Hearts on Fire 7: Claiming Catalina(23)

More shots rang out, just missing her, and she tried not to scream and hoped he was just taking potshots and couldn’t see her, but she heard his boots crushing the branches on the ground. She looked over her shoulder as she continued to run and her chest slammed into a tree, scraping her breasts and her arm. She gasped and fell to her knees, then hurried to get up.

“Oh God, please. Please, someone help me.”

Another shot rang out. “I’m getting closer, bitch. You’re gonna die,” he yelled, and she saw a flash of light to the right and then heard the roar of vehicles. Was that a chopper in the distance?

Strong arms grabbed her around her midsection, pulling her toward a thick, hard chest.

She screamed.

“Catalina, it’s me. It’s Cody.”

She hugged him tightly and heard the grunts and the yelling, and then shots fired. She shook as Cody held her tightly. He was dressed in black, a mask hiding half his face, and she felt the utility belt against her hips. His arm and gun pointed toward the darkness.

She was hysterically crying against his shoulder, trying to be quiet, but the adrenaline rush was dissipating and she was going into shock.

“He’s dead. I got him,” she heard Jeremy yell, and then the place illuminated with lights from Jeeps and trucks as well as the helicopter from above. The sound of the rotors had her heart pounding.

“Oh God, baby, you’re okay. My God, are you all right?”

“Shock…shhhhock.” Her voice quivered.

“Fuck, I need help here. She’s going into shock,” Cody yelled.

“Lay her down on this blanket,” Lew said, appearing with other men, who were all dressed in black, holding guns and looking like some special operations unit.

She blinked her eyes opened and closed.

“Pressure to the knife wound,” she said, breathing heavily.

“Knife wound?” Jeremy asked as he knelt down and caressed her cheek.

“She’s cut on the shoulder. It’s deep. I need something to stop the bleeding,” Cody stated.

“Pressure, Cody. Hold it tight. I can take it.” She swallowed hard.

“Get me something to cover her up. She’ll freeze out here, and she’s in shock. We need to keep her warm,” Cody said, and then someone brought over a federal agent jacket they’d taken off to give to her.

“The chopper can land in the clearing and take her to the ER. We need to pick her up,” Lew told Cody and Jeremy.

“All right. Nice and easy. Baby, we have to pick you up,” Cody told her.

“Just do it,” she stated firmly, and Lew chuckled.

Catalina felt her vision begin to blur again. “I’m going to pass out, Cody. Keep the pressure on and keep me warm,” she said, slurring her words.

“Yes, ma’am,” Cody stated, and she closed her eyes as she felt herself being lifted into the helicopter, the sound of the rotors so loud yet relaxing as she focused on the sound.

She could hear the radio echo in the background and then felt the hands holding hers, and she knew Cody and Jeremy were with her. She smelled fire in the distance, smoke in the air, and heard sirens blaring, and then there was silence.



* * * *



Jeremy sat in the chair next to Catalina’s bed in the hospital. She was all bruised up from head to toe from fighting for her life. He almost hadn’t made it to her in time. It had been too close and too upsetting to think about. He thought about the way they got to her and how she’d been running through the woods as Frederick took shots at her. She had a stab wound that required surgery and a lot of stitches, bruising and cuts to her face, her chest, and her feet, and she had gone into shock on the helicopter. It had been so frightening, too frightening to think about what life would be without her.

But things were going to be different now. He’d given his resignation and would hook up with Nate and Lew’s connections for some private contracts and investigative work when he was ready. His only focus was loving Catalina, taking care of her as she healed and enjoying their lives together in Treasure Town.

He glanced at Cody, who leaned back in the chair and just stared at her.

“When is she going to wake up and stay awake for a while? I miss her voice,” he said, and Jeremy nodded.

“I do, too, but the doctors said it could take some time for her body to heal after all the trauma. She’s bruised up everywhere.”

The door to the room opened, and Cooper and Don appeared, carrying coffee and some snacks.

“How is she?” Cooper asked as he handed out the coffee cups.

“She hasn’t awoken again since this morning,” Jeremy said and then took a sip of the coffee, feeling the need for some caffeine to keep him awake. They’d spent the last several days here and taken turns showering at a friend’s house who lived near the hospital. As soon as she was well enough, the doctors said they could transfer to Treasure Town and the Fairway General Hospital there. They were about an hour from there.

Jeremy heard her moan, and he quickly stood up and went closer to the bed. The others joined him, and Cooper caressed her cheek.

“Hey, sleepy head. We’ve been waiting to see those baby blues.”

She blinked her eyes open, looked at them, and smiled softly, then cringed. Cooper caressed her chin.

“Easy, baby. Lots of bruises, remember?”

They talked to her and told her how much they missed her voice as she managed to focus more than the last time she’d awoken, and then wanted to sit up. Jeremy raised the bed slowly. She crinkled her nose and then used her good arm to cover her belly. The other arm and shoulder were in a sling and all bandaged up.

“Ah, someone is awake. How are you feeling, Catalina?” the doctor asked as he walked into the room, along with a nurse.

“Nauseous,” she whispered and swallowed hard.

“That’s probably from the pain medication and not eating regular food.”

“Well, can we stop the pain meds? I want to wake up and get better.”

“Honey, you were stabbed, and you’re bruised all over the place,” Jeremy told her. She glanced at him.

“I’m not sleeping my life away. I can handle a little pain. I want to be awake…talk to you guys.”

The doctor smiled.

“Let’s lower the dosage. If you can get down some soup or a little food, then we’ll see.”

She nodded. “Thank you,” she whispered and closed her eyes.

“Here, suck on a little bit of ice while Don gets you food,” Cooper told her, and Jeremy watched as they all took care of their woman, who seemed to finally be getting better. He couldn’t want to get her home where they could hold her in their arms and love her forever.





Chapter 6




Catalina sat on the stool at the Station talking to Michaela, Serefina, Sophia, Shayla, and Destiny while MaryAnn spoke to some guys who were friends of Jeremy’s from the agency.

She was so happy that she’d survived the ordeal and that Jeremy and her men were safe, too. They’d all told her about the strategic operations between numerous government agencies to find her and plan the rescue. She’d had to get debriefed by some federal agents and other people to document the events. That was all behind her now, and her shoulder was feeling a lot better every day, especially with Cody and Jeremy showing her exercises to do and ways to work out the aches. She especially liked when those sessions turned into making love on the living room rug.

“Hey, Catalina, do you need another drink?” C.C. asked her, and she smiled.

“I’m good for now. Thank you.” Catalina wondered about the young woman who worked at the Station and what her story was. She seemed so sad, and Catalina would catch her watching them and smiling as if she was envious. So she made an effort to talk to her a little, and each time, C.C. seemed to be letting her guard down and smiling more.

“So, you’ve got yourself four very amazing men, but have they decided on the house they want to buy or what?” Serefina asked, and Michela and Shayla chuckled.

“I don’t know why they’re being so particular. Everything you’ve shown us has been great, and the first house and the third house were gorgeous,” she replied.

“There’s a lot to be said for a beach house right on the water with your own private stretch of beach,” Sophia added, then took a sip from her wine glass.

“It’s completely up to them,” Catalina said and then covered her mouth as she yawned.

“Are we boring you?” Serefina teased.

“Not at all. I think I’m finally starting to relax a little. You know, feeling comfortable and safe again.”

“I’m sure that has a lot to do with your men. Who are on the way over right now,” Shayla said as she slid off the bar stool, waved, and then headed toward their other friends.

Jeremy pulled her into a hug and kissed her neck, but looked at Serefina. “Ladies, if you don’t mind, we’re going to call it a night. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

“Really? What’s going on?” Catalina asked.

He pulled back, and Cody, Cooper and Don joined them

“We’re going to be meeting with Sophia at the real estate office to sign contracts on our house,” Jeremy said.

“Really?” both Catalina and Sophia asked and then chuckled.

“Which one?” Catalina asked.