though, and the smirk that covered his face as he looked around the room and then at his daughter in my embrace I had a moment of worry. Maybe the curse, er gift, the gypsies gave my family was going haywire. There was no way I could get a father-in-law like the one I was looking at now. He made the caveman alpha inside me look like an act and I worried for a second about my self-confidence and the hit my manliness was going to take. As Divinity sighed and snuggled against me, I held her closer. She looked up and captured my gaze, and I shook all that off. She was just what I needed. She was perfect for me. I wasn’t in a job like the others of my family, I was in danger a lot more being a detective. I needed a woman who could protect herself. Who had a backbone and didn’t cower from a fight? I needed a father-in-law who wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty, like now.

Divinity started shaking. She was in shock. She kept babbling and sulking about her clothes. I knew how much she loved her fashion and I was sure she was focusing on that than what she’d done and what had happened as a coping method.

Leaning down I cradled her in my arms, slowly stood, and walked towards the door, eager to get out of this house.

Once the fresh breeze hit me, I walked off the porch and to the driveway where there was no carnage. I squeezed her tighter to me and kissed her forehead. She burrowed into me and the guilt I felt at bringing this all doubled as she whispered, “I’m so close to loving you. This carrying and rescuing me has brought me a lot closer.” She sighed, which came out more like a gasp for air and closed her eyes.

In the distance, I could faintly hear the sirens. They’d been called well before we arrived. This area was an hour and a half from a town, and four, nearly five, from where we lived.

Divinity gasped again and her eyes snapped opened. “My adrenaline is gone now I think. I hurt.” She moaned for a moment before she stilled.

My heart stopped beating. I couldn’t move for a split second. My whole world focused on the being that was in my embrace. With shaking movements, I leaned down and listened for her breathing and almost collapsed in relief when I felt her warm, but labored breathing. She was fighting, I could hear it with each pull into her lungs, but she was alive. Not wanting to move even an inch in case it caused her further discomfort or affected her more, I darted my gaze up, searching for help, and was relieved when looked into Eric’s eyes. Eyes just like the ones I’d awoken to for the last few weeks. I cried, “Help. Please. She’s barely breathing.”

ERIC STAYED, AND THE OTHERmen left in the helicopter before I even realized, as my sole focus was on Divinity. They were gone well before the police and ambulance arrived. Eric used basic medical training he knew to help Divinity, by wrapping her ribs in ripped cloths and cleaning her head wound and dressing it, he also taped fingers that looked broken and tidied up cuts that were scattered over her. While he worked on his daughter, Eric made sure I knew the story we were to tell the authorities, leaving out the extra men and saying we were dropped in by helicopter and it left. We got an anonymous tip where to go to get Divinity. The gun I’d used belonged to one of my securities so it was registered, but I would explain I took it to use to get Divinity back.

By the time the ambulance and police arrived I knew what I was supposed to say and do. It was odd, being on the other side of the law and being questioned. It helped that I was a detective, so I knew procedure and what would happen. The drug lab was a huge find and I was sure it would make any punishment I would receive light.

I didn’t leave Divinity, even when threatened with forceful removal by the police on duty. I flung all the power I had around. I used my badge and even my last name to get what I wanted and to stay with Divinity.

I don’t remember the ride to the hospital. I barely remember moving until nurses pried my fingers from hers and dragged me away from her, repeating over and over that she needed surgery and I had to leave. They sat me down in the family waiting room and I stared at the doors for hours waiting for information on Divinity.

I don’t know how long I sat staring at the doors before two people dressed in scrubs came to me. The taller of the two, a man in his late fifties, stepped forward. “Are you family to Miss Stamon?”

I stood and announced, “I’m her fiancée.”

“Her father,” I heard at the same time.

The man looked from myself, to Eric, and then nodded. “I’m Dr. Bradford. We stopped a brain bleed, but there is a lot of swelling. It’s something we will need to keep an eye on. We have her in an induced coma hoping that will help. We are taking her to get her other injuries dealt with now, but there are a couple of quick questions we need to ask before we proceed.” He glanced at Eric. “Is your daughter allergic to anything?”

I looked at Eric to see him shake his head. “No. She’s never had a reaction to anything.”

“Good. Good. Is there any chance she could be pregnant?”

“No,” Eric snapped.

At the same time, I said, “Yes.” I didn’t even bother to look at Eric. I could feel the anger radiating from him. “She wouldn’t be far along, but yes, there is a possibility.”

Dr. Bradford gave a curt tilt of his chin. “Okay. I’ll order the test from the lab. If sheispregnant, the baby should be safe, but we won’t do any more x-rays and I’ll write this on her chart.” He raised a brow at me. “Would you like to know when we get the blood tests back?”

“Sure.” I didn’t really care about anything right now besides Divinity getting better

“Yes,” snarled Eric.

The doctor turned to him. “I’m sorry sir, but that information is private.”

His growl was loud before Eric stomped off. I didn’t take my gaze off Dr. Bradford though. “When can I see her?”

“Her head injuries were our priority when she came in. We now will be focusing on her ribs, legs and fingers. I will make sure you are informed, but I don’t see you being let in to be with her until they have her injuries sorted out. She was in rough shape. It will take time to get to all her injuries. We will get you with her as soon as we’ve done everything we can.”

“Thanks,” I mumbled, unsure what else I could say.

The doctor’s hand came down on my arm. “I’d tell you to go home, get a shower, food, and some rest, but I can tell neither you, nor her father will leave. Just remember you’ll be no good to Miss Stamon if you aren’t well yourself.”

“Thanks. I’ll be fine once I’ve seen her and know she’s going to be okay.”

“I’ll make sure they keep updating you. If you have any family for support I suggest you call them as it’s going to be a long night.”

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