Page 142 of The Bodyguard

Angela held out a foot. “Do you think I’ll get my missing shoe back?”

“No.”

“Ugh, that’s a tragedy.”

The tech rolled Angela toward the door. “We’ll be back in about twenty, thirty minutes or so.”

“If you don’t mind,” he said in a way that brooked no discussion, “I’ll tag along.”

The ensuing trip to the radiology lab was quick. Waiting for the results was not.

Angela had the benefit of painkillers. Sawyer sat beside her, vigilant and growing slightly bored. That was preferable to the panicky feeling hospitals usually gave him.

Finally, a doctor walked in, brisk and hurried. He logged into the computer attached to the wall as he introduced himself. After a few keystrokes, the X-rays appeared on the screen for Sawyer and Angela to see. “Great news. A simple dislocation.”

Her arm and shoulder had been immobilized pending the X-ray, but now the doctor moved to the bed and started to unfasten the bandages and harness that the paramedic had tied her into.

Sawyer knew this process would hurt like hell. If Angela did, she was too medicated to worry.

“This part won’t be fun,” the doctor warned him. “But then it’s done.” He ran his fingers up her shoulder blade and down her collarbone until he gripped the joint. “Take a deep breath.” She did, and he popped the bone back into place.

Angela screamed.

“All done,” the doctor said.

Sawyer retook his spot by Angela’s side. Her eyes were wide, and though she looked like she might kick the doctor in the groin, she also seemed to notice relief in her shoulder.

The doctor warned about arm weakness, directed them to see a physical therapist, and promised that a nurse would followup shortly with their release paperwork. Sawyer settled back into Angela’s bed, certain that wouldn’t be happening soon.

To his surprise, the door swung open. Jared Westin, not the nurse, strode inside.

“Boss Man,” Angela said with a slight slur. “What are you doing here?”

Jared shook his head. “Looks like I have another couple on my hands.”

Her goofy smile brightened. “We’re going to get married.”

Jared stepped back as though Angela had swung a bazooka his way. “What?”

Sawyer laughed but didn’t dispute what Angela said.

Jared pinched the bridge of his nose. “Jesus fuckin’ Christ, I can give one hell of a pep talk.” After a long moment, with deep lines creasing his brow, he added, “Congratulations.”

“Where’s Pham?” Angela asked.

“Sitting in a prison medical unit. They needed to check him out before transporting him back to whatever hole they’ve been keeping him in.”

Sawyer raised his eyebrows. “What do we know?”

“Other than Angela wrenching her shoulder while trying to escape a federal agent?” Jared shrugged. “Best guess is they’ve given up trying to eliminate testimony and are simply trying to break him out of custody.”

“From a federal courthouse?”

“He wasn’t behind bars. They knew where he was, and there were a shit ton of civilians for officers to protect once shit went down. I can see the tactical advantages—and the desperation.”

“Yeah,” Sawyer said. “But she’s testified. She’s done.”

“I’m done,” Angela repeated.

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