Page 49 of Keeping Collette

There were too many things about this whole situation that didn’t sit right with Deal. There were so many hanging threads, and there had to be a connection that would tie them all together. What that was, was anyone’s guess.

Deal followed Collette back to her apartment, looking forward to spending more time with her. After the meeting had ended, she’d gone with Cass to help her. He and the guys had a meeting with Julian about a group that the FBI were keeping an eye on, and it was possible that the team would be sent to observe them to get a handle on what they were doing. The reports the FBI were receiving were mixed, so before they acted on it, they wanted credible information. Normally the Feds would do it themselves, but as the location was in the middle of the jungle, and they were stretched with other cases, Julian wanted them to handle the surveillance. Their skills as former SEALs to get in and out without detection was required as it was a delicate matter.

The last thing Deal wanted to do was leave Collette, especially after what had happened in the office, but he also wanted to go because he reveled in this type of mission. To use what he’d been trained for always got his adrenaline pumping. However, the likelihood of them leaving within in the next few days was slim, so it wasn’t something he’d have to worry about. Or talk to Collette about either.

The back of his neck itched, and his muscles tensed. Glancing in his rearview mirror, he saw a black sedan bearing down on him. He flexed his fingers around the steering wheel, prepared to take evasive action if he had to, but it changed lanes, almost sideswiping another vehicle.

In front of him, Collette’s brake lights lit up, and a second later the sedan that had been driving erratically swerved into his lane and slammed into the back of Collette’s Mini, pushing her into the car in front of her.

“Fuck,” Deal slammed on his brakes, giving his mirrors a quick look, breathing out when he saw that there was a good gap behind him so he wouldn’t get hit and create even more of a mess.

The second his SUV had jerked to a stop, he was out and racing toward Collette’s car. Around him, other vehicles stopped or slowed. He spared the car that had hit Collette a look, noting that the driver was pushing down the airbag that had deployed. There was a trickle of blood down his cheek, but he seemed okay.

It was only because of Collette that he didn’t stop and swear at the guy for being a dickhead while he was driving.

Deal cringed when he saw Collette’s Mini. It was sandwiched between the one that had hit her and the one she’d been forced into. The driver of that car had gotten out and was rubbing her neck.

“Collette!” he yelled as he attempted to yank her door open. The metal was crumpled, and he wasn’t sure he was going to be able to get it open, but adrenaline fired through him.

He had to get to her.

With his fingers gripping the door handle, he braced his foot and yanked hard. The metal screeched and gave a little. Readjusting his stance, he gave another pull, and the door opened.

Collette was slumped over the steering wheel, her head cushioned by the airbag. Blood streamed from a large gash across her forehead.

He touched his fingers to her neck, relieved to feel her pulse. “Collette, can you hear me? Help is coming, you’re going to be fine. I’m not leaving you. Okay?”

Her eyelids fluttered open. “Deal?”

“Yeah, baby, I’m here.”

“Okay.” Her eyes closed again, and it was only because he still had his fingers on her and could feel the steady thrum of her pulse that he didn’t freak out.

Around him, people were talking. He didn’t pay any attention to them. All his focus was on the precious woman in the car.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Collette was aware of the activity going on around her. Of hands pressing down on her stomach. Putting a cuff around her arm. Assuring her that she was okay. She could also hear Deal telling whoever was touching her to be careful.

She’d been an accident, that much she knew. It had happened so fast. One second she was slowing down. There was plenty of room between her and the car ahead of her. She always made sure of that. Tailgating was something she hated. The next second, something slammed into her so hard that it pushed her into the back of the car in front.

The sound of the metal crunching wasn’t one she would forget anytime soon. There was a loud bang of the airbags deploying, and then blackness, until she heard Deal’s voice asking her if she was okay.

Now, in a haze of pain and noise, all she wanted to do was sleep. When she woke, maybe it would all be quiet.

“Ma’am, we’re going to get you out now, but it’s going to be loud, as you’re trapped.” The voice was gentle, but didn’t give her the comfort that Deal’s always gave her.

“Mm-hmm.” She couldn’t say anything else.

Something was placed over her ears, and the whirr of a machine that sounded like a chainsaw filled the air.

Sleep pulled at her, and as a fresh wave of pain consumed her, she fell into the darkness.

What seemed like a second later, she was jostled, and she blinked slowly. A trail of lights were above her, moving quickly as if she was on a travelator.

A look to her left showed someone walking beside her; the metal railing of a bed also visible.

“Hospital,” she whispered.