Page 40 of Hard Focus
Chapter Ten
Connie
Jonas jerked against her and fellbackwardsas the window in front of them exploded inwards. His arms tightened spasmodically around her and then released, enough to pull Connie with him as he went down. The pain in her side peaked and then kept going, rising in a wave that threatened to swamp her senses. Vaguely she heard shouts from outside, including one she knew couldn’t be real.
There was a booming sound, and then wood splintered, light flooding the room. Connie blinked, dazzled by the brightness.
“Miss Rowe, can you hear me?”
She heard her name called by several voices, but her attention was fixed on the one calling from outside.
“Connie.”
“Cole.” She blinked at the blurriness invading her vision. “Please.”
“Miss Rowe, be still now, let us help you.” Hands grasped her shoulders and hips, lifting her. The heat that had been at her back was replaced by the chill of a hard surfaceandshe hissed at the sudden change. “We’ve got you. It’s Connie, right?” She tried to nod. “Can I call you Connie?” She struggled to respond, blinking at the man’s face hovering over her. He was close, too close for comfort, and she tried to pull back, surprised when her head didn’t move. She fought to look to the sidebutsomething held her in place.
“Oh, God.” Tears welled,andshe felt the liquid slide as they spilled over, trickling down her temples.
The room shifted around herandshe cried out, afraid of falling. “Easy, Connie, we’re moving you outside. Just let us do the work, okay? You’re fine, Connie. You’re safe now.”
“Cole.”
“He’s right outside, you’ll see him in a minute. Can you tell me what hurts?”
“Cole?”
“Give us another minute, we’ll have you where he can come to you. We’ve got to get clear of the scene, Connie. Tell me what hurts, okay?”
“My side.”
“Yeah, I bet that does sting. Do you know what happened?”
“Jonas. I…he did…” Her chest hitched painfullyandshe cried out. “Cole.”
“Connie.” She could only move her eyes,butat Cole’s voice, she cut them to the side in time to see him come into view above her head. He was upside down, but still a welcome sightandshe cried harder at the sense of relief she felt because he was there. “I’m here, honey. I’m here.”
“My side.” She tried to point to where the knife’s handle had been, not sure if it was still there. “He hurt me.”
“I know, sweetheart, but these guys are going to make sure you’re okay.” Cole’s voice was soft and sure, and Connie let the certainty buoy her. “They just have to check you out, see what needs to be done. You don’t have to worry now, honey.”
“Jonas. Cole, he had women’s clothing in there. I think he’s donesometh…” Connie stopped to try and pull in a suddenly-absent breath. She felt her mouth open and close, but nothing helped. There was no room in her chest for air, and she stared at Cole, noting for the first time the beads of sweat along his brow.
“Easy, Connie. Easy, baby. You don’t have to worry about Jonas now, not ever again. Easy.” Voices in the background shouted, the edges of sound blurring together until she couldn’t make out anything. Cole’s voice was the only thing that mattered, and for several moments, Connie felt his words were the only thing tethering her to the earth. “I’m here, Connie. You’re safe now, baby. You’re gonna be okay.”
A sharp agony found its way alongside the pain already suffusing her side, and she gasped in response, surprised to find herself again sucking in air as an invisible damn broke in her chest. Desperate and greedy for oxygen, her lungs filled again and again until her throat burned from dryness. “Cole.” Her voice rasped painfully. “Oh, God, Cole.”
“I’m here. You’re safe.”
A hand curled around hers, fingers calloused and strong, holding tightly as she squeezed with all her strength. “I don’t want to die.”
“You’re not going to, Connie.” He leaned closer,andshe stared up into his eyes. “You and me? We’ve got a lot of living left to do.” She blinked tears from her eyes and focused on him. Cole was smiling, and suddenly she believed it would be okay. He wouldn’t look like that if she weren’t going to be okay. “I need you in my life. Connie, honey, you’re important to me. I promised myself I’d tell you the first chance I got. You’re not going anywhere.” His eyes darted left and right, and the corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled more broadly. “Not an ideal setting for a declaration of undying love, but I’ll give one if you need it, baby. I don’t care where we are. I just need you to know I’m not letting you go. Not for anything, or anyone. From here on out, it’s you and me.”
“You and me?” The pain receded, sounds bleeding to white noise as she stared into his eyes.
He bent over until his nose brushed hers in a soft Eskimo kiss. “Yes. Wherever you go, that’s where I want to be.” Another soft brush of his nose, then he placed his cheek against hers. “I’ve got you.”
“Thank you.” She whispered the word, an unending wave of exhaustion taking her by surprise. “Glad I’m not alone.” She blinked,andit was hard to force her eyes to reopen. “Cole.”
