Page 91 of Forever and Other Lies

Sonny lunged toward Derek with the syringe.

“Derek, the needle, it’s lethal,” Jayna screamed.

Derek darted to the left when Sonny tried to jab him. Raising his right hand, Derek’s fist plowed into Sonny’s face, connecting with the already injured nose. The syringe went flying to the ground again.

Jayna watched in terror as the two men grappled, feeling useless with her hands still bound. They rolled across the floor, knocking over jars and tools off the wooden shelving, the noise echoing in the confined space.

Derek landed another powerful punch to Sonny’s jaw, stunning the paramedic. He quickly pinned Sonny down, breathing heavily.

“Are you okay?” He glanced over his shoulder after he grabbed a roll of duct tape off the shelf and bound Sonny’s hands behind him.

Jayna nodded, tears of relief streaming down her face. “Yes.”

The sound of sirens blared in the distance, growing louder. Derek stood up, rushing over to the cot. He grabbed scissors off the table and cut the ties from her wrists.

“It’s going to be okay. You’re safe now,” he said softly.

Jayna's hands were freed, but she didn't move immediately. Instead, she stared at Derek. He’d come for her. She threw her arms around him, clinging to him as if he were her lifeline. "I knew you would come," she sobbed into his shoulder, her voice trembling.

Chapter 45

She knew he’d come. Laying on the gurney, Jayna couldn’t breathe, couldn’t swallow. She couldn’t pull her gaze off Derek. She’d felt fear before, but nothing like this. This was crippling. She was terrified that she was dreaming and was still locked in that dungeon of horror.

“Ouch.” That worked to pull her back to the present. Her eyes moved to the young paramedic student who was attempting to start an IV.

“Stick me one more time. I dare you!” she hissed and pulled her left arm free. “I’m fine. I don’t need an IV.”

“It’s procedure,” the paramedic stated. This was the newbie she’d beaten at pool a couple of months back. Apparently, playing pool wasn’t the only thing he sucked at.

“I’m fine,” she repeated. She wasn’t fine. Far from it. But she needed to keep her composure, otherwise she’d completely lose it.

Someone grabbed her right hand. She turned. Derek. The expression on his face was grim. He had a scratch across his cheek, probably from the scuffle with Sonny.

She tugged her hand free from his grasp because it felt too damn good. He was making her feel safe and wanted. He had come for her, like she knew he would. The thought absolutely terrified her, almost as much as realizing that Sonny was a monster.

“Can you both stop fussing? I’m fine!” she snapped. She didn’t want to be fussed over. If she focused on being pissed off that people were fussing over her, then she wouldn’t focus on the fact that she’d almost…no, she wasn’t going to go there.

“The patient is being uncooperative,” the baby paramedic tattled.

Lance appeared at his side. Great! Lance was here, too.

“I’ll show you uncooperative.” She glared at the snitch.

Burke appeared next to Lance. “I know that you’ve been through an ordeal, Jayna, but I can’t have you threatening the paramedics. They’re just trying to do their job.”

“Whatever,” she muttered and pulled her hand free from Derek’s grasp yet again. “Stop mauling me!” What she wanted was for him to wrap his arms around her again and hold her forever. But he didn’t do forever. Neither did she. And if she gave in, she would most definitely fall apart. She didn’t want to fall apart in front of Derek.

“Well, stop making me worry,” Derek snapped back.

“I didn’t do it on purpose.”

“Right!” That cocky left eyebrow lifted.

“What do you mean, RIGHT?” She tried to sit up on the gurney. Mr. Terrible at IVs and shooting pool pushed her back down. She glared up at him. Rob, according to his name tag. Rob the Knob.

“You probably got yourself kidnapped on purpose, so I’d have to come to your rescue.” Derek took her hand in his, squeezing.

She yanked it free.

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