Page 54 of Sizzling Nights

"Can you get up?"

"Yeah." She began to sit up and Marco's gentle hands lifted her back from the pavement until she was in a sitting position.

He grinned. "Okay?"

"Yeah."

"Okay. Now up you come."

He pushed the material from her gown away and displayed her feet. One of her heels had flown off, one was lying near her foot. Marco picked up the shoe next to her, then glanced around for the other. He nodded, but instead of reaching for it, he turned his attention to her. "Do you need me to help you?"

"Maybe." She took a breath. "No, I can do it." She started to move into a standing position and a slice of pain from her hip made her gasp. "Maybe some help."

He gently lifted her to her feet. "Get your balance."

She stood stock still and tested her balance. He held his arm out firmly. "Use me for balance. Let's try to walk."

She took two steps and let out a deep breath. "I'm good. My left hip is a bit sore. But I'm good."

He nodded. "Okay, hang on."

He retrieved her other high heel, then held his arm out to her. She glanced around and found the man who had been running toward her lying on the pavement face down, about three feet from her. Another man lay near her feet. Mitch had the other one, face down on the pavement with his hands zip-tied behind his back.

"You shot them." It was more of a statement than anything. She was beginning to process what had happened. Marco shot the men threatening her.

"I wasn't going to let them take you. And Mitch shot one of them."

35

Marco sat on the bumper of the ambulance as EMTs looked at his lip. It had a nice split in it, but that was it. He was going to have a shiner tomorrow, and one of those fuckers caught his ribs with a fist, but nothing was broken.

"All set, Mr. Karason."

"Thanks."

He stood and hefted himself into the ambulance with a grimace and a groan. He sat on the cot next to Theresa who already had a bruise on the side of her beautiful face. Nothing was broken though.

He took her hand and held it. She currently had a thermometer in her mouth. Her hair was askew, and her dress was a mess. But she was still the most beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on. He leaned over and kissed her temple. His lip ached slightly, but it was worth it.

The EMT pulled the thermometer from her mouth and read it. "Ninety-eight. You're normal."

Theresa laughed. "Hardly. How many normal people do you know that are attacked at a charity ball and almost kidnapped?"

The SMT smiled. "Well, I'll give you that. You’re all set.

Marco stood gingerly. His ribs hurt like a bitch, but it was a muscular injury and he'd be good in a couple of days.

He held his hand out to Theresa, and she took it and stood. Her shoes were somewhere else. Her adorable toes poked out from under her tattered dress.

She looked up at him. "Where's Mitch?"

"He's out there waiting for us. He spoke with the police after I did."

"Okay. Do I have to speak to them now?"

"I think Mitch arranged for you to come in tomorrow."

She nodded. "Tomorrow the final exposé releases. The heat should be largely off. At least that's my hope."

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