Marie Ferrarella - M.D. Most Wanted стр 5.

His hands already in surgical gloves, his attention focused on the unconscious accident victim before him, Reeses back was to the doors. He didnt even bother looking around toward the other man.

Instead, he directed his words to the dark-haired orderly on his left.

Miguel, call security, he instructed calmly, cutting away Londons suit from the site of the largest pool of blood. Tell them to hurry.

The man stood with a foot inside the room, wavering, immobilized by indecision. A guttural sound of frustration escaped his lips. And then, struggling with his rage, his demeanor became deadly calm.

I hope for your sake that your affairs are in order, Doctor. You lose her, you dont leave the hospital. Ever. With that, he pushed the doors apart again and stepped outside.

Rose Warren, the senior surgical nurse shivered at the quietly uttered prophesy and glanced

toward Reese. I think he means it.

I know he does.

Reese finished cutting and examined the wound exposed beneath the blood-soaked material. There was no doubt in Reeses mind that the hulking man behind him could easily snuff out his life if he so chose, but there was no time to consider the situation. He had a patient to try to save, whether or not his own safety had just been put on the line.

He began processing the information coming at him from all sides and issuing orders in conjunction with the findings.

The man scowling just outside the swinging doors, peering through the glass and glaring at their every move, was temporarily forgotten.

The X rays confirmed what Reese already suspected. Miraculously, there were only two fractured ribs. But there was a great deal of internal bleeding going on. If the situation wasnt corrected immediately, it would turn life threatening in less time than it took to contemplate the circumstances or even to explain them to her not-so-silent guardian.

They had to hurry.

The instant the doors parted, the hulking man came to rigid attention. Surprised that they were on the move again, he fell into place beside the gurney, trotting to keep pace.

How is she? he demanded. Where are you taking her?

Theres internal bleeding, Reese told him.

He took care to keep his own reaction to the man out of his voice. Stress took many forms, and Reese figured that the mans concern might have been expressed in bullying behavior because of the nature of his work. Hed already seen the hilt of the gun the man wore beneath his overcoat and surmised that he was connected to some kind of bodyguard detail associated with the young woman. Either that or the man was her wise guy/hitman/lover.

We have to stop it, he continued. Were taking her to the main operating room.

As they turned a corner, Reese glanced toward the man beside the gurney. He saw deep lines of concern etched into his otherwise smooth face. His expression wasnt that of a man who was concerned about his job, but of a man who was worried about the fate of a person he cared about.

Reese wondered what the real connection between the two was and decided in the same moment that it was none of his business. All that mattered to him was doing whatever it took to save the womans life. Anything beyond that was out of his realm.

Moving swiftly beside the gurney, Wallace Grant took Londons small, limp hand into his. This was all his fault.

His fault.

Damn it, why had she driven away like that? It was almost as if she had been playing some elaborate game of chicken, daring him to catch her.

He was supposed to keep her safe, not jeopardize her life.

The ache in his chest grew. He wasnt looking forward to calling her father and reporting this latest turn of events. The man had hired him to make sure that what had happened to the Chilean ambassadors daughter didnt happen to London.

The anger was gone, temporarily leeched out, when Wallace looked up at the man he was forced to place his faith in.

Is she going to?

Pull through? Reese supplied, guessing the end of the mans question. I made her a promise that she would. I like keeping my promises. Theyd come to another set of doors. Reese suddenly felt sorry for the man who had threatened him. For a moment the bodyguard looked like a lost hound dog. Compassion filled Reese. Youre going to have to stay outside.

Wallace didnt want to be separated. The irrational fear that she would die if she was out of his sight crowded into his fevered brain. He licked his lips as he looked past the doctors shoulder into the pristine room that lay just beyond.

Cant I just?

Reese firmly shook his head. There was no room for debate, no time for an argument. No.

Wallace dragged his hand through slicked-down brown hair. He knew the longer he stood out here arguing, the less time the doctor had to do what needed doing. Saving the ambassadors daughter. Saving the woman he had sworn to protect with his very life.

Okay, Wallace said breathing heavily, as if dragging his bulk around had suddenly become very difficult for him. Ill be right out here if you need me.

Theres a waiting room, Reese said, pointing down the hall toward the cheerfully decorated area that was set aside for the families and friends of patients in surgery.