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Uneasy, she glanced at Rafe.
“Rio is one of the best paramedics in the business,” Rafe assured her. “He’s as well trained as a doctor. You can trust him.”
“Rafe’s right,” Josh said. “Let Rio assess your injuries so we know what medical care you need and how fast.”
“She’ll need a doctor,” Rafe said. “The kidnappers zapped her with a stun gun and drugged her.”
Josh’s expression grew grim as he glanced at Rio in the rearview mirror. “Hospital?”
“As soon as possible. We need to know what they gave her. The doc will also want to run a battery of tests.”
“Memorial Hospital, Alex,” Josh said.
Kristi frowned. “How is he talking to the others?”
“He has a communication device in his ear,” Rafe said. “He and his teammates stay in contact with each other that way.” He laid his hand over Kristi’s and squeezed. “I trust Rio. He can help you.”
She looked at the medic who waited in silence for her to decide if she would allow him to treat her. “What do you want to know?”
“Where do you hurt?”
That made her smile and wished she hadn’t. One of the men had slapped her face. “You should have asked me what doesn’t hurt. I’m sore all over, Rio. The kidnappers punched me in the stomach and face, kicked me in the ribs, and shoved me against the side of the van hard enough that I almost passed out at their feet.”
Rafe growled.
“Shut up and drink, Rafe,” Rio said, his tone mild. “I need to check you for internal injuries and cracked ribs, Kristi.”
She nodded.
“Before I do, what part of your head connected with the van?”
“The back.”
“I’ll check that first, then your face and ribs.” Rio ran his fingers along the back of her head. He paused when Kristi sucked in a breath at a tender spot. “You have a nice bump there.” The medic grabbed a small flashlight. “Turn your head for me. I want to check for a cut.”
Rio’s light clicked on. He parted her hair at the back and examined her injury. “Lucky lady. No cut, but your head will be sore for a few days. Your face is next.” Seconds later, he whistled. “Somebody clocked you good, sugar. How does your jaw feel?”
“Like a gorilla slugged me.”
“I bet. May I touch your face?”
“Knock yourself out.”
A minute later, Rafe said, “Well? How bad is it?”
The light turned off again. “A deep bruise is forming.”
Kristi sighed. “Great. My head and face should heal at the same pace as the rest of my body.”
While the men chuckled, Rio reached into his bag again and brought out two small packets that he shook. He laid one of the packets against the back of her head and glanced at Rafe.
Her rescuer polished off his drink and took over holding the cold pack against Kristi’s scalp.
She shivered. The cold increased her trembling, but lessened the headache that had plagued her since the abduction.
The medic handed her the other cold pack. “Press that against your jaw to reduce the swelling and pain. Ribs next.” Rio traced each rib, pausing when she gasped. “Here?”
“Can’t you tell?”
