Her body froze. She hadn’t expected to talk about marriage today. They were here to ensure that her parents were safe. Her father nodded, “So you do want to marry our Natalie.”
Galen stood and towered over her family. “Absolutely.”
Her mother’s voice was the calming tone as she asked, “Natalie, sweetie, do you want to marry Galen?”
Adrenaline and the question of what might happen next were her entire focus. Thinking about the future wasn’t possible right now. “Yes, I do, but I can’t think about that until they catch whoever threatened you here.”
“We aren’t sure it was a direct threat sweetie.” Her mother patted the mattress. “Security was being cautious.”
Natalie fixed her glasses and glanced from one beloved face to the other. “Well I was worried about you. You’re my parents.”
“Security took your flowers from the other day,” her mother mentioned as if this was strange.
Could they change the subject? “I can get you more flowers, Mom.”
Her mother massaged her shoulder like she was the one who needed to calm down. “You’ve already given me a reason to get well and get out of the hospital. I can’t wait to see our baby in a white dress on her wedding day.”
Heat formed in her face. This wasn’t the time to talk about weddings, not when some crazy person was trying to hurt her. “Mom.”
Galen patted her father on the back and walked toward the door with him. “Security is returning.”
The room quieted when the security guard entered. “We’re going to need everyone to stay here while we handle something outside.”
Galen crossed his arms and acted like he was lord of the manor. “What’s going on?”
The security guard lowered his head. “Nothing to concern yourself with, Mr. Morgan. We’re prepared.”
Galen clearly wasn’t letting it go as he widened his stance. Her father had the same attitude and lifted his chin. “Do you know who’s threatening the hospital and why security is so concerned with us?”
“Mr. Dubois was just seen near the parking lot.” The guard spoke into a mic and left.
The door locked and they all heard the snap. Galen then patted her father on the back like they were partners. “Natalie dated a Rocco Dubois in college.”
Great. Natalie slumped on the bed next to her mother. “Was that the boy who cheated on you, sweetie?”
“Yeah,” Natalie said.
Galen informed her father of the rest. “Turns out he’s a bad guy who’s been following Natalie all week. I won’t let anyone get to her, but what is going on here at the hospital might be related.”
Her father’s eyes widened in surprise.
Her mother massaged her arm like she was still a toddler. “We never liked him anyhow.”
Both men returned to their seats, but her father leaned forward with his hands folded between his legs. “Why is he targeting Natalie?”
Galen met her gaze as he said, “Now that we don’t know yet.”
Her father nodded. “I’m told your house is safer than Fort Knox.”
Galen turned toward her father and again acted like they were working together. “My family has more than a few enemies. My father alone caused more trouble than any man should in life, so we take security extremely seriously.”
Her dad said, “Your father is why I hesitate with giving my full blessing on your wedding, son.”
Natalie’s breath caught in her throat. Galen’s father had never met her, as he was dead, but from what she heard and read, he was horrible. Galen certainly acted like he wanted nothing to do with him and at work once confided when they found their sister alive, that his father was the devil himself.
Galen sat straight and stiff in his chair. “I’m nothing like him. Neither are my brothers.”
Oh goodness. She needed to move. Now. She heard her heartbeat, but finally broke her silence. “Dad, Galen is a stand-up guy who says what he means and goes after what he wants. He reminds me of you a little.”
Her father pulled his attention from Galen to her, shaking his head. “Natalie.”
No. She hopped off the thin hospital bed and stood near her father, taking Galen’s hand. “It’s true, Dad. And I love Galen. I want you to be happy for us.”
Galen kept his lips pressed together, his expression anguished as he waited for her dad’s reaction.
“I see.” Dad didn’t let her down, rising to hug her. “Then I’m happy, if my girl is happy.”
“Good,” her mom said. “All I want is Natalie’s happiness too.”
The door unlocked, and Galen and her father crossed the room to talk quietly with the security guard. Natalie heard Galen ask, “Any news?”
Her mother whispered, “He’s very handsome, sweetie.”
She went and sat next to her mom again, careful not to jostle her frail body. “I know, Mom. And that’s only part of his charm.” They shared a smile.
Galen and her dad returned and Galen said, “Maria Hernandez tried to get into the hospital, and the police now have her in custody.” Her heart beat faster. Was this over? They’d all be safe.
Galen’s light touch on her back calmed her. “We should get back to my house for the time being so security and the doctors can do their jobs here.”
Her father spoke to Galen like he expected a sacred sacrifice. “Promise me you’ll keep my daughter safe.”
Natalie wasn’t weak. She never had been. All her life she saw how her mother and father were equals who worked together, and one day, she’d like the same in her marriage. She lifted her chin. “Dad, I’m fine on my own.” She’d gotten her apartment right out of college and paid her bills, even contributing to the medical expenses for her mom.
Galen rubbed her back, as he told her father, “I’ll protect her with my own life if I must.”
Seriously? She held her tongue, because she wasn’t sure where to start. She’d always watched out for herself.
Her father shook Galen’s hand and then hugged her tight. “Then Natalie, you better get going with Galen. We’ll see you both tomorrow, when all the excitement here is over.”
“I love you, Mom and Dad.” She kissed them goodbye.
She and Galen went down the hall with security flagging them. At the elevator, Galen pressed the button and said, “Hopefully when we get home, we’ll have answers.”
Right. She touched her necklace. “I hate leaving my parents like this.”
The doors opened, and they went inside with two guards. “They are safe and your mom is getting the care she needs. If you want, we can talk about a private nurse.”
They went down in silence. She slipped her hand in his as the doors opened, and they went toward the front door. Police sirens and officers were everywhere. Security followed them.
Natalie’s skin prickled but she pressed her hand on Galen’s shoulder. “Galen, I love you. It’s why I want to marry you.”
He kissed her forehead, his demeanor alert. “Come on. I’ll feel better once we are home.”
Fair enough. The hospital was full of people. The police were watching the ER and ambulances. Cars were being stopped and checked. Perhaps now wasn’t the best time to bring up emotions, so she shrugged. “Okay, we’ll talk more then.”
“Yes, Natalie, we will.”
Galen paused to talk to an officer and then he motioned for her to join him as they walked into the parking lot, completely secure.
The moment they made it to Galen’s car the officers left them and returned to checking the hospital’s front entrance, though if Maria was caught already, the extra security seemed unnecessary.
Galen unlocked his car with a click and walked her toward the passenger seat. As he reached for the handle, a car sped from nowhere and blocked his SUV. Galen yelled at her, “Keep your head down.”
A crack sounded in the air. “What was that?” Too loud to be a firecracker.
He threw open the passenger side door and shouted, “Get in Natalie!”
<
br /> She jumped in mostly out of instinct. However Galen never made it to the driver’s side. She saw him by the front window and watched in horror as someone shot at him. Her heart raced and her entire body felt cold when he jumped over the cement block, out of her view.
He could be lying in a pool of his own blood, dying and she was trapped in the car.
She needed to act. Now. She looked around—where was the shooter? The police were running toward them. She screamed, “Galen!”
But she couldn’t see him.
Then her door rattled and the butt of a gun shattered the glass of her window. A hand snaked in and opened her door. She stared into the cold steely eyes of Rocco. “Natalie, if you want your parents to live, you’ll get in my car. Now.”
Her parents were in the hospital—safe. Her mind raced. She had no idea where Galen was or what had just happened. The police were thirty seconds away. She needed to stay alive and had only her instincts to help her.
Rocco grabbed for her arm and pulled her ankle. “Now, Natalie.”
“Do I look stupid?” She kicked him with all her might to get him off and hugged the car seat so she couldn’t be budged, not without ripping her in half.
Rocco rubbed his chin where her foot had landed. “You asked for it.”
“Stop!” A policeman shouted, coming closer.
Instead of reaching for her again, Rocco turned and ran. Where? She knew quickly that it wasn’t over.
Natalie searched the cement block and exhaled in relief when Galen popped his head over the cement. She tapped the front windshield of the SUV and cried out for him. “Galen!”
The police arrived and chased Rocco toward his car, but she heard a squeal of tires.
Everything was a blur except Galen’s brown eyes. A color movie passed her, and she barely noticed officers in blue race by.
Galen’s face was pale and he motioned for her to stay put. Once the officers passed, he hopped over the cement block and she saw blood on his shoulder. Oh goodness, he must have been hurt from that bullet or loud bang that might have been a bomb and all because of her.
No! She stepped out of the door but heard sirens and police screaming orders for her not to move. Her heart dropped to her stomach. Galen had to be okay.
Galen’s shoulder had gone numb. He waited for the police to give them the okay, though every cell in his body demanded he go to Natalie in the passenger side of his SUV.
Seeing her kick for her life churned his stomach, but she’d gotten Rocco with her foot.
The police finished and gave him the all-clear and Galen rushed toward her, stepping on shattered glass. He wrapped his arms around her and she jumped out of the car. Her skin was warm and her hair was silky across his cheek. “Natalie!”
She kissed his face. “Galen, thank God you’re okay.”
“I saw you fight him off.” He held her tight, ignoring the pain on his right side.
She let him go, but kissed his cheek as she tugged on his shirt. “I don’t want to think about that. The police were coming. I was worried about you. Let’s get you inside.”
Right. He’d been shot. He had a hard time remembering but there was blood on his new shirt in the front and back. Natalie didn’t need to worry though. They needed to have a conversation about love and how that was an illusion, but he kept his lips sealed on that topic, for now. He shook his head. “I’m fine.”
“You were shot.” She guided him toward the hospital.
As he could think and move, the wound probably wasn’t that bad.
The police had surrounded Rocco’s car, but Galen didn’t stick around to see what happened next. Natalie tugged at him to go. Police, patients, doctors and visitors crowded the entrance, but Natalie led him toward patient care. He took his phone from his back pocket with a wince. Ignoring the pain, he texted his brother. “Fine, as long as I can see Luke this time.”
A nurse took his ID and insurance card while Natalie signed in as family so she could stay with him. Once the nurse processed their information, she tucked her arm around his waist like he was the crippled one. “I know your brother. Let’s get going.”
One of the Morgan Security guards appeared in the hall as if searching for someone and Galen stopped to grill them for whatever information they had. “Wait.”
“You need help.” Natalie answered fast and tugged on his arm to get him to move.
Soon, but he wouldn’t put her in danger again because he’d been slow. He directed her toward the security guard. “What happened?”
The man nodded, spoke on his radio and said, “Miami PD has Rocco Dubois in custody, sir. Rafe is getting all the information and will have it for you in a few minutes.”
“Good.” He hoped the threat was finished.
Natalie didn’t even blink. She tugged on his arm again. “Then we’ll have answers after you see a doctor.”
He looked down and saw his shirt was soaked with more blood. Perhaps she was right though he felt nothing. He waved off the guard and walked with her toward his brother who had come out of the waiting room with the nurse.
Luke gestured for them to follow him back to a private room. Galen held himself together, but asked Natalie quietly, “Do you want to be checked first?”
Her laugh held a note of alarm as she stared at his bloody shirt. “I’m fine. At most I’ll have a bruise but that doesn’t matter. You put me in the SUV so I had shelter—that’s why you were shot.”
“I improvised with the cement blocks.” Being unable to help Natalie against Rocco made his insides freeze. “Not being able to get to you in those seconds petrified me.”
She scoffed but led him into the room where his brother directed them. “I was more worried about you.”
“Luke.” Galen shook his brother’s hand though he could tell from Luke’s expression that he intended a full exam, immediately. At least he could trust his brother to give him the best care without sugar-coating.
His brother eyed him sharply and then pointed toward the hospital bed. Galen sat and unbuttoned his shirt without being asked. Luke said, “Galen. I don’t normally do ER anymore as treating gunshot wounds isn’t my thing—but for you, I’ll make an exception. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
Luke cut the shirt off because it was stuck to his back. Natalie winced. Galen grunted when his doctor brother poked the wound. Now it began to pinch and hurt—he preferred numb.
Natalie bravely waited at his side, with a quiet, concerned expression. Once Luke finished cleaning the area, she asked, “Is he okay?”
“The fact that Galen is still talking is a good sign, but I’ll order an x-ray so we know what steps to take next.” Luke wrote in a chart on his tablet. He looked up when done and said, “I think the bullet went right through his flesh without hurting anything important, but I need him up and moving for my wedding, so I want to make sure.”
Orderlies came in with a gurney.
Galen sat up, which caused a sharp pain in his side. He ignored it while he settled on the bed they brought for him. Once he was done, he met his brother’s gaze. “Wait with Natalie until I get back, Luke.” He didn’t want her left alone.
“I will,” Luke agreed, turning to Natalie. “Caro mentioned wanting to talk to you, so you can call from my office. Nice to see you again, Natalie.”
Natalie gave his brother a tremulous smile. “Thanks Luke. You seem happier than I remember in college. Your wedding will be amazing as you two are clearly meant to be and I’m so excited you finally told Caro you loved her.”
“It wasn’t that obvious.”
“But it was,” Natalie said while she waited with his brother now out of earshot as the orderlies brought him down the hall. At least he knew Natalie was safe. His brothers were the closest allies he’d ever have, and Luke had the easiest to talk to personality out of all the Morgans.
The x-ray took only a few minutes, probably because his brother ordered it for him, and Dr. Luke Morgan had some clout. The room was empty when the orde
rlies returned him. He sat up and called out, “Natalie?”
“I’m here.” She rushed in from across the hall. “I was in Luke’s office, on the phone with Caro. Their wedding sounds nice. How are you?”
“Let’s ask Luke for the test results.”
Luke followed her in at a much slower pace and began to bandage Galen’s side as he said, “I can confirm. The bullet grazed your skin, but didn’t puncture a lung or break a rib, which is what I thought from your stable condition. You’re going to be sore, but you can go home.”
Good. Other than the sting, he felt fine.
Once they went home, he needed to talk to Natalie about her declaration of love earlier. Love was an illusion women often claimed existed but only ended up causing emotional damage to women instead. He’d seen this with his own eyes growing up. For now, he sat up once his brother finished with the bandage and held out his hand to shake. “Thanks Luke.”
His brother hugged him instead. “I’ll get the paperwork started and get you out of here. Oh, and your mother called, but I didn’t tell her anything. I figured you’d want to talk to Fiona herself.”
“I’ll tell her when we’re home,” Galen answered.
Luke left them alone and Natalie scooted her chair closer to him. “Dr. Morgan gives fast service. Must be nice to have family on call. Are you ready to go home, Galen?”
The muscles in his neck and shoulders tensed. He needed to find out what had happened and the reason behind Rocco and Maria’s actions. All of this medical treatment took way too long. He swallowed, ignored the pain as he stretched his arm and tugged his phone out of his back pocket. “I’m calling Rafe now.”
“Sounds good,” she nodded. “Put him on speaker so I can hear.”
This had been her life under attack. “Sure.” His phone rang a few times, and finally his brother-in-law answered. “Rafe, what have you found out?”
Rafe’s voice was clear. “Natalie was being targeted by the crime organization. Rocco’s past with her was the entrance they wanted to use.”
“What?” Natalie stood in alarm. “Why though?”
“We don’t know for sure,” Rafe said, “but my hunch is that this leads back to either what happened in the fertility doctor’s office or something else that happened that day. I need you both to write down everything, no matter how unimportant you think it might be.”
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