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“What? No. Of course not.”Fuck. “I found her in the river. Hurt.”
Rex’s frown deepened, and he dropped his bag on the wooden coffee table, then gave Atlas an absent pat.
“She said she’d been kidnapped. She escaped, but they were after her. She was cold, scratched up, and out of it. She also said they’d drugged her.”
Rex cursed and checked her pulse.
“She’s been tied up, Rex.”
The older man made an angry sound, pulling out a stethoscope. “She should be at the hospital. You call the sheriff?”
Boone shifted uncomfortably. “She begged me not to take her to the hospital.”
“She was conscious? Talking?”
Boone nodded. “She knew her name, but she couldn’t remember her most recent memories. She didn’t know exactly how she got into the river, or who was after her.”
Rex grunted. “You trust her story? This isn’t some weird ploy to rob you blind?”
“Yes, I trust her. Trust me, she doesn’t need my money. She’s kind of famous, Rex.
“She is?” The man eyed Gemma’s face, then he shrugged. “You know I don’t have a TV.”
“Someone’s after her. Her father’s wealthy.”
Rex’s face hardened. Like Boone, he was a man who wouldn’t stand for seeing innocent women hurt.
“She’ll be fine. Her pulse is strong. The drug is clearly working its way out of her system. I don’t see any sign of any adverse reaction, but you need to watch her. Keep the fluids up, give her some food when she wakes up.”
“Got it.”
“She’s pretty scratched up. Feet copped the worst of it. Risk of infection.”
Boone swallowed. “Leave me some stuff, and I’ll clean and bandage her injuries.”
Rex eyed him for a second, then nodded. He pulled out bandages, antiseptic wipes, and cream. “What’s your plan, boy?”
Boone shrugged. “Keep her safe. I’ll give my old commander a call. He runs a security company.”
Rex nodded. “What if you get visitors?”
“You know I can take care of myself.” And he’d take care of Gemma as well.
No one would put any more bruises on Gemma Newhouse.
“Be careful,” Rex warned.
Once Boone had let Rex out, he came back and checked on Gemma. Her cheeks were flushed, and she was warm now. He gave in to the urge to touch her and brushed her hair off her face. She had a bruise near her temple. Some asshole had probably hit her. His jaw tightened.
Being as careful as he could, he pulled her feet onto his lap. He cleaned her scratches and pressed some bandages over them. Next, he checked her legs and arms, then took care of her wrists.
He’d just finished up when she moved restlessly and made a small sound.
“Shh. You’re safe now.”
She made a scared noise, her eyelids still closed. She started fighting the blanket.
“Gemma.” He touched her hand. “You’re safe, I promise. I won’t let anyone get to you.”
