“Ian, this will break her. We will sign the release,” Rachel cried.
Ian ran a hand through his hair and looked at Hunter for advice. “I don’t think it will help her if we keep this a secret. Plus, the police will want it too. They are, for certain, going to ask her,” Hunter said.
Ian texted Tony Olivetti, head of the San Diego office:Need immediate protection detail. Mount Hope Cemetery. Infant grave of William Thomas Ensworth. Will explain at 0900 EST.
The response came quickly:Roger.
Hunter pulled out his phone. “I need her therapist’s information. One more thing, was that gibberish or Russian she spoke earlier?”
Ian looked like he’d rather stick pins in his eyes than repeat the words. “Nastoyashchiy muzhchina vnutri tebya, moya simpatichnaya malen’kaya shlyukha.”
Noah closed his eyes and whispered, “A real man is inside you, my pretty little whore.Is that her mind, or did her attacker speak to her in Russian?”
* * *
Ian grabbed a cup of coffee and settled into the recliner beside Cassie as Pete hung the first unit of blood. “Ian, I need to check her vitals every fifteen minutes. Hunt wants her out for the ride and tests. I’ll be back at two with more medication.” He threw a blanket across Ian.
“Thanks, Pete.” Ian watched Cassie. "No one, including yourself, is going to hurt you again, sweetheart." Exhausted, even with the blast of caffeine, sleep pulled him under. An hour later, he was jolted awake by a shaky, cold hand.
Cassie’s jungle green eyes pierced the darkness like a leopard in the moonlight. “Ian?”
He sat up. “I’m here, Cassie.” When he moved closer, she grimaced. “Are you in pain?”
She nodded. “I had such a bad dream. I stabbed Eric. I tried to run away but ripped everything out.”
Ian rang the call bell and moved beside her. “Sweetheart.” Pete, Jamie, and Eric answered his call on the run.
When Cassie saw Eric's arm, her left hand flew to her mouth. “Oh my god. It wasn’t a dream. I am a murderer.”
Ian held her hand. “Sweetheart, you aren’t a murderer.”
Eric moved to her other side. “I’m fine, Cassie, and not mad at you. Angel, I know you didn’t mean to do it.”
Jamie smiled. “Luv, we will discuss all of this in the morning. Right now, we’re going to take you for an MRI of your chest and your shoulder. We’re going to give you some medicine to make you more comfortable. In your bit of feistiness, you broke three of your lovely ribs again.”
“Nice and easy, honey.” Pete injected the Versed into her IV.
“Ian?”
“Yes, sweetheart.”
“I’m glad you’re here.” Her voice was dreamy.
“Me too, Cassie. Me too.” Ian watched her eyes drift closed, then his phone vibrated, and he headed downstairs.
“Boss, Javier Ruiz just left. The Paulsen house was broken into. This was a methodical search, and whoever it was drugged our operators. They’re on the way to the hospital. They even drugged the dog. This wasn't random; they were looking for anything pointing to Cassie’s location. Luke said they got his personal phone book and also got into his safe. An Eagle’s Talon’s business card was inside.”
Ian cursed under his breath. “Linc, call in our forensics team. Look for that shoe print. I’ll touch base with Blake in the morning. Have everyone pack bags and move them here. Bring the dog too. And check for bugs. If you find them, leave them. Tate just got here. I’ll have him send someone to the hospital. I want to know when they wake up.” Ending the call, Ian said, “The Paulsen house was broken into. Our guys were drugged.”
“Are they okay?” Tate asked.
“Get someone to the hospital. Find out what you can,” Ian said. Tate reached for his phone.
“Saddle up,” Martin addressed the team waiting to transport Cassie.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Martin, in the lead vehicle, saw the headlights headed right for the convoy. “Abort! Abort!” Rather than evade the crash, he turned his Navigator to cut off the Hummer barreling at them. He tried to relax his body as glass and metal imploded around him. The airbags exploded, blasting pain across his head. Both his legs burned as the dashboard came down on them.
