The muscle contractions inside Kate pulled Jake’s orgasm from him as he spurted an endless spray of thick fluid deep within Kate’s core again and again until he was totally drained.
Feeling Jake’s hot lava spilling into her set off another wave of vibrations through Kate that were so intense she felt every molecule of energy explode into a thousand blinding shards as they both collapsed in a heap in the shallow water of the exquisite beach.
Chapter Eight
Kate’s physical body lay in intensive care after eight grueling hours in surgery. The shattered femur had to be pinned and screwed back together and the bleeding in the abdomen had taken longer to stop than first anticipated. Her heart had to be restarted for the second time that day and it had been pretty hairy for a while. Under normal circumstances surgery might have been delayed but because of so much internal bleeding the risk had been necessary. The next forty-eight hours would be crucial and doctors still weren’t ruling out the fact that she might not make it. Careful monitoring around the clock was needed and there were no visitors allowed until the following day. She’d been placed in an induced coma and was on life-support.
Nurses could fuss and do their thing without being interrupted. There was much to do. Administer medication through an intravenous line, regular blood tests, take blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels, and changing any medication in accordance with test results. Bathing the patient while in a coma would be carried out every other day.
Robert was in for a long, uncomfortable night. Jenny would be at the hospital the next morning, so together they would find the strength to get through the harrowing days to follow.
He tried to get comfortable in the waiting room but even with the padded chairs it was a fruitless attempt. Restlessness had already taken hold and wouldn’t loosen its grip until he could see Kate.
When the surgeon had delivered the news that she’d survived surgery, it had only marginally eased his anxiety. She was far from stable given that her heart had stopped again. Waiting to see her was driving him insane. He just needed to hold her hand and talk to her even though she wouldn’t even know he was in Italy. His baby girl. She was so close and yet he was unable to go to her. It’s not as if his presence would cause her to go into cardiac arrest again. He was her father, for fuck’s sake! Even if she could sense his presence it would surely only assist with her recovery. But no. The hospital had strict rules for ICU patients and he would have to suffer the painful hours until morning, trying to stay positive. Kate had made it thus far against the odds. That was a good sign, right? Over the hurdle of the fall itself and then the arduous hours of surgery. Everything that could be done by the team of surgeons and specialists had been done and now her body needed to heal. She needed to wake up and come back to her family.
There was no way Robert would get any sleep. The five strong coffees had seen to that. He was exhausted physically and mentally so he thought by shutting his eyes he would be out of it in no time. Not the case when his only child was fighting for her life down the hall and at any second she could give up the fight.
The plasma television hanging from the opposite wall was playing some cheap sitcom but the vacant stares from the few people that had joined Robert in the waiting room told him that they were looking but not seeing. Listening but not hearing.
Robert looked at his watch and realized only half an hour had passed since he’d last looked. 8:45 p.m. Damn!
I can’t sit here all night twiddling my thumbs. I need to do something.
Getting up and walking to the nurses’ station, he asked very slowly so they could understand him where the chapel was. It was time to start praying.
Chapter Nine
Kate and Jake had spent the remainder of the day and evening wandering around the island in their ethereal forms, lounging around the mansion talking, making love, holding onto the time they had together.
Kate loved the island. It was absolutely stunning with its untouched beaches and lush foliage. The solitude was bliss. Jake’s mansion was the only structure of any kind tucked into the bosom of a hilly rise that led to a cascading waterfall that ran into a clear, deep lagoon surrounded by smooth, mossy rocks that littered the banks, perfect for sunbathing. Not that they had done that because without the solidity of their flesh and blood bodies they could only absorb the energy from the sun into themselves, which was invigorating in itself and left them feeling strengthened and more dynamic than ever, but it wasn’t sunbathing.
They could have easily teleported back to the mansion after the trip to the lagoon and waterfall but instead they’d opted for a slow, leisurely walk through the winding trail, enjoying the scenery in all its splendor.
Jake appeared thrilled at Kate’s reaction to his oasis as she wandered around carefree, commenting on its beauty.
“This place is amazing, Jake.”
“It is. Pity I haven’t been able to spend more time here. That’s going to change, though. I didn’t buy it to sit vacant. It needs to be enjoyed.”
“I think I’m going to need to escape when it’s all said and done. Carlos was going to take me away when he got back….” It was out before she knew it as reality set in. Carlos. Another part of her life she had to deal with. There would be no weekend away. No happy ending. It was over and he didn’t even know it yet. Kate pulled a leaf off a tree as she paused.
Jake turned to face her and grabbed both her hands. “Once again, I’m so sorry, Kate. I know you must be feeling extremely betrayed. Not only from Carlos but from your father and I also.”
Wasn’t that the truth?
“I must have something imprinted on my forehead that says, ‘Idiots welcome.’ I can’t believe that the one person I let into my world after you left was working for the very organization you were trying to infiltrate. I mean, what are the odds, Jake? Huh?”
“The odds are extremely low, I would say. I mean, how did you meet this guy, anyway?”
Kate recalled the day clearly as if it were only yesterday. She pulled away from Jake and walked to a rock and sat down. Jake moved to lean against a nearby tree.
“Well, I was visiting Monterosso for the day. You know, taking a day off work. One of the rare times that happens. So I thought I’d get out of Vernazza and head to one of the other gorgeous towns in the region. I was backing out of the doorway of a shop with an arm full of goodies from my favorite bakery and we literally ploughed into each other. I dropped everything and he apologized profusely, helped me pick up everything, and offered to buy me coffee as compensation for the broken ciabatta loaf. We walked to Café Giovannini and ended up having two coffees each, and by the time we parted, I’d ended up giving him my cell number. The rest is history.” That was the condensed version. Kate didn’t want to describe in detail how she’d felt a connection with Carlos and had found him instantly attractive. Not like with Jake, but there had been enough there that she’d agreed to have coffee and then give him her number. She didn’t do that very often. Then again, she’d never clicked with many men instantly. If only she’d known where that coffee would lead, she would have just thanked him for picking up her loaf and been on her way.
Kate was trying to read Jake as he listened eagerly. She could almost see the cogs of his mind turning as he paused before asking, “What was Carlos doing in Monterosso?”
“He lives there. Didn’t I tell you that?”
“Ah, no. We haven’t talked a great deal about lover boy.” The icy edge to Jake’s voice didn’t go unnoticed.
Kate shrugged. “None of that matters now. I feel like I’ve just wasted the last six months of my life. What was it all for, Jake? What?”
Kate rose, turned on her heels, and plowed through the thicket towards the house, not wanting to discuss Carlos anymore. The full moon helped light her way as the crickets chirped and the gentle breeze rustled the leaves on the trees, caressing her arms as she forged on.
A fruit bat swooped across her path, causing her to jump in fright. It flew int
o a nearby tree screeching in a high pitched tone, either warning her away or calling for back-up. The island was abundant with wildlife, some of which she’d witnessed during the day. Parrots of all sizes and colors, bush turkeys, butterflies and plenty of sea birds around the perimeter.
“Kate, wait! I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned Carlos.” He picked a twig from his hair as he entered into a light jog.
“Forget it, Jake. I just don’t want to talk about him. I want to get back to the house and try to figure out how we’re going to free you from that prison.”
Jake caught up to Kate and grabbed her arm to stop her. “Kate, stop! Will you just stop?”
Begrudgingly, she halted, not knowing what Jake was going to barrel at her but suddenly too tired to protest. “What?”
“You can’t help me!”
“Excuse me?” He had her full attention now.
“You can’t help me. You’ve got to put all your energy into recovering, Kate. I don’t want you trying to figure out how to get me out of the mess I’m in. I made my bed, now I have to lie in it.”
“Oh, please. Spare me the righteous crap, Jake! You need my help and you know it. Do you think I’m just going to stand by and watch you lose yourself to those freaks? You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I mean it, Kate. You don’t know what you’ll be involved with. It’s too dangerous.”
Kate laughed snidely. “Dangerous? Jesus, Jake. I’ve been dating a key player in this whole shebang. Whether I knew it or not, I was in danger right from the start.”
Stubborn Kate was back. She wasn’t backing down on this. She was going to fight him on this until he agreed.
He shook his head and took her hand, leading her up the back steps onto the porch and without asking, he pulled her through the door into the vast living room. He settled onto the plush cane lounge chair, pulling her down beside him.
The air was balmy, even inside. Jake pressed a remote for the overhead fan, a gentle whir the only noise.
“Look, baby, I know you want to help and before your accident I would have accepted your offer. In fact, that was my intention when I arrived in Vernazza. You were the only one I could think of to help me but things are different now.” He half-turned, resting his left arm on the back of the couch, bending the knee of his left leg, the other one dangling over the couch, his foot sitting on the plush red, shaggy rug.
Without even meaning to, they both leaned in towards each other, not aware that they were doing it, subconsciously needing to be close.
“I’m in, Jake, whether you like it or not. You don’t have a say. You can’t tell me what to do. I want to help you the way you helped me. I would still be lying on that ledge if you hadn’t figured out a way to get word to my father. And another thing! I’m invisible, remember? I won’t get hurt. So, the question is, how are we going to get you off that island?”
Jake’s normally blue eyes had turned to fire with frustration. He gripped the back of the couch tightly with one hand while he used the other to rub his eyes. Kate could see the look of defeat.
“Fine. But we’re playing by my rules. The only reason I’m letting you help is because you’re invisible and no one will see you apart from me. Well, hopefully.”
“Yes, sir!” Kate did the military salute to Jake and feigned seriousness. “That was easier than I thought it would be. Are you softening in your old age?”
“Ha! Softening, no. Knowing you’re going to keep hounding me until I give in, yes. I don’t know how we’re going to go about it, though. That’s something I’ll have to figure out.
“Correction, Jake. We’ll have to figure out.”
“Oh sorry, your highness! We’ll have to figure out.”
Jake sank back into the couch, both arms now splayed over the back of it as he turned and lifted both his legs onto the coffee table in front, one foot crossed over the other.
As Jake sat gazing out into the darkness, Kate started to feel off. Really off. Weak and fragmented. Like she was about to faint. She grabbed her head to try and stop the incredible sensation of vertigo.
Jake spun around. “Kate?”
“I can’t—”
“What is it? Baby, what’s wrong?” His voice was breaking with concern as he leaned in close to her.
“I don’t feel good. It’s like I’m going to pass out.”
She disappeared totally, and then like television with bad reception, she flickered back but not fully.
“Hurry, Kate. Tell me what’s wrong!”
“It feels too strong… My body’s getting pulled away…”
“Kate, it’s okay. Don’t fight it. You need to go. I think your body is pulling you back in. It’s okay. I’ll be right behind you. I’ll be at the hospital. Go!”
She barely had time to offer him a frightened look before she was gone.
Chapter Ten
When Jake reappeared in the hospital he was in the hallway of ICU. Not knowing what room Kate was in and not having been connected to her during teleportation, he would need to try every room until he found her.
The Alma Mater wasn’t a huge hospital but it was functional. Set out on two levels with a metal speared fence and gate out the front, one could be forgiven for thinking it was a wealthy residence rather than a medical establishment. It was, however, the closest in the vicinity to Vernazza that could offer Kate the critical care she needed.
Strolling down the hallway in ICU, Jake couldn’t help but notice how much quieter this wing of the hospital was, unlike the chaos of the emergency department.
After a few minutes of searching every room, Jake hit his target, minus Robert.
Kate lay unconscious and wired to the hilt, much like his own body in the prison cell. An artificial respirator breathed for Kate to help with her collapsed lung. Her left leg and been plastered from knee to thigh as a result of the broken femur and she had a bandage around her skull. Her eyes looked swollen and puffy, skin pallid, mouth open for the tube down her throat.
Jake walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed, putting his hand over Kate’s lifeless one. It felt icy to touch.
“Baby, I’m here now. You don’t have to worry. I’ll stay as long as you need me. I promise.”
It was hard to sit and see Kate in her current state when as long as he’d known her she had barely even had a cold. Always healthy. Not even so much as a headache. But then she’d always been into vitamin supplements and any new herbal remedy on the market. Maybe she’d been onto something. Pity he couldn’t give her a magic potion now that would make her wake up. He’d do anything to see that. The way she’d been at the festival before the accident. Vibrant and alive. Her body now seemed to have caved in on itself, feeding on muscle and fat stores, which showed in her hollow cheeks and thinner frame.
Jake ran his hand up her arm, hoping beyond a miracle that she may be able to feel him even if she couldn’t respond. He’d heard that coma patients could often hear those around them but were trapped in their body like a tomb, paralyzed and unable to lift even a finger or blink.
The fact that Kate had been pulled back into her body was surely a good sign. A sign that her body was trying to heal itself and needed its soul in order to do that. Jake would hold onto that hope. It was all he had.
Jake turned as a nurse sailed into the room. Petite and younger with hair in a bun, she took Kate’s chart off the end of the bed and walked around to the other side to check on the drip and monitor. She jotted down notes as she observed her patient.
She spoke to Kate as if she was awake and not lying unconscious. The British accent took Jake by surprise. He wasn’t expecting to hear anything other than broken English in an Italian hospital.
“Hey, pretty lady. How are you doing after your big ordeal? You’ve been put through the ringer, haven’t you?” She picked up Kate’s arm and put a blood pressure cuff on before pumping it up and reading the digital screen. “Very low but after what you’ve been through its totally understandable.”
It was recorded on the chart before she took the cuff off and proceeded to print out a reading from the heart monitor.
Jake sat fascinated, watching with curious detachment at the competent nurse, who looked like she really loved her job and the patients she cared for. She carried with her a warmth and a look of concern as she kept speaking.
“My name’s Darla and I’m going to be looking after you. Tomorrow we’re going to give you a bath. That’ll make you feel better. It always does. I’ll have you smelling like roses, darling. And I’ll brush your hair real nice for you too once the bandages come off.”
A syringe was placed into the catheter and some blood drawn, filling two vials. The nurse then fussed with Kate’s pillow, trying to fluff it up slightly on both sides before she pulled up the warm blanket, then headed out with her trolley as if she’d never been there in the first place.
Jake was grateful that Kate had such a genuinely, kind nurse caring for her. Robert would be able to communicate with her without any language barriers and Jake would be able to listen. Speaking of Robert, where was he? No doubt sitting in the waiting room, counting down the hours until morning when visiting hours started. How hard would that be? Knowing Kate was down the hall, not being able to see her. If the roles were reversed, Jake would have broken protocol and forced his way into Kate’s room, flashing his badge, hoping like hell that his authority held some weight in the Italian hospital. Jake was surprised at Robert’s restraint. The man had very little when it came to his family and who could blame him? His wife and daughter had been the only thing that had kept him grounded and sane in his dangerous career.
He thought of his own family, whom he hadn’t seen for so long. His school teacher mother with her smiling eyes and cheeky grin. A gentle soul with a heart of gold. Teaching second grade students suited her. She had a way with children that had them both respecting and adoring her. He loved seeing her teach. In her element. With not long to go till retirement, he knew it would be extremely hard for her to let go of all she had ever known.
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