Asshole.
Eric grinned. “Come on.” He readjusted the blanket around Riley’s shoulders and guided her out of the room.
Pale and swaying on her feet, she surprised them all by accepting the medics’ offer to use the gurney they’d brought with them, rather than walking on her own two feet.
Inside the ambulance, sitting on the tiny as fuck seat beside her, Eric took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. “I love you.”
God, he loved hersomuch.
She gave his hand a weak squeeze and rasped, “I love you, too.”
Hours later, after the staff at Homeland’s private hospital had cleaned and dressed the wound on Riley’s shoulder—as well as the cuts on her wrists and ankles—her doctor insisted Riley stay overnight for observation.
Something about residual swelling that can sometimes happen after being severely strangled. Surprisingly, Riley hadn’t even put up a fight.
Thanks to some good drugs he’d convinced her to let them administer, she was finally resting comfortably while he kept a watchful eye from the chair next to her bed.
Derek and the others had all been in to see her. They’d gone on and on about how brave and tough she was. How, because she held on as long as she did, countless lives would now be saved.
Eric agreed with all those things and more, but for him the only celebration he needed was right here. Knowing she was going to be okay.
“How is she?” Maggie tore him away from his thoughts as she entered the room. Noah Killion was a half a step behind her.
“She’s okay.” Eric stood and gave Maggie a hug. He still couldn’t believe they’d gotten to her in time.
“Thanks to you.” Maggie smiled as she pulled away. “Does she remember everything, or...”
“She can’t remember anything from the time she was drugged until she came to in my apartment, but everything after that...yeah.” Eric looked back at her sleeping form. “She remembers it all.”
“Guess in a way, I was lucky.”
Eric noticed the way Noah’s jaw twitched at her words. He’d seen that look before. Hell, he’d worn the same one himself.
It was the look a man got at the thought of someone hurting the woman he cared about.
“Dr. Ruiz explained that the drug you were both given can have different side effects on different people,” Eric explained. “For some, like you, it causes amnesia. For others, it doesn’t.”
Maggie nodded. “Either way, I’m just glad you got to her in time.”
“I had help.” Eric smiled.
“Speaking of help,” Noah finally spoke up. “My boss at the Bureau wanted me to extend his gratitude to you and your team. We’ll all rest a little easier tonight, knowing that son of a bitch is off the streets for good.”
“Yes.” Eric nodded. “We sure as hell will.”
“Well, I have a plane to catch.” Noah shook Eric’s hand. “You ever get to Colorado, look me up.” The FBI Agent turned to Maggie and said, “Walk me out?”
“Sure.” The woman’s cheeks became flushed. To Eric, she said, “Call me if there’s any change. Otherwise, I’ll come back by in the morning.”
“I will. Thanks, Mags.”
The two shared another hug.
“Try to get some rest.” She patted his arm. “You won’t do her or you any good if you make yourself sick with exhaustion.”
“Yes, Doctor,” Eric teased.
Maggie smiled. “What can I say? It’s kind of nice working with the living once in a while.”
