Page 78 of Instinct & New Identity

I turned to seeWadesquatting down next toCat, who was up against the tree, swaying as one hand reached up for her forehead.

“Cat!”Icalled out asIleapt the few feet over to her.

Had she been shot too?Therewere at least three shots fired, andIhadn’t checked to see where they went or who fired.

“Cat, baby, what’s wrong?”Iknelt down, placing a hand on her shoulder and gently guiding her back so she was seated, with her legs folded under her.

“I think she fell back and hit her head on the tree,”Wadeanswered for her. “Quickcheck shows no other severe injuries, but her head is bleeding in the back.”

I moved closer, not caring thatIessentially shovedWadeout of the way. “Kit-Cat, stay with me,”Itold her asIgently lifted her head so she would look at me.

At my command, she let out a pained groan.Notwanting to wait any longer,Igently scooped her up and barked out, “Where’sthe ambulance?”

I would just take her myself.Itried not to jostle her too much asImade my way through the wooded area.

I wasn’t going to let her die on my watch.

Not after everything elseIhad already put her through.

I would make sure she pulled through.Ihad to.

31

CAT

I woke up with a terrible headache and a severe case of nausea.Aquick glance told meIwas in the hospital.

“Oh myGod, you’re awake!” my sister shrieked.

Her voice sent shockwaves through my ears, causing my headache to worsen.Islammed my eyes shut again and winced as the pain spread all over my skull.

“Quiet, dammit,Shejust woke up,”Vince’svoice thundered at my sister, though his wasn’t much quieter.

“Sorry,”Valwhispered, andIfelt her soft hand grab ahold of mine.

After a few momentsItried opening my eyes again and sawValright next to me.Elliewas on my other side.Vincewas in the far corner near the window.Wade,Archer, andAxelwere all by the door, speaking with two officers.

I moved my eyes back toVince, who was staring back at me, but his eyes were all wrong.Helooked angry, defeated, and lost.

A cough broke through my train of thought, andIlooked over to see a doctor standing in the doorway. “Ms.Romano, good to see you’re awake.Howare you feeling?”

“My head hurts, and my throat hurts, but otherwise fine,Iguess.Andplease call meCat,”Iresponded groggily.

He nodded, then pulled up a chart and began reading parts of it. “Youhave a concussion, so the headache, at least a mild one, will likely stick around for another day or so.Thesore throat is likely from inhaling fumes in the chemicals at the warehouse and smoke from the fire.Webelieve it was some type of chemical cleaning agent like acetone or a toluene solvent.Bothof which can cause irritation to eyes, throat, and nasal passages.We’vegot you on a saline drip to help flush the toxins from your body in case you ingested anything.Youmay also experience some nausea both from the concussion as well as inhaling the chemicals.Thesmall lacerations around your wrists should heal in a few days, though, with no scarring.Allthings considered, you are very lucky.”

I hadn’t realizedIwas in such rough shape.Iguess the adrenaline from exiting the warehouse and the events afterward kept me from focusing on my own injuries

“When canIgo home?”

“I’d like to keep you overnight to monitor you,” he responded, butIdidn’t want to stay.

“Can someone else do that for me at home?I’drather not stay.”

“Do you live with someone?” the doctor asked, andIlooked over toVinceand pointed to him.

“She’ll need to be checked on through the night to make sure she is breathing normally,” the doctor explained. “I’vegot everything in her discharge paperwork, but bring her back immediately if there is vomiting or extreme dizziness.”

Vince didn’t say anything back to the doctor but just nodded.Somethingwas off with him, butIcouldn’t pinpoint what it was.Thedoctor left with the comment that my nurse would be in with my discharge paperwork soon, and thenIwas free to leave.

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