Elle looked over at Jenna.
“Sorry, but I agree with Gabe on this one. You should get as far away from here as you can. The other doctors can divvy up your patients while you’re gone, same as they do when staff takes vacations.”
“Some vacation,” Elle mumbled low.
“It’s only temporary, Elle.” Gabe reminded her. “I’ll bring you back as soon as I know you’re safe. Promise.”
Unless I can convince her to stay with me.
Gabe schooled his expression, silently cursing his overeager subconscious.
“Listen to him, honey,” Jenna pleaded. “Please.”
Elle stared up at him, fear and confliction dimming the light in her beautiful eyes. “What’s to keep them from following me to Texas?”
“Nothing,” Gabe answered honestly. “But at least then we’ll be on my turf.”
“Listen to him, sweetie.” Jenna squeezed one of Elle’s hands. “Homefield advantage is always a good thing. And since he’s the one who’ll be doing the fighting...”
Unshed tears filled Elle’s gaze, but she blinked them away. “I-I’ll need to pack. Make arrangements for the patients I have scheduled. How far out should I go?”
Forever.“A couple of weeks, to start.”
Her shoulders fell, but she didn’t argue. “I’ll call the head of our technology department and have them get me another computer.”
“You can’t use the one you have at home?”
“The program we use for scheduling and electronic patient files is encrypted for confidentiality purposes. We’re not allowed to have it installed on our personal devices.”
“I can probably help with that.”
All three swung their heads toward the doorway.
“Who are you?” Jenna shifted her body to block Elle from the man who’d just entered the small room.
“Stand down, Jen.” Gabe put a hand to her shoulder. “He’s with me.”
“Hi, Nate.” Elle peeked her head around Jenna.
A corner of Nate’s mouth lifted in a half-smile. “Hey, Elle. Glad you’re okay.” To Gabe he said, “The others are waiting outside.”
Gabe looked down at Jenna. “I need to talk to my team.”
“Go.” The redhead lifted her chin toward the door.
“You’ll stay with her until I get back?”
“Don’t worry.” She grabbed Elle’s hand. “Wild horses couldn’t drag me away.”
Moving around Jenna, Gabe went to Elle. He leaned down, pressed his lips to her forehead. “I’ll be right outside.” He pulled back, his eyes staying with hers a second longer before he grabbed the plastic bag holding her belongings.
The questions started the second the door shut behind him.
“What the hell happened?” Matt asked, sounding almost as pissed as Gabe felt.
Gabe ran a hand over his face and swallowed back his emotions. “Single shot to the chest. Shooter drove a dark two-door with tinted windows. Didn’t get a look at the plates.”
Kole frowned. “Nate said something about her computer saving her life?”
