Page 124 of Under His Guard

When they answer, I report our situation as best I can.

“Two injured at the old Pelican Trails shipping warehouse. Car crash victim with a head injury. Unconscious but breathing. Another suffering from multiple lacerations and a head contusion.”

Luke puts a shaky hand on my arm, and I look down at him where he’s lying on the asphalt.

“Don’t forget yourself, doc.”

I shake my head, laughing once at him. “And myself. I’ve got some contusions and lacerations. Not nearly as severe. I’m really fine.”

Setting the phone down now that I know both EMTs and the police are on their way, I leave the line open and go back to taking care of Luke.

The poor excuse for a bandage on his leg is soaked through, so I hurry to the car and check if there’s anything else I can use.

I find a jacket and rush back to Luke, wrapping it around his leg. When I tie it tight, he hisses.

“How’s your head? Blurred vision? Nausea?”

He just smiles up at me. “Um, a bit. A concussion seems likely.”

Shaking my head, I smack him gently on the arm. “I can’t believe you did that.”

He shrugs, but he’s having trouble keeping his eyes open, and that dread starts to kick back in, tightening my chest.

“Hey, stay awake. Talk to me.” I pat him on the chest gently.

Luke shakes his head, trying to clear it. “Sorry, doc, but I’ll be fine. You’re here. And people are coming.”

I put my hands on either side of his face, making him look right at me.

“Don’t you ever do that to me again, Luke Shaw. I’ll never forgive you.”

He smiles, putting a hand on top of mine.

“Never, darlin’. I’m nowhere near done driving you crazy.”

With a laugh, I kiss him lightly. It’s odd, the newness in my chest again. It’s like I’m meeting him all over again—after what just happened.

“Okay, let’s scoot you back toward this wall.”

I help get Luke seated near the wide cement block structure that withstood a car’s impact just fine.

The sound of sirens comes a minute or two later, and I’ve procured another random bit of clothing from the car to stuff under Luke’s knee.

“All right, good. They’ll be here any second. Just stay with me, all right? I can’t have you passing out on me.”

Not liking the combination of head injury and leg bleed he has going on, my chest relaxes a little bit, knowing the EMTs are almost here.

“I’m doin’ my best, darlin’.” Luke smiles weakly. “I…I’m so fucking glad you’re okay. If anything happened to you…”

My eyes start to burn, and I put my forehead to his. “I know. I really just wanted to stay mad at you. But you had to go and be a hero, huh?”

Shaking his head against mine, Luke sighs. “I’m no hero, doc. But I am yours. If you’ll have me.”

Before I can answer, the area is swarmed with medical professionals and authorities combing the expansive lot that makes up the Pelican Trails shipping hub.

“Over here!”

I hear a voice call out behind me, and I look back to see the swarm of people running toward us. Suddenly, Luke is swept up in the commotion of healers doing their jobs, and I’m pulled away to give them space to work.

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