Page 51 of Last Chance Christmas
“No way. You and Officer Thomas need to get checked out at the hospital. I won’t make a bad situation worse.”
This time Anthony shook his head. “I’m goo?—”
“You will both report to the hospital and get a doctor’s all clear before returning to work. Understood? And I’m not beyond calling Chief Barnes, just in case you think of going around me.” His look was one of concern but also unrelenting firmness.
“Yes, sir,” Della said.
Anthony nodded and slumped back on the cot as soon as Chief James walked away.
“Come on, you two. I’ll give you a ride over there.” Penny removed her gloves and pulled out her phone. “I think Andi is working. I’ll see if she can get you in and out quickly.”
“Who’s Andi?” Della whispered over to Anthony.
“Bryce’s little sister. She used to be a paramedic, but now she’s working as a nurse and applying to med school.” He hopped out of the back of the truck and helped her down.
The nausea was almost gone, but the pounding in her head and weakness in her muscles couldn’t be ignored.
Three hours and three ibuprofen later, Della had her medical clearance. Andi walked her down the hall. “I hope next time I see you it will be under better circumstances. Tony said he’s waiting for you in the lobby. Right through those double doors there.” She left her with a friendly wave.
It took more effort than normal to push open the door into the lobby, but at least she was on her own two feet. Two feet that felt clunky, but still, she was upright.
“Doing okay?” Anthony stood up from the blue padded chair in the lobby. His light touch on her arm seared through the fabric of her uniform.
Crazy how a simple touch and empathetic blue eyes could almost turn her into a blubbering mess.
But Vaynes had been close. Too close to taking her out. Della couldn’t shake the chill from the time she’d spent lying on the cold cement floor in the firehouse. Surely that was the only reason Anthony’s touch warmed her, affected her so deeply. She swallowed past the lump in her throat and pasted on an attempt at a smile. “Blood work came back fine. You?”
“Same.” He pushed his hair back. “Bryce brought my vehicle, so I’m at your disposal. What now?”
“The only thing I want is a slice of deep-dish olive and sausage pizza, and bed.” She rubbed her arms, trying to generate some heat.
Maybe she didn’t even need to eat. Not with the huge pit in her midsection growing by the second.
But there was no way she could actually sleep. Not with Vaynes out there.
“The captain assigned another cop to watch over your place tonight, but—” Anthony’s thumbs hooked on his vest, but he didn’t finish. He might’ve been grinding his teeth together the way his jaw flexed.
“What?”
He looked at her, all sense of playfulness gone, his gaze intense. “It’s personal now. I don’t want you out of my sight until Vaynes is back behind bars. And don’t you live with your grandmother?”
“She’s spending the winter with friends in Arizona. I’ll be fine.”
“Maybe it would be better if we both stayed at the firehouse tonight. Night shift will be there, and whichever officer they assign to us can stick around too. I know I’ll sleep better if you’re protected by more than one person.”
She hated how the weaker part of her melted at his words. Someone looking out for her? Someone believing her?
But he was just trying to do his job. She should remember that. He was a better cop than she’d given him credit for. She couldn’t read anything more into it.
“I can sleep at the station. There’s more I can do for the event next week, but you should go home, Anthony. You’re off duty now.”
“I’m not gonna sleep well at my apartment, wondering if you’re safe. You’re stuck with me, Della. At least until we catch this guy.” His handsome smile—and yeah, it was a true Anthony Thomas smolder—only made her feel worse.
She turned away from him and stared at the poster promoting proper handwashing techniques. “Well, maybe you shouldn’t be stuck with me. You don’t deserve to be targeted by a serial killer. You were hurt because you were with me. Go home.”
“Hey.” His voice was gentle. A warm hand cupped her elbow as he moved to face her. “You don’t deserve it either. I know this move. Probably even invented it.”
“What are you talking about?”
