"What about the toolbox?"
"Same." I look at her curiously.
"I'll tell you later," she murmurs.
The paramedic walks over with two more. They ask me to move again. This time I comply because I know what's going to happen now. They proceed to put Maya on the backboard and then lift her onto a gurney. She groans when they lift her. I really hope it's only bruised ribs, but I think they're broken or cracked. She's loaded into the ambulance. While they're assessing her again, I walk to my rental and get out my go bag and pack. I then walk back to check the progress; they decide she needs to be seen in the ER as her breath sounds aren'twhere they should be. They believe she has a broken rib too. Plus, they need to remove the projectiles from her chest.
Ana and I walk to the truck and proceed to follow them to the nearest hospital. I look back at the bodies and carnage we left. I feel like there will be more of this before this ends. I'll protect her with my own life. She wants to be with me now and I'll keep her there. I know that this was what Christopher meant when he said it's worth it. I also know I won’t live in fear of the life she's chosen, it's what we both want and need.
I send a quick text to Joshua, knowing he's in the air and on his way here. I explain the attack and us being on our way to the hospital. I need her in my arms again. I need to know she's okay.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
MAYA
I've just been discharged from the hospital. Two fractured ribs, several small shallow punctures from the fragments, and more bruises, including my shoulder. Philly PD wants us to stay, but I use my last favor with the Secret Service and my new Securities International partnership to go home. Greg helped pull strings to get me home too. He's worried and upset, he knows I put myself in danger.
Ana and Duncan have stayed by my side. I refused pain meds for now so I can drive and help Duncan protect Ana. What's Jonathon involved in? My stalker and Jonathon have got to be connected because they were after Ana, but what they said still haunts me. They called me girly just like the last two attacks. My mind is spinning with scenarios.
My captain has suspended me, pending an investigation. Guess I'll be getting up early to meet with him. The best part issecurity footage shows me identifying myself as police and Secret Service. I notified every guard we passed of my position and showed them my badge.
The problem is my captain knows me and I walked into a situation I thought could go sideways with no backup and without notifying local PD. Good thing they never searched my truck, they don't know how bad it could have gotten. They made me strip down because of the goon's blood all over me. That's when they found the knife in my bra.
The X-ray tech had me confirm I was completely unarmed before they took the X-rays. I laugh to think about it. Duncan didn't find it amusing; however, he knows me well enough to know I'm going to thoroughly arm myself if I can.
First time being shot sucks. Because the guy was carrying a .45 revolver is why I got hurt so bad. The lighter vest and the two shots also contributed to my injuries. I wouldn’t change anything, I love Duncan, and I can't lose him. I feel calm with that thought.
"Come on, baby, just let me help you into the scrubs so we can get you home. Why won't you take the pain meds? I can drive."
"Big Guy, I love you, but not enough to trust your English driving with my truck." They let me keep my sports bra and thong, they didn't have any blood on them.
"Ha, thanks, baby. Love you too and I'll remember this when we get to London. I seem to remember someone liking my DBS."
"Oh, low blow, babe. I won't be able to go to London for a while. I have to meet with my captain and the ERT division chief. Then I'll have to meet with my superiors at the SecretService. I think if Greg could ground me right now, he would. I'm going to lose part of my ass, hope you won't miss it."
"It will be alright. Joshua is flying in tonight to help you and he hired you an attorney."
"Really? That's very nice of him, but I'll have a union rep there too." I haven't told Duncan the extent of my involvement with Securities International. I'm waiting until I can sit him down to tell him I'll be his boss now.
"Baby, we got your back. Where's your sidearm hidden? That was crazy going in with only knives."
"I didn't want to keep flashing my badge or go through the extra security procedures to carry it through the airport. I hoped that they'd try something at the terminal. Plus, I didn't expect Goon Three to get off the plane with Ana. Besides, I did pretty damn good myself. I did hit two with my knives."
"Where's it at? I found two in your truck on the way here, but I know enough about you to know they're not your actual sidearm."
"Well, to be honest, I have two sidearms, one issued by MPD and the other from Secret Service. However, you’re right, the two in my truck are both my backups. My actual sidearms are in the safe in my truck. My rifle is also in it, in another safe."
"Okay, baby, let's get you ready to get out of here." He grabs the scrubs the nurse left me and helps me get dressed.
"Duncan, get out of here. I'll help her dress," Ana says.
"Sis, I've seen enough, I can help her."
"Both of you can help if you're going to fight about it." I laugh, and groan from the pain of laughing.
After finally getting dressed, I assure the Philly detectives we won’t leave the country. We head out to the parking lot. As Icome to my truck, I do a full walk around and check everything. My proximity alarm never went off, so I know that no one has put a tracker on my truck. I disengage the alarm and check my exterior boxes.
"Baby, you're making me think you don't trust my driving."
