Page 78 of Ace
Keller wanted to scream. Instead he growled,‘I’ll kill him!He’s not worth saving. Did he touch you?’
She shook her head again.‘This is not about RJ. You have to trust me.’
Another orderly interrupted with a cheery, “Time to move,” as he began piling the throwaway patient supplies onto the bed.
But Keller wasn’t about to let Savannah go.‘How long have I been out?’
‘The longest two and a half days of my life. Tate Higgins came by earlier. Your boss sent him to help track RJ, but he stopped by to see you first.’Savannah stepped out in the hall, trailing the bed.
‘Tate was here?’Keller couldn’t see her, but for once, his gift kept them securely linked.
Man, he’d been a fool, refusing to explore what that unique mental ability offered. Like telepathic communication. Like camaraderie and finally belonging. Like working with, instead of against, an arrogant, egotistical boss who wasn’t afraid to man the helm of the brilliant Deuces Wild team, even though it most likely meant political suicide for Tucker. Like feeling Savannah’s love when she was out of sight.
That he’d called Tate proved Tucker’s innate ability to lead. Tate Higgins was one hell of a tracker. Yet except for his obvious Marine swagger and his innate ability with animals, Keller didn’t know much else about his fellow agent. Tate wasn’t usually in the DC office. For whatever reason, Tucker kept him embedded inside California’s beleaguered border patrol.
To Keller’s shame, he didn’t know much about Tate because he’d never asked. Not once. All this time, he’d been a stuck-up pain in the ass, keeping himself removed and remote from coworkers and second chances. It was time to man up. Still mainlining those two IVs, he waved Savannah back to his side.‘How’d I get here? I know I’m in intensive care, but where? Which state? Which hospital?’
She gave his free hand a squeeze.‘You’re still in Florida, at Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville. Mr. Chase and an ambulance brought you here the night he found you near a barn south of Fontenette’s stables. We don’t know for sure, but your boss thinks RJ stashed you where Fontenette was already keepingSand Dollar. RJ’s the one behind the avian flu you contracted. He was going to let you bleed out. Then when someone eventually discovered your body, they’d contract the flu and it would spread. Don’t worry, Sand Dollar and the rest of Fontenette’s horses are in FBI custody. They’re safe and under the care of a team of veterinarians. They aren’t sick and Fontenette’s in jail.’
‘And John?’
By then the orderly had wheeled them onto an elevator and pressed the button for the fourth floor. Keller squeezed Savannah’s slender hand, so damned thankful he had this particular woman at his side.I love her,he admitted to himself.But I don’t deserve her. I never will. But I’m still going to spend the rest of my life trying to measure up to whatever she sees in me. I can do that. I will do that.
She stared at the floor indicator over the elevator door, her lower lip quivering. Damn that rat bastard RJ for hurting her.I’ll kill him. I will!
It wasn’t until Keller was settled in a private room and after the orderly left, that Savannah let her guard down. Finally, she settled at his side, her hand in his, and the love shining in her sad, chocolate eyes killing him softly. How had he ever gotten this kind of lucky that she cared enough to stay? He honestly didn’t know.
“Talk to me, baby,” he breathed out loud.
She gulped, then said, “I heard a voice, but it wasn’t RJ. He’s not the warlock.”
“Then who is?”
“I’m not sure. This voice was... peculiar. Not male or female. Just—old.”
Was she holding something back? “Then who?”
“Keller, I don’t know. The only thing I’m certain is I need to go to Sanctuary or this person will kill my animals.”
“Bullshit!” Keller hissed, immediately regretting forceful verbal communication. It hurt! He switched back to telepathy.‘That isn’t going to happen, baby. I can’t let you go alone to Sanctuary.’
A sad smile tugged the corners of her mouth. ‘And how are you going to stop me? I have to go. It’s the only way. Only—”
‘Only what?’She needed to spit it out.
‘RJ always considered himself better than everyone else. He’s one of those people who demeans or minimizes others to make themselves look smarter and better.’
Keller nodded. He knew people like RJ. A certain witch in Turkey Creek sprang to mind.
Savannah paused as if searching for what to say next.‘But he’s smart, not wise. He might think he’s clever, but he isn’t. Not really. Gran Mere told me to watch out for the warlock, but I think she might’ve been wrong. I know who the rose is, but I believe the warlock is really a witch.’
‘What’s the difference?’
‘A warlock is male, a witch, female.’
‘Who’s the rose?’
‘It’s you,’she said with a tender smile.‘I saw you in the bayou that night. You were at home there, weren’t you?’
