“Brown,” Elizabeth called weakly. “They werebrown.”
“Well, that’s something.” The officer turned away and pulled her radio from her hip. As she reported in, Terrance moved away from Elizabeth, letting the EMTs load her onto a thingurney.
“She’s in shock and she’s got a mild concussion,” the doctor said as he rested his hand on Alexander’s shoulder. “I want to run a CT scan to rule out anything moreserious.”
More serious. Fuckme.
Alexander wasn’t sure he could speak until Elizabeth whimpered in pain. Then he shot his friend a panicked look. “She’ll be allright?”
“Alex.” Terrance’s patient tone grated, as did the sight of the plastic stabilization collar around Elizabeth’s neck and the various shades of blue and purple swelling on her face and shoulder. “Look atme.”
The doctor’s sharp, commanding tone snapped Alexander out of hisfog.
“If you want to accompany her to the hospital, you’re going to need to come now.” Terrance halted the EMTs and rested a hand on Elizabeth’s arm. “Doing okay,Elizabeth?”
“Uh-huh. I just want tosleep.”
“I know, dear. Not yet, though. A few tests first, then I’ll let Alex take youhome.”
Elizabeth sought Alexander’s gaze. “He’s not Alex. He’sAlexander. Alex is a computer geek. Not a sexy Britishbillionaire.”
Alexander’s heart skipped a beat as her personality shone through her pain and injuries. He’d take care of her—take care ofeverything.
River meowed loudly, and Alexander glanced towards the couch. The tabby peered up at him, and a sense of calm determination settled over him. “Where’s your cat carrier,Elizabeth?”
“Closet,” she said as she tried to reach for his hand. But the EMTs had strapped her down, and she could only move her fingers. “You’ll getRiver?”
With a quick glance at Terrance to confirm the ambulance would wait, he nodded, then headed for Elizabeth’s bedroom. Officer Taylor tried to stop him but relented quickly when she saw the look in his eyes. Once Alexander had River stowed safely in the carrier, he passed the cat off to Nicholas. “I’ll call Samuel and send him and Thomas for my car and the cat. Keep meupdated.”
