Page 16 of The Edge of Intensity

He doesn’t have to tell me twice. I quickly snatch my shirt from the floor and wipe the counter where I was sitting with it. I grab the rest of my clothes and run through the hallway to head for my bedroom.

Closing and locking the door behind me, I jog into the bathroom and throw the dirty clothes into the hamper. I turn on the shower and rush through cleaning myself. I wonder who is at the door and I wish I could hurry up, but my need to follow my routine doesn’t allow me to speed through it.

Ten minutes later I’m finally dressed and ready to check on Rourke when I hear multiple loud voices coming from the back of the house. I rush out of the bedroom, through the hall, and find the house empty. A scream that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end pierces the air.

Dread fills my veins because I recognize the voice. Cosima. She’s in pain? My fear and anxiety don’t keep me from running to the back door, but I do stop in my tracks when I see Parker carrying my sister’s bloody body.

CHAPTER EIGHT

– ROURKE –

“I need the doc to get here right fucking now. Yes, I’m on my way, just send him over.” I end the call and shove my phone back into my pocket when I notice Eastlynne running toward us.

“What happened?” she demands in a voice filled with panic.

“Get back inside the house. Now, Eastlynne,” I bark and don’t wait for her to listen but instead, I swoop her up and carry her inside.

I place her on her feet and hold the door open for Parker who carries Cosima inside. He gently places her down onto the couch.

“Grab some shit to clean the blood. Ice. We need something cold to reduce the swelling,” Parker orders and I stride into the kitchen to grab some clean towels.

Eastlynne is right behind me, grabbing the first aid kit along with a bag of peas from the freezer.

“What happened?” she hisses as we both rush back into the living room.

Parker takes the first aid kit from me and pops it open to get busy with treating Cosima’s injuries.

I take the bag of peas from Eastlynne and place it gently over Cosima’s eye when I tell her, “Parker came by to tell me that a herd of Longhorns broke free or that someone caused it. He asked if the animals were okay here, so we went out back to check. That’s where we stumbled onto someone kicking the shit out of your sister. Breeze’s stall was open. We think they might have tried to sneak her out and Cosima caught them.”

“Oh no,” Eastlynne gasps and stares horrified at her sister. “Why isn’t she talking? Is she conscious? Is she going to be okay?”

“Stop squeaking. My head hurts,” Cosima groans and tries to sit up while removing the bag of peas.

Parker wraps his fingers around her neck to keep her in place.

“Do not move,” he firmly states. “You took a few punches to the head and got kicked in other parts when you went down. There’s a doctor on the way and you need to stay in place until he says you’re fine to sit up. Understood? If not? I have no problem tying you down for your own safety.”

“You sound perfect.” I’m sure the woman tries to hum, but it sounds more like a groan. “A hand on my throat and a threat to tie me up. Why now? I finally meet a man who sounds like he can live up to some spicy hot and nakedness, and I look like a punching bag. Eastlynne, at least tell me he’s hot. I can’t open my eyes to check.”

Parker chuckles. “It’s good to hear your sister has enough sass to joke around when shit gets bad.”

Eastlynne huffs and grumbles, “She’s not joking. If anything, it sounds like there’s nothing wrong with her.”

“Is that so?” Parker croons with interest.

“Stop that dirty mind of yours right fucking now,” I snap at my VP. “That’s my old lady’s sister you’re flirting with. Not to mention, she just got the shit kicked out of her.”

Cosima groans. “I’m in pain. At least give me something to distract me.”

“Anytime you need a distraction? Come find me,” Parker fucking whispers to her. “You know where I live.”

Cosima winces when she turns toward the fucker’s voice. “Sounds nice, pretty boy. But we’ll see. Specifically because I cannot see right now and you could be butt-ugly.”

“Then I’ll blindfold you before I hogtie you and fuck you from behind,” Parker states and I’m ready to grab the fucker by the throat and hogtie him my-fucking-self so I can kick him out of the damn house.

Cosima chuckles and abruptly stops to groan, “Ouch.”

“Prez, can you check if the doc is here yet? I want to give her some painkillers ’cause I hate seeing her in pain, but I’m not sure what the doc has in mind. Human meds and bodies aren’t my strong points. Now if she was a mare.”

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