The room was suddenly filled with light, causing a groan of pain to burst from Katherine as the white blare stung her eyes; instantly causing them to burn and water and the throbbing in her head to increase.
“I got the breaker, Detective,” she heard the patrolman call. “I’ve got him!”
“Is…is he okay?” she asked softly. As she asked, she heard the distinct sound of a moan, and prayed that it was Jeff and that he was all right. She couldn’t handle someone else being hurt because of her.
In the next instant she was lifted in Cole’s strong arms and carried through the store and outside to the ambulance that was pulling up in front. She shook her head, trying hard to stave off the rush of nausea assaulting her. “Get Jeff; I’m fine.”
“Katherine, you could have a concussion,” he argued. “And, Christ…you’re bleeding.” She swore that she could feel his arms shaking as he held her, and just wanted so much to soothe him. She wanted him to know that she was all right.
“No, please. Have them take care of Jeff. Please, Cole,” she argued adamantly, her eyes pleading with him. Begging him.
“Inside…in back, we have a man down,” she heard Cole grind out to the paramedics through clenched teeth, and she knew that he was not the least bit happy about it. She laid her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes, trying to quiet the pounding in her head and comfort him at the same time.
“Fuck this,” she heard Cole mutter as he walked over to his car. He opened the door and gently set her inside. “Patterson!” he called, and she heard the patrolman come running. “I’m taking her to the hospital. Seal this area off until Ben gets here. He shouldn’t be far behind,” he slammed her door shut and bounded around the car, his steps quick and purposeful. “I don’t want anyone but fucking crime scene here, got it? No one leaves until this place is cordoned off. I want every fucking tech we have here giving this place the once over.”
Katherine opened her eyes and watched as they wheeled Jeff out on a stretcher. Her hand immediately went to the door handle and she yanked it open, sliding out of the car. She unsteadily stood on shaky legs just as Cole came rushing back over to her, his face a twisted mass of emotion; fear, anger…desperation.
“Katherine,” he murmured softly, his arm going around her and pulling her close against his body. “I need to get you to the hospital.”
Katherine shook her head, which only caused her head to spin, making her feel as if she were going to toss her cookies, and she silently prayed that she could force it back. “I need to know that Jeff is all right,” she insisted stubbornly. “This is all because of me.”
“Damn it,” Cole hissed under his breath as he eased her back down onto the seat. “Just stay here,” he instructed her. “Please. I’ll be right back.” It was a gentle, yet firm command, and she found herself unable to argue with him.
She nodded and watched as he trotted over to the ambulance and spoke to one of the paramedics as they loaded Jeff into the back.
He came bounding back over to the car and slipped into the driver’s side beside her, his face a mask of fury. She watched as he gripped the steering wheel tightly, that nerve in his jaw twitching as he stared out of the windshield, a tremor racing across his body.
“Cole?”
Cole’s body jerked as he turned to look at her…and she saw it then. He was absolutely terrified. It was deeply etched in his perfect features. “He’ll be fine,” he whispered. “He was knocked pretty hard in the back of the head, but he’ll be okay. He’ll just need a few stitches, and some rest. The goddamned back door was wide open and the front locked.” His words were clipped, almost robotic, and she watched as his hands clenched and unclenched on the wheel.
“I…I locked the front when I came in,” she explained softly. “Habit.”
Cole started the car and pulled away from the curb, his anger rolling off him in waves. He was silent until they pulled up in front of the hospital. He threw the car viciously into park and turned towards her, his eyes boring into hers. The emotion she saw in his face caused her heart to skip a beat. It was raw…gut wrenching.
“I thought that bastard had…” he choked out, his voice nothing more than a hoarse groan. He shook his head harshly, as if chasing away an image. “I never want to fucking feel that way again, Katherine. Never.” With that being said, he jumped from the car and ran over to her side, opening it up and lifting her from the seat.
“Cole…I can walk,” she protested, a part of her needing him to see that she could, if only to alleviate his fears. She needed to prove to him that she was all right. That she didn’t need him to coddle her. That…she could stand on her own. It would make it so much easier to break it off with him. If nothing else, the silence of the car had given her the chance to think, and seeing that pain in his face was the final straw. She couldn’t do this to him. It was time for her to run once again; a new place…a new name...a new life. The thought of a life without Cole was sobering, but she realized that it was what she needed to do.
“Like Hell,” he practically growled as he made his way through the hospital doors and called for assistance. “You’re lucky that you’re not riding in the back of an ambulance like you should be,” he bit out, and she knew now that he was, indeed trembling. Dear Lord.
***
“There are no outward signs of a concussion,” the doctor said gently, giving Katherine a small smile. “I’m sure you will have one hell of a headache in the morning though, and thankfully the cut on your forehead wasn’t that bad.” The physician patted her hand gently. “Head wounds have the tendency to bleed more than you would think. It can be quite frightening.” He gave Katherine a gentle smile and all she could think was…you have no idea about frightening. “Just take a few aspirin for the pain, and if that doesn’t help, call me and I’ll get you a prescription for something stronger.”
Cole sat in the chair beside the examining table, his mouth set in a tight line, his expression dark and brooding. He glared at the Doctor as he touched Katherine, wanting to spring from his seat and deck the bastard. Jesus Christ! He was beyond strung tight; he was absolutely insane!
***
When the doctor had asked that he leave while he examined her, Katherine thought that Cole would positively explode. He had refused, plain and simple, his tone letting the man know that it was not going to happen, nor was it even open for discussion. The physician had looked at her questioningly and she had only given him a slight nod, letting him know that it was fine. What could she do? The man was a force of nature.
“Can I go home now?” she asked, praying that they wouldn’t insist on admitting her for observation. She hated hospitals almost as much as she hated police stations. Both places were surrounded in death and suffering.
“Do you have someone who can keep an eye on you tonight, Miss Chastain?” the doctor asked, his monotone voice beginning to grate on her nerves, and she watched as his gaze slipped to Cole, then back to her.
“I won’t let her out of my sight,” Cole replied darkly. And it hit her then like a bat to the back of her head. He blamed himself for this! For everything that had happened tonight! He blamed himself. What. The. Hell?
She looked over at him and a shiver ran up her spine. Keep playing with that cop and he dies. He won’t even see it coming. The words whispered across her mind and she felt her panic beginning to swell. That was not going to happen, she thought with a stiffening of her spine. She would not allow it.
“I just want out of here,” she choked out, praying that she could find the strength that she needed to do what had to be done.
“Let me call up for a wheelchair,” the doctor said, jotting something down on his chart, but Katherine just shook her head.
“That’s not necessary,” she insisted stubbornly, slipping from the table. “I can walk.”
“I’m sorry, but it’s hospital policy, Miss Chastain,” he said, watching as Cole stood immediately and wrapped his arm protectively around her.
> “I’m fine,” she responded and headed for the door, ignoring the physician’s protests.
***
As they were walking down the hall towards the exit, Katherine stopped. “I need to see Jeff,” she said, trying hard to keep her voice even. She was doing her best to stay as calm as possible. It was time that she manned up. She just couldn’t do this anymore. She was putting everyone that she cared about in danger, and she just couldn’t do it. These people didn’t ask to be brought into her nightmare.
Cole nodded and eased her down onto a nearby chair, his fingers skimming across her cheek. “Let me find out if he’s been admitted,” he said softly before walking over to the nurse’s station and talking to the pretty little nurse standing behind the desk. She gave him a smile that was much more than simply friendly as Cole spoke to her, but Katherine saw that he didn’t even seem to notice. That is who he should be with, she thought sadly, her heart clenching painfully in her chest; someone who’s normal. Not a freak that brings death wherever she goes. Not someone that because of her, he could possibly get killed. No, he deserved more.
He was back only a moment later and helped her to her feet, leading her down the hall. He pushed open a door and ushered her through, keeping his hand at the small of her back possessively, as if he were afraid that she would disappear from him if he lost the contact.
***
Jeff lay there in the bed, his eyes closed, his breathing soft and even. Thank God, Katherine thought with a sigh. No one else had died because of her. And, no one else would.
“Jeff?” she whispered, walking over to the bed. His eyes snapped open and she saw his surprise and relief at seeing her standing there.
“Katherine! Are you all right? Jesus, what in the hell is going on?” His eyes drifted to Cole for only a moment before snapping back to Katherine, studying every square inch of her face.
“I’m so sorry, Jeff,” she choked out, her eyes swimming with tears. “I didn’t know that he would…” she stopped short and had to fight the urge to turn into Coles arms and bury her face against his chest as he stepped up behind her and curved his hands over her shoulders. No! She wouldn’t! She couldn’t! She would not break.
“Who?” Jeff asked, his gaze flicking once again to Cole. “Katherine, I don’t understand what’s going on here. Wasn’t this just a robbery?”
“Jeff, please. Just rest and get well so that you can go home. I’ve decided that…I’m going to close the store. I’ll make sure that you get enough severance and a letter of recommendation. But…please, you have to just trust me that this is for the best. Just know that I’m sorry. So…sorry.” With that, she turned and stepped around Cole, rushing for the door. Preparing herself to run; yet again.
“Katherine! Wait!” She heard Jeff call, but she kept her head down and kept moving, not looking back. She didn’t dare.
“We’ll be in touch,” Cole said, handing Jeff one of his cards before dashing out of the door behind her.
***
Cole caught up to Katherine at the elevators. He stepped up behind her and wrapped his arms around her middle, pulling her up against his chest…and felt her flinch.
“Don’t,” she choked out, refusing to even look at him; and damned if that didn’t just about kill him where he stood. It was about the equivalent of a kick straight to the gut.
“Baby…”
“I want to go home, Cole,” she bit out; much more harshly than she had intended, but she didn’t want him console her. She couldn’t. It would just make this all the harder, and if she turned and looked into those eyes of his…she knew that she would be lost. What little resolve that she had would be gone in a flash, and she would throw herself into his arms like she so wanted to do!
The elevator door opened and he ushered her in, following close behind, and she was hit with that scent that was all Cole as it wrapped itself around her, causing a shiver of longing to creep up her spine.
***
When the doors closed he turned her towards him with gentle hands. He saw her fighting hard to stay in control and he wanted nothing more than to pull her into his arms and hold her. He didn’t know what in the hell was going through her head at that particular moment, but from the way that she was acting, he knew that it couldn’t be good. His eyes flitted across the bandage on her forehead and rage surged through him. That bastard had fucking touched her! He had put his filthy hands on her! He took a deep breath and tried to get control of his anger with all that he had; but he was furious at this son of a bitch…and at himself for not being there to protect her. He had screwed up yet again and it could have just cost her life!
“Let’s get you back home and then we can have a glass of wine and a nice long talk,” he said raggedly, his nerves just about ready to snap, and he saw her entire body stiffen. Christ. Just what in the hell was going on with her?
“I…I want to go to my house, Cole” she said so softly that he barely heard her. “We need to…to stop this…what’s going on between us. It can’t continue. We need to stop this… now.” She said the last with a little more conviction, Cole noted, although he could still feel her fear. It was rippling off her body like the waves of the ocean.
It suddenly hit him like a damned thunder bolt. She was afraid for him. Sweet Jesus! What in the hell had that son of a bitch said to her? He knew that she was planning on running and he was not about to allow that to happen. There was just no freaking way.
“Sorry, Baby,” he replied, his tone smooth and even. He was not about to let this asshole dictate to them what they did. Oh, Hell no! “But; you’re coming home.” He emphasized that last word, wanting her to know that her house was no longer her home. His was. And he’d be damned if he would let her take off on him. That was not going to happen. She belonged with him. By his side. And he was damned well sure that that was how it was going to be.
“Cole…” Now it was his turn to cut her off. He took a step and backed her up against the wall of the elevator; but not before pushing the emergency stop button and the elevator jerked to a sudden halt. “What are you doing? Are you insane?” she gasped, but his mouth met hers, efficiently silencing her. His kiss was surprisingly gentle. Tender…not at all what she had been expecting. He tongue slid against hers, soft and easy, and she felt herself responding against all better judgment. She just couldn’t help herself. Not with him.
***
He kissed her… long and deep; his muscular frame pressing itself up against her soft curves. Dear God, she fit him like a glove, he thought with a shake. His body trembled from the pure impact of it all. He needed this woman. He needed her with him. It wasn’t just about the sex, it was about fucking everything.
When he had burst through those doors and found her lying there on the floor, her body so still, it was as if the universe had just stopped. He had never been so scared in all his life. It was as if the very breath was being sucked right out of his lungs. He couldn’t go through that again. He wouldn’t. And there was no way in hell that he was going to let her push him away because of some insane notion that she had put him in danger. Screw that noise.
He lifted his face and stared into her eyes, eyes that were filled with fear, pain…guilt–and he realized in that moment that he loved this woman. He loved her so much that it was nearly driving him insane. He wanted her safe. He wanted her happy. He wanted her. It was just a simple fact. He loved her.
“Katherine,” he said softly, his voice low, yet determined…completely raw and bare. It was time for honesty. “I am not letting you go. I’m sorry… but I just can’t. I know that you’re afraid that he’ll come after me, but let him. I welcome it. Because, Sweetheart, I’ll be ready. He will not touch you again. Never again.”
Katherine shook her head, her eyes glistening with tears. This just couldn’t happen. “He…he said that he’d kill you, Cole,” she whispered, her voice cracking with emotion, and she fought to stay strong. “I can’t let that happen.”
“Let him just try,
” Cole snarled, his voice rough, determined, and she so wanted to believe it. She wanted that more than anything. But she also knew that she couldn’t take that chance with Cole’s life. She cared for him way too much to let anything happen to him.
“Please, Cole… don’t,” she quietly begged, her heart breaking into a million tiny little pieces and scattering like dust in the wind. She couldn’t take much more. She just couldn’t! It was as if everything was crashing down around her and sucking the life from her.
“Don’t what?” he asked, suddenly sounding absolutely furious. His eyes clashed with hers, locking with and holding them in their hypnotic gaze, and she couldn’t have looked away if she had tried. They seemed to burn right into her very soul. His expression was dark…fierce, filled with heat. “Don’t protect you?” he growled, his blue depths darkening dangerously. “Don’t care for you? Don’t…love you?” he spat out, and heard her soft gasp of surprise, but he didn’t hesitate. “I’m sorry, Baby. It’s too damn late for any of that. Just too damn late.”
***
Katherine’s mouth dropped open in shock from the sheer power of his words, her heart twisting painfully in her chest. He had just told her that he loved her! Oh, God! How could he? She was a danger to him. Her body began to vibrate from the force of his confession. She loved him too, so damned much, that she was willing to give him up if it would only keep him safe. She couldn’t ask him to live like this. He deserved more… so much more than her nightmare. He deserved a happy, normal life. With a woman who was normal. Not her freak show. Not her constant drama. All she needed was to know that he was safe.
“I’m sorry…I can’t…” she croaked, wanting so much to tell him how she felt, but so afraid to. She had never loved anyone before, and her love for this man was a powerful thing. It was raw, pure, and she was going to be damned sure that she wouldn’t let it get him killed.
***
Cole gave her a lopsided grin, his anger leaving him in an instant. “You don’t have to say anything, Katherine…at least, not yet,” he chuckled quietly, but his expression belied his words. This man loved her. It was there in his eyes. “But, just know this… I am fully expecting you to tell me the truth once I catch this son of a bitch.” He pulled her to him then and she didn’t fight it this time. How could she? This man meant more to her than her own life. So, she just let him wrap his arms around her as she stood there in stunned silence, her heart pounding in her chest with such force that is was making her lightheaded. “And, I do expect to be hearing it quite a bit,” he whispered against her ear, his breath hot, erotic, filled with stubborn conviction. Filled with that confident strength that she loved so much. She felt him lean over and hit the button to start the elevator, not letting her go for an instant. The elevator kicked back into life with a sound jerk.
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