Page 1 of Ravage

1

WHERE'S BATMAN?

CAM

Just twenty minutesfrom the end of our shift, the work phone buzzes with a message from Dispatch. I let out a groan and tip back the cup, draining the last of my takeaway coffee, already bracing for whatever’s next.

As a paramedic, I've lost track of when I last finished on time, and from the tired look on Christian's face, he's thinking the same thing as he reaches over to flick on the siren and pulls the truck out into traffic.

Glancing at the information on the mobile data terminal screen, I vaguely recognise the area. It must be one of the large estate homes that is out in the middle of nowhere.

The message said a suspected heart attack to an older male, so Christian speeds down the winding road.

When we pull into the driveway, we're met with a rather imposing gate, but it swings open before Christian pulls to a stop, and he guides the truck down the long driveway.

"Holy shit," I murmur, when the mansion comes into view.

I've never seen anything like it. I had no idea that places likethis even existed in Brisbane. And I've seen a lot in my years as a paramedic. I can only imagine how many rooms this place has, as it's three stories and the size of a small football field.

Someone incredibly fucking rich must live here.

"Holy shit? Where's Batman?" Christian jokes, pulling the truck to a stop in front of the stone staircase.

"I don't know, but I think that's Alfred," I reply, nodding towards the woman who opens the front door, looking stressed.

Christian turns to look at me slowly, an incredulous expression on his face. "She's a damn sight better looking than Alfred, Cam."

No shit.

She's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. With long, wavy brown hair that flows down her back, she's wearing a low-cut black dress that clings to her petite figure.

Huffing a laugh, I jump down from my seat and head around the back of the truck to grab our kit as Christian makes his way up the stairs.

"Thank god! You guys were quick," the woman says, her voice wavering a little as she wrings her hands. Spinning on the ball of her foot, she flicks a harried look over her shoulder. "Follow me."

We follow as she strides back inside. Her high heels click along the marble floors as she leads the way to a staircase down into the basement level.

Christian flicks me a confused look before following behind her, leaving me to bring up the rear. It's rare for us to attend homes with a basement, and it seems odd that a place like this would have one. Did the guy have a heart attack in the wine cellar? It's going to be a bitch to get the stretcher down here.

The woman stops in front of a solid wood door and fixes us both with a warning look.

"This is a private club, so I'd appreciate your discretion."

Um... what the fuck?

Christian and I exchange another look, but nod as she turns the handle. We've seen some pretty fucked up stuff on the job, andI can't imagine what on earth could be behind those doors that would make her say that.

A long hall appears before us, with several doors running off it. She leads us to the first one, where a pretty blonde woman is sitting on an enormous bed, her arms wrapped around her legs. She's wearing a satin robe that she's wrapped tightly around her body, but it's obvious she's naked beneath it. She stares down at an ashen-faced older man on the floor with wide, teary eyes. A bearded man, around my age, is kneeling beside the patient, who is clinging to his left arm, writhing in pain.

For a moment I don't recognise him, then it hits me. I know the man kneeling there.

"Connell?" I say, and the bearded man looks up quickly.

"Shit, Cam?"

He jumps up to allow Christian and me to get to work.

"Did you give him aspirin?" I ask, moving to kneel at the patient's side.

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