“Let me fix your eyes.” Robot’s said firmly. “Then I’ll tell you.”
Faith wanted to yell at him to tell her now, but the little bit of light she could make out disappeared as Robot’s tall figure stepped closer. Fine, the sooner they fixed her eyes the sooner she’d get her answers. “Get it over with then.”
Robot gripped her chin lightly and tilted her head back. “I’m going to flush your eyes with a water solution. I’ll try to be as gentle as possible but it’s going to sting.”
“I know.” This wasn’t the first time she’d be exposed to tear gas without having a mask. She’d been caught out of position on one assignment and suffered the consequences. She braced herself for Robot to administer the solution.
She grimaced and blinked her eyes as he washed first her right eye then her left. Faith clenched her fists at her side to stop herself from rubbing them. Robot wiped away the excess liquid trickling down her face with some gauze. He then pressed the dampened material against her eyes.
When he lifted them away she carefully opened her eyes. Her vision was still a little blurry but it was much clearer than it had been.
“Okay, now I can see, tell me what the real issue is with Greg,” she demanded.
“The bullet nicked an artery in Greg’s arm. He lost a lot of blood. While the surgery is straightforward, the fact he lost a lot of blood makes it more serious than normal.”
Faith’s heart clenched at the thought of something happening to Greg, and it was all because of her. “Which hospital is he at? Have you contacted his parents? They’re in town you know.”
“Tex is getting Cowboy’s parents’ information. Once he gets it, I’ll go see them and tell them. As for the hospital, I’m not sure, but I’ll find out.”
Relief swept through her, soon she’d be able to see him. “Thank you.” With her vision restored, her surroundings sharpened and she was aware of the buzz of activity.
Shit, the case.
Looking around she saw the recognizable blue jackets with FBI emblazoned on the back in big yellow letters. She zeroed in on Eddy. “I need to check in with Eddy.”
She was off before the guys could stop her. Each step was a challenge as her legs had the consistency of jelly. She imagined it was her adrenaline that was keeping her upright.
“Eddy? What’s the status?” she asked when she reached her partner’s side.
“Shit, Faith what are you doing here? You need to be checked out. I thought those SEALs were going to get you to an ambulance.”
“I’m fine, they flushed my eyes out from the gas. Tell me did we get everyone? Tiffany and Randy indicated they were involved with the horse ring. Have been for a while. They were the perfect accomplices because of being competitors.”
“Yeah, we got them and once they saw all our guys, they started singing like birds in a tree. More than happy to try and make a deal and throw the big guys under the bus.”
Their reaction didn’t surprise Faith. Like all bullies, once confronted they crumple in a heap. But it was also dangerous for them. The players in the ring weren’t small fish. “Have you made contingencies to keep them protected?”
Eddy nodded. “Yes, and the guys that turned up, while they’re not the masterminds, they’re the next tier. We’ve got the break we needed to blow the ring out of the water.” He gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Good job, Faith. Good job.”
“Thanks.” Faith soaked in Eddy’s praise but the adrenaline was waning and her head began to pound. She closed her eyes and pinched the bridge between her nose in an attempt alleviate the pain.
She took a step back and stumbled, and she would’ve fallen flat on her ass if strong hands hadn’t caught her by the shoulder.
“Whoa there, Faith are you okay?”
She looked over her shoulder and spied Italy and Red standing behind her. She smiled but her vision was getting hazy again. “Yeah, I’m fine, just a hea—Oh.”
Blackness engulfed her, preventing her from finishing her sentence.
Chapter 15
Voices penetrated her consciousness.
“Her blood pressure’s a little low but not dangerously so. Heart rate is normal.”
Who were they talking about?
“Well take her to the hospital to get her checked over.” The voice said again.
Were they talking about her? Her mind was fuzzy, so many images racing through she couldn’t make any sense of them.
“Good. I’m not sure if it’s possible, but can you take her to the hospital where you took the gunshot wound victim?”
That voice she recognized. The authority in his tone was unmistakable. “Robot?” she murmured and flicked her eyes open. She was staring at a metal roof and in her peripheral vision she could see that she was inside an ambulance.
Faith tried to sit up but a hand pushed her back gently. “Ma’am, you passed out. You need to stay lying down.”
“It’s okay, Faith,” Robot said from his position beside her. “I think everything caught up with you, but this crew here.” He pointed his thumb in the direction of the paramedic. “They’re going to look after you and will take you to the hospital Cowboy’s at.” He then directed this attention at the man. “Aren’t you?”
“Well it’s not protocol, but I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you,” he nodded at the medic. “Do you want me to stay with you, Faith?”
“Yeah that would be great.” She closed her eyes again. Her head still pounded, and it felt really good to be lying down. She should thank Robot for insisting she be taken to Greg’s hospital.
She needed to see him. Needed to reassure herself that he was going to be okay.
She dozed all the way to the hospital only waking up when the doors to the ambulance opened and she was pulled out and wheeled into the hospital.
Robot strode beside her but because he wasn’t family or anything he wasn’t permitted to come with her.
“Faith, I’ll go see if I can find something out about Cowboy and then come back. Okay?”
“Thanks, Robot.”
She lay waiting for the doctor and all she wanted to do was get up and follow Robot. The short nap she had on the way to the hospital was exactly what she needed. The fuzziness in her mind had cleared and she was anxious to get out of there.
The curtain was pushed open and the doctor came in, tablet in his hand. “Well, Ms. Timberly I understand you’ve had quite the day.”
“You could say that. Do you think you could hurry up? I’m actually feeling fine now.”
“Well let me be the judge of that.”
The next twenty minutes seemed to drag but eventually she was given the all clear and made her way to the surgical waiting room. She walked in and smiled at the men congregated in the room.
“Any news?” she asked as she got closer to them.
“Not yet,” said Italy.
“How long has he been in surgery?” Her voice sounded calm but her insides were churning like a washing machine on a spin cycle. The doctor gave her the all clear, but if he could see her now he’d more than likely have her hooked up to a heart monitor and blood pressure machine.
“A couple hours, the doc said it could be a while. They had to make sure they got all the bullet fragments and repaired the artery.” Red relayed in a matter of fact way.
“Right.”
“Don’t worry, Faith, Cowboy’s tough. He’ll be fine,” T-Rex commented.
Faith nodded and tried to relax. If she lost him now, she didn’t know what she’d do.
Every muscle in right arm ached like a fucker. He licked his lips, his mouth was so dry.
“Here.” A straw brushed against his lips and latched onto it, taking a couple of sips. Even semi conscious he was aware he shouldn’t drink much.
“I think that’s enough. How you feeling?”
He sighed at hearing Faith’s voice and opened his eyes to connect with hers. In the dim hospital light they shone a bright blue, tinged with a little
red, as if she’d been crying. He hated to think that he’d caused her to cry. “Better now that you’re here, Princess.”
Her fingers brushed across his forehead. “You had me so worried, Greg. I don’t know what I would do if I lost you.”
His heart rate increased and the monitor went from a steady beep beep to beep beep beep beep. “You didn’t lose me. I thought I’d lost you. You don’t know what I went through when I worked out you’d been kidnapped. All I could think of was never being able to see you. Never being able to say,” He paused, knowing what he wanted in his heart and he wanted her. “I love you, Faith. I have since the first time we laid in the back of my pick-up and gazed at the stars.”
She smiled and any fear he had that his feelings were one sided blew away. “Oh Greg, I love you too. I love the way you respect and protect me. I can’t imagine my life without you.”
What he wanted to do the most was pull her down on the bed and kiss her senseless. If one arm wasn’t anchored against his chest and the other connected to an IV he’d follow through on it.
“Come here,” he whispered.
She leaned closer.
“Closer.”
Faith giggled but she granted his wish and moved until her lips stopped just above his. “I love you, Faith Timberly.”
“I love you, Greg ‘Cowboy’ Robertson.”
He lifted his head the short distance and captured her lips. He was aware they had things to sort out but right at this minute, life couldn’t get any better.
Epilogue
“So Red, looks like you’re the last man standing,” Joker teased. “Do you need us to set you up with someone?”
“Fuck off, Joker, if I wanted a girlfriend I can find one on my own.”
Faith rolled her eyes as she walked out of the back door carrying a platter of steaks. “You guys are worse than us girls,” she said as she placed the tray down on the table by the grill.
An arm slid around her shoulder and she sank into Greg’s side. While he’d been recovering she and Eddy had been working to finalize the case. It seemed that, like Tiffany and Randy, the other men they’d arrested at the site of her kidnapping had been more than happy to work out a deal so their prison time was reduced.
The horses were recovered and returned to their rightful owners and she withdrew from the barrel racing event at the rodeo.
Because of her work on the case, she was offered her promotion. She negotiated with her superiors and now had a position at the Norfolk, Virginia office. The transfer enabled her and Greg to move in and start their life together. Her stuff from her apartment had arrived the day before and the girls had insisted on helping her unpack. With Greg’s teammates on the job, the truck had been unloaded in double quick time and today they were having a barbeque as a thanks for all their help.
“How you doing, Princess?”
“Fantastic. I couldn’t be happier.”
“Me either.”
Faith went up on tiptoe and gave him a kiss on the lips. “Now I think you need to start cooking. Everyone is getting hungry.”
A phone began to ring and Greg went still beside her. She hoped they weren’t about to get called out on a mission.
“It’s okay, it’s Red’s phone,” he said and relaxed beside her again.
Faith looked over and saw Red was having an animated conversation. “Hmm, looks serious,” she murmured.
A few seconds later the call ended and Red strode over to them. “I’ve got to go,” he announced to Greg and her. “Sorry about missing lunch.”
He strode away from them before she could even say anything.
“What was that all about?” she asked.
“I don’t know, but I’m guessing if he needs us he’ll let us know. Look,” he canted his head. “Robot’s talking to him.”
Faith glanced in the direction Greg had pointed and sure enough, Robot and Red were talking. Robot nodded and let Red walk away.
“Robot,” Greg called. “Sit-rep?”
“Got a call from his sister’s friend. You know the one he’s been texting off and on. He’s going to pick her up from the airport. That’s all he said.”
“Gotcha,” Greg responded. “Maybe Red won’t be single for long.”
Faith laughed and shook her head. “Who knows, but if he gets to be as happy as us, then I’m wishing him luck.”
“I couldn’t agree more, Princess.”
Faith smiled up at her man, her heart skipping at a beat at the love shining in his eyes. “Love you, Cowboy.”
“Love you too.”
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About the Author
On her very first school report her teacher said ‘Nicole likes to tell her own stories’. Many years later she eventually sat down and wrote her first book.
Nicole writes sexy contemporary romances, seducing you one kiss at a time as you turn the pages. She enjoys taking two characters and creating unique situations for them.
Learn more about Nicole Flockton at http://www.nicoleflockton.com.
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Also by Nicole Flockton
Guardian Seals
Protecting Lily
Protecting Maria
Guarding Erin
Guarding Suzie
Guarding Brielle
Guarding Antonia
Guarding Faith
Lovers Unmasked Series
Masquerade
Rescuing Dawn
Seducing Phoebe
The Elite
Fighting to Win
Fighting to Dream
Fighting for Love
Fighting for Redemption
Man’s Best Friend
Blind Date Bet
Next Door Knight
The Freemasons
The Victor
The Hunter
Bound Series
Bound by Her Ring
Bound by His Desire
Bound by Their Love
Bound by The Billionaire’s Desire - Boxed Set
Emerald Springs Legacy Series
Daniel’s Decision
Emerald Springs Legacy Collection
Barefoot Bay
Swipe for Mr. Right
Wrong Time for Mr. Right
Standalone Titles
White Knight (Co-Written with Abigail Owen)
Novellas
Tangled Vines
Tango Love
A Vacation Affair
Christmas in Ghost Gum Valley
There are many more books in this fan fiction world than listed here, for an up-to-date list go to www.AcesPress.com
You can also visit our Amazon page at:
http://www.amazon.com/author/operationalpha
Special Forces: Operation Alpha World
Denise Agnew: Dangerous to Hold
Shauna Allen: Awakening Aubrey
Shauna Allen: Defending Danielle
Shauna Allen: Rescuing Rebekah
Shauna Allen: Saving Scarlett
Shauna Allen: Saving Grace
Brynne Asher: Blackburn
Jennifer Becker: Hiding Catherine
Julia Bright: Saving Lorelei
Julia Bright: Rescuing Amy
Victoria Bright: Surviving Savage
Victoria Bright: Going Ghost
Victoria Bright: Jostling Joker
Cara Carnes: Protecting Mari
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Beast
Kendra Mei Chailyn: Barbie
Kend
ra Mei Chailyn : Pitbull
Melissa Kay Clarke: Rescuing Annabeth
Melissa Kay Clarke: Safeguarding Miley
Samantha A. Cole: Handling Haven
Samantha A. Cole: Cheating the Devil
Sue Coletta: Hacked
Melissa Combs: Gallant
KaLyn Cooper: Rescuing Melina
Liz Crowe: Marking Mariah
Jordan Dane: Redemption for Avery
Jordan Dane: Fiona’s Salvation
Riley Edwards: Protecting Olivia
Riley Edwards: Redeeming Violet
Riley Edwards, Recovering Ivy
Nicole Flockton: Protecting Maria
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Erin
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Suzie
Nicole Flockton: Guarding Brielle
Casey Hagen: Shielding Nebraska
Casey Hagen: Shielding Harlow
Casey Hagen: Shielding Josie
Casey Hagen: Shielding Blair
Desiree Holt: Protecting Maddie
Kathy Ivan: Saving Sarah
Kathy Ivan: Saving Savannah
Kathy Ivan: Saving Stephanie
Jesse Jacobson: Protecting Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Fighting for Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Defending Honor
Jesse Jacobson: Summer Breeze
Silver James: Rescue Moon
Silver James: SEAL Moon
Silver James: Assassin’s Moon
Silver James: Under the Assassin’s Moon
Becca Jameson: Saving Sofia
Kate Kinsley: Protecting Ava
Heather Long: Securing Arizona
Heather Long: Guarding Gertrude
Heather Long: Protecting Pilar
Heather Long: Covering Coco
Gennita Low: No Protection
Guarding Faith Page 15