Page 105 of Deadly Designs

The door swung open.

“Get moving.”

Christian waited until Aja Blue was through beforegrabbing her and pulling her aside. He covered her with his body asa gunshot sounded. Kayne wrestled the weapon away from Dirk,breaking his wrist in the process. The man had no chance against aformer Navy SEAL. Presley pounced, trapping Dirk’s legs andzip-tying them together, while Nicole—who obviously hadn’t stayedin the SUV as instructed—hobbled into the room, presumably to checkon the downed woman.

“Christian?”

“Yeah, baby. I’ve got you. You’re safe now.” She wasshaking almost violently, and the blue scrubs she wore were coveredin blood.

“W-what are you d-doing out of the hospital?”

“Coming to get you. You scared the life out of me . .. Aja Blue?”

Her body went slack, and she would’ve slid to theground if he hadn’t been holding her up. He lifted her into hisarms. “Aja Blue, honey, can you hear me?”

Kayne jumped up and ran over to where Christian wascarefully placing her on the ground.

“Damn it, she’s been shot,” Kayne said.

Panic unlike anything he’d ever known immobilizedChristian when he saw the hole in her side. He forgot every bit ofhis training. It flew out of his head.

“No, no, no,” he chanted.

Someone was banging against his shoulder, but heignored it.

“Damn it, Christian, move,” Presley ordered. “Let mehelp her.”

He knew Presley had paramedic training, yet he wasreluctant to let go of Aja Blue’s hand. He was afraid if he did,she would leave him. With another forceful shove, Presley tookover, helping Kayne stabilize her while Nicole spoke into herphone.

Someone’s whimpering caught his attention, and hishead snapped to Dirk lying on the ground. Without consciousthought, Christian roared to his feet and pounced on him, wrappinghis hands around the man’s scrawny neck.

“Christian, man, he’s not worth it. Let the systemtake care of him.” Kayne gripped his shoulders.

“If anything happens to her, I will kill you,” hepromised Dirk.

“You can’t threaten me! He just threatened me. Youheard him. I’ll sue you.”

Kayne pulled Christian off. “I heard nothing,scumbag. But if something happens to her, I’ll help him end yourmiserable life.”

The wail of sirens grew closer. Christian was barelyaware of patrons in various stages of undress pouring out of theirrooms to check out the excitement. An ambulance arrived, and whenthe crew headed toward Dirk, who was screaming for their help,Kayne diverted them to Aja Blue instead.

Christian’s heart raced as he watched them work onher and then lift her onto the gurney. He jogged after them,climbing inside the ambulance behind one of the paramedics.

“We’ll meet you there,” Kayne said as the doorsclosed.

Aja Blue looked so pale as he stroked the hair fromher face. There was so much he wanted to say to her, things todiscuss, their future being at the top of the list. She had to beokay because he couldn’t live without her. His life was wherevershe was. If she wanted to stay in Norfolk, he’d quit his job eventhough he loved it. Christian had found a second family when hesigned on with COBRA Securities. It was his dream position, and hecouldn’t imagine doing anything else. But Aja Blue was his prioritynow. She was his future. He’d give up everything for her, includinghis life, if it meant she didn’t have to suffer.

His brows dipped, and he noticed the bruise formingon her cheek.

“Christian?”

His eyes snapped to hers, and he leaned forward tostroke her hair. “Hey, babe. You’re back with me.”

“I’m not dying, am I?”

“God, no!”

“Then why are you scowling? It’s kinda scary.”

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