Page 143 of Mad Love

“Too much weight,” Bishop barked from the front, spinning around and looking at Brennan. “Get the fuck out.”

Brennan looked ready to argue when the tell-tale click of a gun being cocked made him freeze.

Court didn’t blink as he aimed the gun at Brennan. “Get out on your own, or we’ll roll your body out.”

“Court!” Bex stared at him with huge eyes.

With a snarl, Brennan backed out of the cabin.

Royal leaned around the frame, Linc at his side. “We’ll meet you at the hospital.” He thumped the side of the helicopter and jogged backwards as the blades started spinning.

The noise made the thumping in my head even louder, and I burrowed against Ryan and tried to block out everything else as we lifted into the night.

* * *

It wasn’t a surprise that the hospital was full of people.

What was surprising was how quickly we were all seen. The doctors rushed Chase into surgery while Bex and I were taken back and seen almost instantly, despite the crush of people waiting.

The earthquake had hit Los Angeles hard, and a lot of people were hurt.

Court followed Bex and an orderly to radiology to check out her leg while I was taken up a few floors.

Without an available gurney. Ryan carried me, following on the heels of a nurse I’d watched him slip a handful of bills.

Even in a catastrophe, money was still king.

“There are people who need a doctor more than we do,” I whispered as Ryan stepped into a room.

He looked down at me, completely unapologetic. “I don’t give a fuck about other people. You matter the most to me.”

“That isn’t fair,” I protested, even as he set me on the bed.

He leaned down, looking in my eyes. “I don’t care, Madison.” His large hands framed my face. “Let me take care of you, okay?”

I nodded and leaned back as the nurse stepped around the other side of the bed. “Do you know your name, honey?”

I started to nod again, but realized I needed to give verbal answers. “Yes.”

“What is it?”

I met Ryan’s eyes and sighed a little. “Madelaine Cabot.” The name tasted bitter on my tongue.

“Do you know what day it is?” A tiny furrow appeared in her brow as she watched me.

“December fifteenth,” I replied, then frowned. “Or sixteenth. What time is it?”

She smiled a bit. “Three in the morning.” She winked. “Honestly, I’m not sure I’d have gotten that right either.”

I breathed a tiny laugh, my gaze flashing to Ryan. Arms folded over his chest and feet braced apart, he was dressed in all black tactical clothes that clung to his muscular frame like a second skin I really wanted to peel off with my teeth. As if sensing the direction of my thoughts, he arched a brow before rolling his eyes.

Glancing away, I smirked inwardly and finished answering the barrage of questions from the nurse until she was satisfied.

“Dr. Rice will be here to check you out in a few minutes, but I don’t think you have a concussion. We’ll get you stitched up and maybe keep you overnight for observation—”

“Do I have to stay?” I interrupted, anxiety welling in me again. “I really just want to go home, and I’m sure there’re other people who can use this room.”

Ryan’s eyes narrowed, as if he was ready to argue.

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