Page 15 of Romeo

She doesn’t respond, but her emerald gaze is full of tears, her face red.

Shifting my attention back, I ensure there’s no new bleeding then press the first part of the gauze over the wound, replacing my finger.The bleeding remains slowed, so I move as quickly as I can, packing the entire wound.Which—given it’s a stab wound—is impressive in size.Whatever blade this guy was using, it left little room for error.

As soon as it’s completely packed, I press down as gently as I can while still applying enough pressure to help the wound clot.

“Where did you—” She trails off and sucks in a ragged breath.“Learn that?”

“Army,” I tell her.“And my little sister is a doctor.”As soon as I’m sure the bleeding is stopped—for now—I take out a wound cover bandage and stretch it over the injury, securing it to her skin as best I can.“We’ll wrap it in a minute.”I remove my gloves and tap on Jesper Michaels’s contact in my phone.

“What can I do for you, Riles?”the pilot asks after the second ring.

“I need a flight out ASAP.”

“Get to the airstrip.We’ll be wheels up in thirty minutes.”

The call ends, so I toss my phone to the side.

“We’re going to have to move you, okay?”

“Where are you taking me?”

“Somewhere we can get you help.It’s going to hurt though.But I need you to do your best to stay alert.I can get you some medication for the pain?—”

“No,” she snaps.“No medication.”

“Jules—”

“No.Meds.”

And then I remember the alcohol addiction I read about.Is it possible there was more to that and she’s afraid of a relapse?

Strength.That’s what I sense within her.

“Okay.No meds.”

She looks visibly relieved.“Okay.Tell me what you need me to do.”

“I’m going to sit you up.You can lean against my chest while I wrap your waist, but I need you to stay up.”

She nods.“I can do that.”

“Okay.Count of three.One.Two.Three.”I pull her up slowly, and she groans with the movement but falls forward and rests her face on my chest, right near my shoulder.I take an ACE bandage from my bag and wrap it around her waist, tight enough to maintain pressure.Then, I repeat it with another.As soon as she’s stabilized, I gently lean her back down.“You okay?”Sweat beads on her forehead, and she’s pale from blood loss.I can only hope she doesn’t end up going into shock.

One problem at a time.

“Managing.”

Reaching back into my backpack, I grab another shirt and slip it on then shove my bloodied one into a plastic evidence bag so it won’t saturate the rest of what’s in the bag.Then, I withdraw another bag and slide the knife she’d used on her attacker inside and set that on top of my shirt.

“Did you check in under a false name?”I ask as I tap on Tucker’s contact.

“Yes.Paid cash, too.”

“Okay.”

“What’s up?”Tucker asks as he answers.

“There was an attack.Jesper is getting the plane ready, but I need this room cleaned.There’s a whole lot of blood, and I broke two doors.”

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