Page 148 of Montana Manhunt

“Right here.” Grant set the bag on the ground beside Noah. “What do you need?”

“Pressure bandages and a patch.”

Noah, hand in her mike bag, froze. “You’re nauseated?”

She nodded. “Side effect of the drug Jeff gave me and being pistol whipped.”

“Do you know what drug he gave you?”

She shook her head. “That’s why I don’t want pain meds even though I’d love to take something to dull the pain. I’m afraid to mix them.”

“Smart,” Grant murmured.

It took both of the officers to cuff Hanson, who cursed them and fought to escape. Once the officers secured Hanson’s hands behind his back, the younger officer read the chief his rights. Hanson continued to struggle as the officers marched him through the woods.

Noah motioned for Grant to turn around, then widened the slit in Violet’s shirt to examine her wound. He scowled. “This is deep.”

“Figured. Jeff used a five-inch blade.”

When he swabbed the wound with antiseptic, Violet sucked in a breath between clenched teeth.

“Sorry.” After Noah cleaned the wound, he ripped open a package with a pressure bandage and pressed it to the cut. “You’ll need stitches.”

“Definitely. Now the leg.”

Noah drew out his Ka-Bar and widened the slit over the thigh wound. “This one doesn’t seem to be as deep.”

“He was playing, passing the time until his father could join in the fun.”

“Where is Jeff?”

“In the cabin or hunting lodge where he held me captive unless he escaped. If he did, he’s planning to fly to the Maldives in a few hours.”

Noah cleaned her leg wound and bandaged it as well. He dumped the unused supplies back in the mike bag and gatheredthe medical detritus and shoved it into a hazard bag to dispose of later. “I need to take you to the hospital. Ready to get out of here?”

She nodded.

“I’ll get the mike bag,” Grant said. “You take care of your woman.”

“How is Rayne?”

“In surgery.” He winked at her. “The quicker we get you to the hospital, the faster I can check on her.” Grant stood, slid her mike bag over his shoulder, and set off through the trees.

Noah scooped her gently into his arms and followed his teammate. “Any other injuries I need to know about?”

“Probably have another concussion.”

He was silent a moment. “Anything else?”

“Bruises here and there. Nothing that won’t repair itself in time.” And because she knew the man she loved and what he feared for her sake, Violet cupped his cheek and said, “He didn’t rape me, Noah.”

His hold around her tightened. He gave a brief nod. The lines of tension in his body eased, though.

Minutes later, he placed her on the backseat of the SUV and climbed in with her. “Go,” he said to Grant.

“What about the police?” she asked. “Won’t they want to interview us?”

“They know we’ll be at the closest hospital. Zane is in contact with them.”

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