Page 16 of Consuming Logan

The moving shadow.

Who was he? The large figure, dressed in midnight, had tackled Logan, his weight enough to keep them both pinned down. It was definitely a man who attacked them.

The glinting blade.

He’d aimed for her, but in the end, hurting Logan had been his focus. So, was she…or Logan the true target? Maybe, both.

Logan running to save her.

The force of him shoving her to the ground.

Their bodies slamming against the stone.

The paralyzing pain shooting through her arm and hip.

The weight of him shielding her body while risking his own.

So many unanswered questions? Yet, her brain kept returning to one.

Why?

The stranger had attacked with such menace. The hatred and rage as palpable as the weapon he wielded. Ava’s fear-boggled mind struggled to wrap her head around the pure evil behind the cowardly act.

Who would want to hurt her? It had been dark. Everything had happened so fast. But even still.

Logan’s eyes closed. And, this time they didn’t open.

“Logan!” Ava screamed. “Ethan. Dr. Kane, please.” she sobbed, “Someone find Ethan. Now.”

Tyson stalked in behind her, taking charge. Commanding some, he dictated to others. His deep masculine voice reached her before he did.

“You focus on Logan. I’ll get the doctor here.”

She didn’t think so. Tyson was kind and generous. His need to protect as obvious as Logan’s. Her man and this one was alike. Confident, commanding, and caring. Even Tyson’s arresting green eyes reminded her of Logan. Ava was grateful Tyson and his brother, Maximus, had been there to manage the frenzied crowd, to keep Robert Lee from crumbling.

Nurses and patient care technicians ran towards them. Why did it seem as if everything was happening at half speed? Some gasped when they recognized it was Dr. Masters, covered in blood. They were escorted to a private trauma suite. The gurney positioned in the middle of the room; the headboard moved close to the wall.

Three years on nursing staff in this hospital, she knew which doctors to call in a crisis, and the ones to avoid. Ethan Kane was the best acute & emergency medicine physician on staff.

“Ava, sweetheart,” came Logan’s strained voice. He pulled at the mask piping oxygen into his nose and mouth. “Are you hurt?”

Even through his pain Ava saw his love for her reflected in his glazed-over green eyes.

She leaned over his bedside. “No,” she shook her head vehemently, “you saved me. Here, baby. Keep your mask on.”

He tried to talk, but a strangled cough abruptly ended his sentence. Pain laced each word and Ava bit the inside of her cheek to squelch the wall of emotions threatening to break free.

He reached for her, seeming to recognize his bandaged hand for the first time.

“I love—,” Logan grunted. Where was Ethan?

“Shh, baby. I love you so much.”

“I’m here. I’m here.” Ethan Kane appeared at Ava’s side. His dark eyes attentive, assessing his patient and the situation without a word. His dark hair was pushed back from his forehead. He sported blue scrubs, rubber Crocs on his feet, and a five o’clock shadow on his angular jaw.

“Oh, thank you God,” the words came out in a rush. “During the attack, he hit his head. He can’t stay awake.” She switched into nursing mode, relaying pertinent information regarding the transport, Logan’s vital signs, oxygen liters, infused fluids, and the initial physical assessment prior to transport. To Ethan’s credit, he let her ramble. His expression remained neutral, allowing her the illusion of being useful.

“I’ll do everything I can, Ava,” he said, giving her shoulder a squeeze.