After the Storm(55)

            “I should call an ambulance,” Joe said grimly. “Travis is hurt too. Looks like he could have busted some ribs.”

            Donovan shook his head, and Joe looked at him in surprise.

            “No. I can’t do that. I won’t betray their trust.”

            “What the fuck, man? They need medical attention!”

            Donovan stubbornly resisted as he stroked Eve’s cheek, trying to rouse her from unconsciousness. “They have no money, no means to go to a hospital. It was why I was bringing Maren out today to check on Cammie. And they’re scared shitless. I don’t know of who. Yet. But I’ll find out. And when I do, then we can tackle whatever the hell it is that’s had them running for God only knows how long.”

            “So what the hell do we do then?” Joe asked in exasperation.

            “We have an infirmary in the compound. Sam just had X-ray equipment set up for Maren last month. It’s fully stocked and we can call Maren to come over there and check them all out.”

            “And what if they need a CT scan or something more involved?” Joe persisted.

            “Then we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it,” Donovan said calmly. “Now help me get Eve up. We need to not jostle her more than necessary. I don’t have a C collar with me, so we’re going to have to be damn careful in case she has a spinal injury or any internal bleeding.”





CHAPTER 13




EVE swam to consciousness, her mind muddled, her thoughts filled with panic and pain. She felt herself being swept upward, and for a moment she thought she was in the grip of the tornado. Again.

            “No!” she protested, struggling, though she knew it was useless. She had no power against the force of the storm.

            “Shhh, Eve, it’s me, Donovan. You’ll be all right. I’ve got you now.”

            The soothing voice broke through her panic, and calm descended. But then Travis and Cammie came screaming to the surface. Her eyes flew open to see Donovan’s face outlined by the pale light of dawn. There was determination—and worry—etched into his handsome features. How had he gotten here? Where was she?

            “Travis. Cammie,” she choked out. Oh God. Where were they? Had she lost them to the storm?

            Donovan’s grip tightened around her, and she realized he was carrying her. But where?

            “They’re fine, Eve. My brother has them in my truck. We’re going to take you somewhere you can all get the care you need.”

            “No,” she whispered. “Please. We can’t. Let me go. We have to go. Oh God, my suitcase. Where is it?”

            Donovan frowned and stopped walking, still cradling her against his chest. Then with a shake of his head, he resumed again, muttering something underneath his breath she couldn’t decipher.

            She found herself carefully placed in the extra cab of a truck. To her relief, Travis and Cammie were next to her.

            “Lean on me, Evie,” Travis said, worry evident in his voice.

            She sagged gratefully against her brother’s shoulder, and he wrapped his free arm around her. His other was curled securely around Cammie. Eve opened her eyes to see both Travis and Cammie staring anxiously at her.

            “I’m okay,” she said hastily, not wanting to frighten them even more than they already were. “What about you?”

            “Fine,” Travis said quickly.

            “He’s not fine,” Donovan said bluntly.

            Eve swung her gaze over to see Donovan standing in the doorway. She glanced back at Travis, taking in the pallor of his skin.