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He ran his hands over her head There was a lu above her temple He assumed that was the reason she was still out cold, but he didn’t know for sure It could have been that her system just shut down under the assault Who knehat the che to her? He wished like hell that Doc ith hie than he had to check her out

“We got anything in the jet’s med kit that ake Friday up? In case we need it” In case she slipped into unconsciousness

“You worried she won’t rouse on her own?”

“Yeah”

“I’ll ask the pilot Make sure he has the kit ready for us e arrive Do we need a medic? I can have someone meet us at the jet”

“Give ht now, I’m most worried about the lump on her head”

He pulled the T-shirt he’d given her over her head There were bruises and red marks dotted over her torso A scrape on her shoulder He ran his fingertips over the abrasion He should have been there He should have prevented this He should have protected her Slowly, hea tense breath when he didn’t find any

Gently, he reiven her There was aher hip, but no broken bones, no cuts No lasting daain She was pale Too pale Her body kept taking hits—the poison, the red mist, this How many more could she suffer until she didn’t bounce back? Didn’t wake up again?

“We don’t need a medic” He climbed in beside his woman and took her into his arms “Not unless she doesn’t wake up But her injuries aren’t life-threatening” They were just wrong Her beautiful skin should never be marred by violence Never

Mace clio We’ll deal with her on board”

“Any sign of trouble at the airfield?”

“No There’s too much security there That’s probably why they hit us en route They took us out in the quietest part of town”

“They shouldn’t have knohere ere to begin with We screwed up” His voice was tight as he looked down at the woman in his arms “Somebody shared information We have a mole Or a traitor” The word left a foul taste in his h already

“Once you guys are in the air, I’ll hunt him down myself”

“And deal with him”