Page 10 of Marked By His Alpha Dragon's Desire

“We’re gonna need two ambulances,” I said.

“Another one’s on its way,” someone responded.

Once I knew that Doug was being attended to, I went to Raphael’s side. His skin was marred with fresh burns, although not nearly as bad as I would have assumed, considering he had just burst through a wall. Soot and dirt covered his face. His hair was singed.

“We need to get him to a hospital right now. Let’s pack this thing up—alert Mercy General we’re on our way.”

“I’m fine,” Raphael said, his voice without even a hint of raspiness to it—nothing like you would expect to hear after inhaling all that smoke.

I stilled. If I hadn’t just seen that man burst through a burning building, I wouldn’t believe it. No one came out of an inferno like that unscathed. Especially without his helmet on.

“Now is not the time to be macho, Raphael. Tell him, Tyler.”

Tyler shrugged. “Nah, I think the burns seem like something we can treat here, and if he says he doesn’t need a hospital—”

“Are you kidding me?” I shouted, my hands going to my hips as I stared them both down. “Seriously? He’s badly injured! Even ifhe’s sitting up and talking, he has to have smoke inhalation.” I gestured to his arms, which were a mess of angry red burns and ash clinging to the seeping flesh. Blisters covered the back of his hands. “Look at him!”

“I have an oxygen cylinder.” Raphael held it up. “Good thing you grabbed those.”

I stared at him like he had lost his damn mind. Hehadto have lost his mind. He must be in shock. The pain from the burns alone had to be tormenting him.

“Did you hit your head in there?” I grabbed for my flashlight, ready to check his pupils.

“Luca, I swear to you, I am fine. I really appreciate your concern.”

“There is no way I’m letting you just go back to work. These are second-degree burns at least. They need to be cleaned and treated—”

“He should definitely take the day off,” Tyler said. “And based on the time, your shift’s coming to an end soon. Luca, why don’t you spend the evening with Raphael? Make sure he’s all right?”

I opened my mouth to protest, but I could see that the two of them were not going to see reason.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “All right. But if I even get the hint that you might need a doctor, I am going to knock youout and take you there myself. And don’t think I can’t—I know exactly how to put you under and subdue you.”

Raphael’s eyes flashed, and the heat that coursed through my body had nothing to do with the inferno blazing just a few feet away.

“It’s a deal,” he said. His voice was like warm honey soothing my soul.

Oh, goodness.

I set to work getting his burns cleaned up, using cool water to wash away the soot and bits of debris that clung to his skin. The redness and swelling around the affected area dulled as I cleaned. The burns were not as severe as I originally thought. Somehow, they looked as if they were already healed.

“I suppose these aren’t so bad, but really, Raphael. Of all the macho things to do.”

Raphael chuckled, and it was almost as if I could feel the vibration against my skin. I forced myself to focus, to keep my eye on what I was doing or else I was going to end up messing up his bandages or forgetting to clean one of his many burns.

“It’s my job, Luca. I promise I won’t push my luck again.”

“Please don’t. I understand wanting to look good for your new boss, but you’re no good to anyone dead. Goodness, you acted like you were fireproof out there.”

“Can I get a water?” Raphael asked.

“Oh, of course.” I stopped what I was doing and grabbed a bottle of water for him. His hands were freshly cleaned, and they looked too painful to use. “Um...” I unscrewed the cap and lifted the bottle to his lips.

Raphael drank.

Fuck. Now was not the time to be perving on the new guy in town.

Raphael’s gaze met mine and a strange heat burned behind them. I licked my lips, suddenly feeling like I was the one with the burns.

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