Page 23 of Guarded By the Hellhound
“Are you okay?” His voice is hoarse, making me shake my head and my lip wobbles.
“She needs medical attention, fast,” Eli says, making Raider twist his head around to look at him.
“Eli,” he deadpans.
“Dagran,” Eli deadpans back.
“I go by Raider here,” Raider says.
Eli gives him a nod before he continues in a serious tone. “The story you should tell the cops is that Katherine’s stalker took her from the carnival to here. You don’t know why, but you assumed it was to finally kill her; somehow, he thought of the graveyard as a suitable place. Dag- Raider, you got here in your search for her and found her just in time. You wrestled with him, but he ran away into the woods. You decided to take care of Katherine instead of following him.”
“I heard your cries for help, and that was when I called the cops. This was exactly 4 minutes ago, so I guess they’ll be here right about…. now.”
Sirens echo through the night, and I cling to Raider.
“I was so scared,” I whisper, looking up at him.
He gently palms my bruised face. “You are so brave, so strong. I’ve got you now. You don’t have to be scared anymore.”
I look into his eyes, losing all track of my surroundings, only being brought back to reality when the paramedics come running towards us.
Eli guides them, Raider doing most of the talking as they carefully lift me on the gurney. The same guy I saw at the fire hands me an oxygen mask. Gently placing it around my head.
“I’m glad we found you,” he says with a kind smile. “I knew something was up when you disappeared from yourhouse. Now, let’s get you to the hospital and help you feel better.”
“Raider,” I croak.
“Your boyfriend can come,” he quickly reassures me, and with Raider firmly holding onto my hand, I take a last look at the cemetery where Eli is talking with the police before I lay my head down and finally close my eyes.
KATHERINE
Grogginess clouds my mind when I wake up. Panic immediately floods my system, but then I register Raider’s soft touch. His thumb is caressing the palm of my hand, and when I open my eyes, I see his handsome face.
“You’re awake,” he croaks out. “Thank God you are awake.” His head falls forward, and he kisses my knuckles. When he looks up at me again, tears are forming in his eyes.
“I have never been so scared in all my life; I can’t lose you, Katherine. I…” he pauses for a moment, visibly trying to control himself, before he hoarsely whispers: “I love you.”
I am speechless at the sight of this big, powerful man, looking almost broken. The vulnerability he’s giving me right now. It’s… everything I have ever wanted.
“Raider,” I whisper, stretching out my arms to him, needing to hold him.
He buries his face in my neck, and I pull him as close as he can get. “I love you too… A small part of me died when I thought I lost you in that fire. Don’t ever do that to me again.”
He lets out a dry laugh as he straightens himself, grabbing hold of my hand again. “Wasn’t planning on it.”
I smile at him, feeling content at this moment. The moment is over all too soon because in walks the doctor, who takes a relieved sigh when she looks at me, then calls for interns to perform tests.
Raider does not leave my side during all the prodding and probing, and when the doctor comes back with the results, he listens intently to what she has to say.
I have to admit I am so exhausted I don’t pay a lot of attention, but it appears I don’t have any broken bones, infections, or long-term injuries. Guess I was very lucky, but I do have to stay off my feet for a few days.
When she tells me the police want to talk to me, Raider interferes and tells her I need to rest first. She agrees like a good doctor, and I’m fast asleep before she even leaves the room.
The next time I wake up, I feel a lot clearer. Unfortunately, I’m also in quite a bit of pain.
“Raider,” I call out. “Are you there?”
“Right here, Katherine,” he says before he sits down beside me. “How are you feeling?”
