Gordon staggered to his feet and out into the hall. Brett let him go. He wouldn’t get far. The cops would pick him up.
Looking at Tess, so helpless and still on the floor, escalated his anxiety to panic proportion. He could barely breathe, barely think. He had to concentrated on what needed to be done.
The sound of busy signal nearly drove him out of his mind. He yelled in frustration and fought the urge to throw the phone against the wall. He shoved it at Ian. “Keep hitting the redial button until they answer.”
With hands stained with Gordon’s blood, he dragged his cell phone out his pocket, rushed through his contacts and pushed the key.
Miguel’s voice sounded as cocky as always, “Sailor boy.”
“Gordon came to Tess’s apartment and stabbed her with a hypodermic filled with heroin. 911 isn’t answering. She’s dying. Please tell me you have something you give your guys if they O.D.”
Miguel’s tone turned flat. “We’re on our way. We’ll be there in five minutes.”
Five minutes! Five minutes was a fucking lifetime! He shoved the cell phone in his pocket.
Ian had finally gotten through to the emergency operator, his frantic voice was high-pitched with stress and punctuated with open sobs. His green eyes looked wild, and he was tearing at his hair with one hand while he gripped the phone with the other. The international reporter who had dodged bullets and been abducted by terrorists was falling apart.
Brett dropped to his knees next to Tess, then just as quickly rushed to his feet again. He couldn’t touch her with Gordon’s blood on his hands. He scrubbed his hands, then got a dishtowel from the kitchen and wet it. He hurried back and kneeled to bathe her face and clean the vomit from her chin. He made sure her airway was clear and rolled her back onto her side in case she threw up again. Her pulse was weak, her skin pasty and white. If he had to, he’d do CPR until it killed him. He wasn’t losing her.
“Don’t leave me, Tess. Keep fighting, baby. I’m here.” Tears blurred his eyes. He kept his fingers on her pulse and monitored every breath. “Fight, Tess. Keep breathing, honey. I love you, Tess.” He didn’t think she could hear him, but it helped him to tell her.
“Get a blanket from the bedroom, Ian.”
The big man struggled to his feet with the phone still clamped to his ear, staggered into the bedroom, and returned with the blanket from the bed. Brett covered her. As he met Ian’s frantic gaze he realized Tess’s father had aged ten years in the minutes since the attack.
Brett had never prayed so hard in his life. He offered God every bargain he could think of in return for Tess’s life. Time crept by. He strained to hear the sound of an ambulance’s siren, and fought the urge to scream and rail. The cell phone in his hand sounded and he punched the button to answer it.
“I am here,” Miguel’s voice came across the connection. Brett gave him the apartment number.
It seemed an eternity before Miguel appeared at the open apartment door. He hurried to Tess’s side holding what looked like a syringe. He stabbed it into Tess’s thigh and pushed the plunger. “This is Narcan and will neutralize the drug in her system. When the ambulance arrives, tell them what I’ve given her.” He shoved the syringe into Brett’s hand. Then he lifted Tess’s eyelids and felt her pulse.
“How long does it take to work?” Brett asked.
“It is already working. They will give her more throughout the night.” The sound of a siren whispered in the distance, and Miguel stood. “Where is Gordon?”
“He stumbled out the door. I beat him until he told me what he gave her.”
“Good. Tell Ms. Kelly we are even and that Gordon will no longer be a problem for her.”
“Don’t let him off easy. Let him face what he’s done here.”
Miguel’s expression remained flat, unreadable. He strode back out the door without another word.
Had Brett just signed a man’s death warrant? Did he even care? Brett searched his heart for some pity for Gordon, and found none.
He gripped Tess’s wrist and felt her pulse again. It felt a little faster, a little stronger. He pressed his ear to her chest and listened to her breathing. It didn’t seem as shallow.
“Just a little longer, baby. Help is coming.”
Chapter Thirty
‡
The beeping noise was driving her crazy. Growing louder and louder, pounding a nail of consciousness into her sleep-dulled mind. Was it a delivery truck outside backing up? Surely it didn’t take that long to—Tess opened her eyes.
The room was shrouded in twilight. A long wall lamp over the bed reflected a soft glow off the ceiling.
Shit! She was in the hospital. She rolled onto her side and the sticky pads attached to the heart monitor pulled at her skin.
Brett sprawled loose-limbed and sound asleep in a chair by the bed. His six-foot frame overwhelmed the small seat, and his head tilted at an angle guaranteed to give him a crick in his neck. Light brown lashes fanned against his cheeks. His hair, having grown since his return, was actually attempting to lie flat, but not quite making it. Even with beard scruff darkening the lower half of his face, he’d never looked more handsome.
Tess moved her arm, felt the tug of the IV and frowned. Oh God, what about the wedding? Would she be able to walk down the aisle?
Before she’d been overwhelmed by the heroin’s affects she recalled she’d wondered if she was dying and hadn’t cared if she did. The drug, the heroin Gordon had injected her with…Had leached her will to live. Drained it from her consciousness. How insidious and scary was that?
She’d awakened to the brightly-lit bedlam of the emergency room with an IV in her arm and a doctor asking questions she felt too tired to answer. All she’d wanted to do was return to the floating euphoria where nothing mattered. Until she’d seen Brett standing off to one side. She’d never forget the look of anguished worry on his face.
The door opened and a nurse came into the room carrying a basket filled with the paraphernalia to draw blood. Her pale scrubs looked dull gray until she neared the bed and stepped into the dim light, and they turned blue. She offered Tess a smile, and after a glance in Brett’s direction, whispered, “How are you feeling?”
If she said ‘like shit’ they’d make her stay and she’d miss the wedding. “I’m good.”
Brett shifted in his seat, straightened, and then arched his back and stretched. He came to the bed and rested a hand on the railing to watch while the nurse took her temp, vital signs and checked the IV bag.
“The doctor’s ordered another tox screen and a few other tests.”
Tess stretched out her arm where a bruise had already formed from other blood draws and flinched when her shoulder moved. She knew she had a bruise on her thigh where Brett had told her Miguel had injected her. But she also felt sore in other places as well. She looked away while the nurse inserted the needle.
Brett grasped her free hand and ran a calming thumb over her fingers. Dark rings discolored the skin beneath his eyes. Exhaustion dragged at the corners of his mouth. As soon as the nurse finished and left, Tess patted the bed beside her.
After a brief pause, he lowered the side railing and slid onto the narrow mattress to spoon with her.
“How are you really feeling?” he asked.
“A little shaky. And sore in spots.”
“Me too.”
She ran her fingers over his red knuckles. “I’m sorry.”
“For what, honey?”
“For…everything.”
Brett let out a sigh. “None of this shit was your fault.”
She guided his hand up beneath her cheek. After a few minutes of silence she asked, “Did they find Gordon?”
“Buckler called my cell phone last night about one. Gordon was dumped out of a car in front of the police station downtown.”
“He was still breathing, wasn’t he?”
“Yeah. A little beat up, but okay. He’s confessed to everything. He’d been looking for his nephew for
days when the cops found him dead. He blamed himself for not finding him in time.”
“His nephew had a two-year history of drug addiction. He’s been in and out of jail and rehab.” But things could have been handled with more consideration at the paper. “I didn’t write the piece in the paper about his nephew. It was done by another staff writer. I should have done it.”
“He was just looking for some kind of payback, and you were the only one he was brave enough to take on.”
Tess turned to look over her shoulder. “Is Ian okay?”
“Yeah. Once you were out of the woods. He was in pretty bad shape before.”
“My mom?”
“Luckily by the time I called her, things were turning around. Don’t you remember her coming in?”
She rubbed her forehead. “Vaguely.” She hugged his hand to her. “They are going to let me out in time for the wedding, aren’t they?”
“If the doctor says you’re good to go.”
She was going to be at the church if she had to crawl there. Surely by three o’clock she’d back on her feet. She wasn’t about to miss her own wedding. Not after all this.
“I don’t ever want to go through anything with you ever again like I did last night, Tess.” Brett said, his voice breaking. Her heart sank, but when she attempted to face him his arm tightened.
She hastened to reassure him. “I’m okay. This was just a random thing. It’s never going to happen again.”
After a few minutes his arm relaxed and she turned to brush away the tears still wet on his face. Emotion gripped her throat at seeing them and answering tears blurred her vision.
“Maybe we should move to D.C.,” he said.
“Screw D.C. It’s the Post’s fault I went on the interview with Mary to begin with. I’d just done the phone interview with the editor and I was gung ho to sink my teeth into something controversial. If I hadn’t met with her, she’d still be alive, and none of this would have happened. I wouldn’t move to Washington D.C. if you paid me.”
Brett laughed. “Okay.”
When he pulled her close to snuggle against him, she relaxed. “Did you really wipe puke off my face?” she asked.
Brett snorted and his chest shook. “Yeah.”
Tess cringed at the thought of him seeing her like that. “I suppose you really have to love someone to do that.”
“In sickness and in health, honey.”
Tears glazed her eyes again, but she smiled. “I have a weak stomach, but I’ll do my best.”
*
From all the stares and good wishes tossed her way as she left the hospital, Tess was pretty certain Scripps Mercy had never had a bride leave its halls in a wheelchair, already dressed to walk down the aisle. Her mother carried her belongings, while Clara held the short train up from the side of the chair.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” her mother asked for the tenth time in two hours.
“Yes, I’m fine.” In truth she felt much better now she was on her way to the church, but still shaky. It had been sixteen hours since she’d been injected. With all the medications they’d given her to neutralize the heroin, she was on her feet. She still needed to take things easy. Still felt like she’d been stomped on by an elephant.
But her kidney and liver functions were normal. And, because she’d been attacked and injected, and not considered a real drug user, they decided not to send her to rehab. Hallelujah!
Milton stood out front waiting for them, his car pulled up with the doors open. He helped her out of the wheelchair and into the back seat with Clara. Her mother took a seat up front.
Clara folded the train of her dress over her lap to keep it from wrinkling. She gave Tess’s hand a brief squeeze and actually smiled when she looked as if she really wanted to cry.
Twenty-five minutes later, as Tess stood outside the entrance to the Crown Room, surrounded by her bridesmaids and their escorts, nerves hit her. She’d never seen so many men in dress white uniforms. But the navy blue bridesmaids’ dresses she’d chosen contrasted nicely. Greenback and Selena would start the procession, followed by Langley and Trish, Flash and Samantha, then Bowie and Zoe.
Ian took her arm and brushed a kiss against her forehead. “You look beautiful, Tess.” His voice shook and he cleared his throat.
“Thank you, Daddy.” She’d had time to think about everything he’d said last night before the attack, and she couldn’t stay angry with him. “I think I’d like to do some freelance stuff with you.” It was her way of accepting his apology and telling him she forgave him.
Ian laughed.
Milton flashed her a smile and took her other arm. “Most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”
Tess leaned her head against his shoulder for a moment. He patted her cheek.
Zoe tucked Tess’s bouquet of white and pink-tinged Calla lilies into her hand. Tess savored their fragrance.
The music began. Nerves and a rush of excitement set off the sensation of bats playing badminton in her stomach. Greenback and Langley opened the doors and took their places. The room glowed gold in the light of the overhead lamps and wall sconces. The space resembled the belly of a Victorian ship with its spine-like beams and wooden coffered ceiling. The men looked more masculine against the background, the women more feminine.
This was the place she and Brett had first met, and a fitting place for them to seal the ties between them.
The bridesmaids and escorts disappeared through the doors a pair at a time. Then the music changed and Ian and Milton stepped forward, supporting and guiding her. Rows of chairs arranged for the guests created the aisle.
Brett stood at the end waiting for her. As soon as she saw him her nerves settled. Sunlight spilled through the bank of windows that curved around the end of the room. A small two-step platform had been erected, and an arbor of white and pink Calla lilies, matching her bouquet, had been placed where they would stand. Hawk stood at parade rest on Brett’s left, acting as his best man, the minister on his right.
She had never been more certain of anything as she walked toward Brett and her future. She had never felt such love for another person. He had been willing to die for her, had saved her life three times. Had fought for her. She was so lucky to have found him. So lucky they had found each other.
*
Brett had never seen Tess look more beautiful. The heart-shaped bodice of her gown followed the curve of her breasts, while lace covered her shoulders and arms, emphasizing the natural grace of her figure. Her auburn hair flowed free over her shoulders beneath an elbow-length veil.
Everything they’d been through in the last three weeks played through his mind. It was a miracle she was walking toward him at this moment. When she made it to the steps and her father placed her hand into Brett’s, the symbolic meaning behind the gesture brought a knot to his throat.
He gripped her hand as she climbed the platform. Milton stepped forward to help with the train that spread out behind her. Zoe stepped forward to take her bouquet.
Tess paused to look up at him and smiled. “I made it.”
After all the worry about his being AWOL for the wedding, it was she who’d nearly missed it—permanently. Brett slipped an arm around her and held her close. Emotion nearly overwhelmed him. Lord, if he cried in front of this crowd, he’d never hear the end of it.
“That’s supposed to come at the end of the ceremony,” the minister said.
The wedding party and guests laughed.
“I couldn’t help myself,” Brett quipped and they laughed again.
“Did your team make it?” she asked.
“They’re directly behind you on your right.”
Tess turned to look over her shoulder at them and wave. Brett laughed when the guys grinned like fools.
He pointed to his insignia and her eyes widened. “Your promotion came through? I’m marrying a Lieutenant.”
Lieutenant Commander Jeffrey had shown up with the rest of his unit moments before the service with the
shoulder boards and his collar insignia. They’d had a brief promotion celebration in the room Brett had reserved for the night.
Pastor Grant cleared his throat. They sobered and turned to face him. He smiled and began the service with a prayer and went directly into the traditional service. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God and this company to join this man and woman in holy matrimony…
Tess’s voice was strong as she repeated her vows, but her hand trembled a little when she slipped the plain gold band over his finger. He spoke his own vows from memory, without prompting, and slid the ring on hers.
The pastor finished the ceremony with, “The sanctity of marriage and the bond between a husband and wife are built each day through love and respect, and, when nurtured, become as strong as this silk cord.” He looped the silk cord around their hands in the Irish custom they had rehearsed, and then tied it.
“You don’t have to tie it too tight, pastor, we’ve already got this part covered.” Brett said. He looked deep into Tess’s eyes and saw the same love and joy that crowded his chest.
Tess smiled. “Yes, we do.”
The End
Books by Teresa Reasor
SEAL Team Heartbreakers Series
Breaking Free (Book 1 of the SEAL Team Heartbreakers)
Breaking Through (Book 2 of the SEAL Team Heartbreakers)
Breaking Away (Book 3 of the SEAL Team Heartbreakers)
Building Ties (Book 4 of the SEAL Team Heartbreakers)
Breaking Ties (Available in the Hot Alpha SEALs: Military Romance Megaset and in Building Ties Print Edition)
Historicals
Highland Moonlight
Captive Hearts
Highland Moonlight Spinoffs
To Capture a Highlander’s Heart: The Beginning (Short Story)
To Capture A Highlander’s Heart: The Courtship (Novella)
To Capture A Highlander’s Heart: The Wedding Night (Coming Soon)
Paranormals
Timeless (Paranormal Romantic Suspense)
An Automated Death (A Steampunk Short Story)
Contemporary Romance
Building Ties (Military Romantic Suspense) (SEAL Team Heartbreakers Book 4) Page 29
