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“Where’s Audra?” Sharlee asked.
Ryker watched as several scanned the surroundings for any sign of the woman responsible for Oakley’s suffering.
“Dammit! She must have escaped during the chaos,” Ryker muttered, frustration bubbling beneath his exhaustion as he cradled Oakley close.
“Oh, she did. I saw her booking it out a far door we didn’t see before, but we were all occupied, so she got away.” Callie grimaced. Garrett grinned, holding up a backpack. “Yeah, well, I got this. She was trying to get out with it, but I grabbed it when I had to decide on her or the gun in my side. I decided to address the gun because Callie gets irritated if I track things onto her floor. I’m sure blood would be a big no-no. Anyway, I didn’t let go of the pack, and she left without it. It should be interesting to see what she had inside.”
As the rest of the team gathered around them, they could hear footsteps and voices approaching. They had to move quickly.
“Everyone, you need to get out of there now,” Sharlee ordered.
“She’s not wrong, guys. People are beginning to move a little. I’ve scanned the area for escape routes. Head for the far corner of the lot. That’s your best shot.”
They moved as a unit, Mark taking point while Carter and Levi covered their rear. The rest flanked Ryker and Oakley, who he kept close, supporting her weakened body with his strength. Another brawny operative came up on the other side of Oakley and supported her, making travel across the lot much quicker. The danger was far from over, and they all knew the consequences of being caught would be dire.
The team escorted Oakley out as the police secured the area, knowing that this was only the beginning of a larger battle against Audra and her twisted beliefs. They had got just a few followers, but they were on the right trail. They had plenty of background work, and now the police were under no illusions that not only was Ryker not the perpetrator of some horrendous crime, but Jac and his crew had done what they were known to do. Get in, get it done, and get out.
“I’ll be checking on Dr. Addison in the hospital later,” said the person in charge.
Ryker nodded as he climbed into the back of the ambulance. He was never so glad that Sharlee and Kaden were as good as they were, and Monroe knew his stuff on the strategic planning. Without that support, this would have gone FUBAR, and there wouldn’t have been much they could have done. Jac and his guys were more than good, but when the number of people tripled after the diversion, they knew there was another place practically next door, housing so many more fanatics.
Oakley clung to Ryker’s strong frame, her body trembling and her heart pounding. The dimly lit hideout seemed to close in on her as they made their way out, the cold concrete floor sending shivers up her spine. She could still hear the echoes of Audra’s deranged rantings in her head, but the warmth of Ryker’s arms around her was a beacon of safety in the chaos.
“Are you hurt?” Ryker asked Oakley softly, his voice laced with concern. He searched her face for any signs of injury, knowing that she had been through hell and back at the hands of Audra’s fanatical followers.
“Nothing serious,” Oakley replied, her voice barely audible. “But my mind feels... scattered.” Her thoughts were intangible, slipping through her fingers like sand. But as long as Ryker was there, she knew she’d be okay.
“Let’s get you checked out by the medics,” Sharlee suggested, noticing the cuts and bruises on Oakley’s wrists from the restraints. The team had sustained their own injuries during the rescue–Mark had a gash on his arm, while Callie sported a black eye that Garrett was spitting mad about–but their priority was ensuring Oakley’s wellbeing.
“Hush Garrett. I’m telling you that while he got in that sucker punch, Ivy would have been impressed with my roundhouse kick.”
Garrett leaned down and kissed her soundly. “I’m impressed too, baby.”
“Audra’s followers truly believe that medication is causing more harm than good,” Jac mused, shaking his head in disbelief. “How can they be so blind to the benefits of proper treatment?”
“Desperation can make people cling to dangerous ideas,” Oakley murmured, her eyes distant. “I just hope we can show them there’s another way, a better way.”
“Oakley’s right,” Ryker agreed. “But we need to be prepared for the potential dangers of this anti-medication movement. We’ve seen firsthand what they’re capable of.”
“Ryker, promise me one thing,” Oakley said, her voice quivering with emotion as she met his gaze. “Promise me you won’t let Audra destroy everything we’ve built together. I’m going to have some hard days ahead. Please be patient with me as I work through them.”
“Sweetling, there isn’t anything that I wouldn’t do for you and nothing that can stop me from loving you,” Ryker vowed, his blue eyes filled with love. “Nothing and no one will come between us.”
She gave him a smile. “I’m depending on that.”
As Oakley sat in the back of the ambulance, wrapped in a shock blanket as a paramedic cleaned and bandaged the abrasions on her wrists, the surrounding noise faded into the background. Though the wounds were superficial, a bone-deep ache remained, a reminder of her captivity. She had worked with enough trauma victims, and she had enough training to know this was going to take a while to get over. How long, she hadn’t a clue.
Ryker sat beside her, his fingers entwined with hers. His presence was a balm, easing her frayed nerves. It hadn’t been easy to convince the first EMT to allow him to sit back there, but when the driver saw who it was, he told his partner that whatever Dr. Addison needed, she got. She had helped him through a bad time in his life. He would be forever grateful. Oakley smiled absently at the gentleman, but at that moment, she couldn’t recall him.
“I’m sorry. I don’t remember your name or our sessions. It would appear I’ve had my brains scrambled, but when I do remember you, know I’ll be thankful for your kindness.”
“You helped me when I didn’t think I could be helped. In a small way, I’m paying it forward. Now let’s get you some help. Yeah? And Doc? No thanks necessary.”
With Ryker near, the panic that threatened to overtake her receded, held at bay by the solid warmth of his body and the steadfast devotion in his eyes.
“How are you feeling?” Ryker asked softly. His thumb traced circles over her knuckles, grounding her in the moment.
“Better now that you’re here.” Oakley leaned into him, comforted by his familiar scent. “I don’t know what I would have done if...” She inhaled a stuttered breath.
