SEAL's RESOLVE - Rebecca Deel Page 0,13
your ears, Kristi,” Rio said. “Ready, Rafe.”
He blocked everything from his mind except the target vehicle. Rafe aimed and squeezed the trigger.
The center of the kidnapper’s windshield cracked. The driver swerved, but kept coming. Growling, Rafe fired again, this time aiming for the driver. When the bullet hit his target, the kidnapper’s vehicle veered off the road, broke through the railing, and plunged into a ravine. Seconds later, a ball of fire lit the night.
“Nice shot,” Josh said. “Quinn, fall back.”
“What about the other vehicle?” Rafe asked.
“Nate took care of it. We’re clear for now.”
Excellent. Rafe secured the AR-10, pressed the button to raise the window, and crawled over the seat to help Kristi. He frowned when he noticed her fast breathing and beads of sweat on her forehead. “Kristi?”
“I’m okay.”
“Liar,” he murmured and frowned at Rio.
“Back off, frog boy,” the medic said. “I’ll do what I can to alleviate the pain.”
“Cracked ribs?”
“Bruised. Still painful.” He inclined his head to the cold packs Kristi held in her hand. “Reposition those while I grab another one for her ribs.”
Rafe plucked one of the chemically-activated cold packs from her hand and laid it against the back of her head. Kristi held the second cold pack against her jaw while Rio activated a third pack and placed it against her ribs. “Can’t you give her a pain killer?”
“I don’t know what the kidnappers used on her. I don’t want to risk a drug interaction.” He looked at Rafe. “Chill. Another hour, and she’ll be at Memorial Hospital. Kristi’s tough. She can handle this for another hour.”
She was tough, but that didn’t mean he wanted the dressmaker to suffer. Since he couldn’t prevent it, Rafe closed his mouth and seethed in silence.
Once off Hart Mountain, the caravan headed for Interstate 40. Minutes later, they exited onto Highway 18. At that point, Josh took the lead and zoomed past the speed limit. As an officer with the Otter Creek police, Josh would be able to flash his badge if they were pulled over for speeding before they hit the Otter Creek town limits.
At the one-hour mark, Josh drove up to the emergency entrance of Memorial Hospital. “Stay with her while we check the area, Torres.” He and Rio joined the rest of Durango.
Rafe scanned the area as well. While he trusted Durango, he trusted his own judgment more. Although he hadn’t seen a tail, Kristi wasn’t secure. She had a GPS tracker embedded under her skin. Anyone with the right information could track her to their current location.
Within two minutes, Josh was back. “We’re clear. Need help?”
Rafe shook his head. He climbed out, then lifted Kristi into his arms.
“I can walk,” she protested.
“You pushed yourself as far as you need to for tonight.” He winked at her. “Besides, carrying you makes me look good in front of the nurses.”
She smiled. “From the looks you’re receiving from the women in the waiting room and behind the desk, your plan is working.”
When one of the nurses pointed him to an exam room, Rafe carried her inside, anxious to have her out of sight of others. He set Kristi on the exam table. Within two minutes, someone knocked on the door.
Rafe stepped in front of Kristi, his hand on his weapon.
Rio peered into the room. “Dr. Anderson is here.”
Relaxing, Rafe motioned for Rio to send him in. He turned to Kristi. “He’s the best doctor in town. All the ladies, from babies to gray-haired grannies, love Doc Anderson.”
The doctor walked into the exam room, his eyes twinkling. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Torres. Glad you’re not in need of my services this time. Who’s your friend?”
“This is Kristi Stewart. Fortress rescued her from kidnappers who used a stun gun on Kristi and drugged her.”
Anderson sobered. “I see. Let me take a look at you, my dear. Mr. Torres, please wait outside.”
He frowned. “She’s still in danger, Doc.” Although the town’s favorite doctor was old enough to be Kristi’s grandfather, she would feel vulnerable with any unknown male. He didn’t want to leave her if she was uncomfortable.
The doctor raised an eyebrow. “I assumed you would stand watch. Grace St. Claire will be joining us in a moment.”
Immediately feeling better about leaving Kristi, he laid his hand on her shoulder. “I’ll be right outside the door. If you need me, call out. I’ll hear you.”
The door to the exam room opened again, and Grace walked inside. Her face brightened. “Rafe, it’s good to see you again. How are