Chapter 14
Ranger's POV
I held Steph in my lap all the way to the hospital in Maricao. Lester had called ahead and let them know that we were bringing her in and what her injuries were.
She never woke up on the way. My heart ached as I stared at her face. Against her pale skin, the bruises were even darker. I remembered the tape, remembered how she got them. I held her tightly against my chest and buried my face in her hair.
"Don't leave me, Babe," I whispered, letting my tears fall. "I've got you now. I can't lose you."
The hospital was a small fifties style building. Tank pulled the SUV up to the emergency entrance and I ran in, holding Steph in my arms.
The doctor ran up with a nurse in tow. I laid Steph gently on the stretcher while they immediately started to check her vitals.
"Flesh wound from a single gunshot on her arm. Dehydration and heat exhaustion are likely," I choked on my next words. "She'll need a rape kit performed."
The doctor looked up at me as the nurse wheeled Steph into one of the rooms. I tried to follow, but he held out his hand to stop me.
"You'll have to wait out here, sir," he said. "I'll let you know how she's doing after we check her out."
Before I could respond, he disappeared into Steph's room. I stood at the door and watched through the window as they cut off her shirt and tended to her arm. Another nurse inserted an IV into the other arm. My stomach turned when I saw the bruises on Steph's breasts.
The doctor glanced up and caught my eye. In one swift motion, he drew the curtain around the bed.
I clenched my fist, trying to curb my rage. The emotions were overpowering; fear, rage, love, relief that we found her.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to find Tank. Lester and Bobby were standing off at a distance, watching me.
"Have the others out looking for Miranda," I growled through clenched teeth. "And remind them that I want him kept alive. I will be taking care of him personally."
Tank nodded and walked outside. I dropped down into a chair and leaned my head back against the wall.
God, she had been so still. So pale and cold. I could close my eyes and picture every bruise, every scratch on her precious body. I was afraid that there were more bruises underneath her jeans. And God only knows about her mental health. How would she handle the memory of her abduction and rape? I had no idea how to save her from that.
I had failed to protect her. I asked for her help and all it got her was a whole new nightmare. I shuddered and leaned forward, covering my head with my hands.
I'm so sorry, Babe. I failed you.
I sat there for a long time, my head in my hands. I tried to focus on the good things. Steph flying…the picnic on the beach…watching the sunset…making love…
"Mr.Manoso?"
I jumped at the voice. The doctor was standing in front of me.
"How is she, Doctor?" I demanded, getting to my feet.
"Are you Miss Plum's family?" he asked.
"She's my wife," I croaked, wishing for that to be true. "Please…"
"She was severely dehydrated. If you had brought her in an hour or so later, her organs would have begun to shut down. She would not have survived."
I felt the blood drain from my face at his words.
"We're giving her fluids in her IV. The gunshot wound was infected, but it's been cleaned and bandaged and we've started her on antibiotics. The blood loss wasn't enough to require a transfusion." The doctor looked down at the clipboard in his hands. "Bruises and cuts will heal fairly well. Her vitals are already improving."
I nodded, waiting to hear the rest.
"The rape kit came up negative."
I stared at him in amazement. "Are you sure?"
He nodded. "There were no signs of trauma and we didn't find any semen present.'
Relief hit me like a tidal wave. For the first time in what felt like ages, I smiled. "Thank God."
"She'll need to stay overnight for observations," the doctor continued. "Possibly two or three days depending on her progress."
"Can I see her?" I asked, suddenly afraid that he would refuse.
"Go ahead. She's sleeping now, but she might wake up soon."
I quietly opened the door and stepped inside. She looked like an angel lying there in that narrow bed. I could feel her energy drawing me in.
My eyes never leaving her face, I pulled a chair beside her and sat down. I covered her hand with mine, admiring our contrasting skin tones. The steady rise and fall of her chest was hypnotic.
"I'm here, Babe," I whispered, stroking her hand with my thumb. "You're going to be okay."
I leaned forward and rested my head beside her hand. I closed my eyes and thanked God for sparing her.
Steph's POVDamn it- there's that fog again! I can't begin to describe how tired I am of fighting it. I was about to succumb to it again when I stopped.
I could feel Ranger. He was here with me!
I struggled to open my eyes but it was so hard. I moaned in frustration.
And then I heard him!
"That's it, Babe. Open your eyes for me."
My mouth was much easier to open.
"Ranger…" I croaked. Damn, I sounded like a frog.
"I'm here, Babe." I felt his hand on mine, squeezing gently. "Please try to open your eyes.'
"So hard." I murmured.
"I know it's hard, Steph. I've just missed looking into your beautiful blue eyes.'
I managed a tiny grin. "Using complements to get your way, Carlos?"
Ranger laughed softly and I felt his lips on my forehead.
I felt that after that gesture, he deserved a reward. It was hell, but I forced my eyelids to move. I blinked a few times until I focused on his face.
"Hey." I whispered.
"Hey," he replied, stroking my curls. "How do you feel?"
"Exhausted," I admitted, staring into his eyes. The memories rushed back and my expression must have changed. Ranger looked at me in concern.
"What's wrong, Babe?"
I swallowed hard. "The tape…"
A flood of emotions passed over his face and I knew that he had seen it. I groaned, humiliated.
"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, Babe," he said, covering my hand with his.
"It was Miranda's way of getting you to negotiate. It was mostly for show." I looked him in the eye. "They didn't rape me. He just wanted you to think that they did."
Ranger's eyes closed and his jaw clenched tightly. "I'm so glad they stopped. I couldn't bear the thought of you suffering that."
I intertwined my fingers with his and gave his hand a squeeze. "I'm sorry you saw it. That was the last thing on Earth that I wanted you to witness."
Ranger opened his eyes and leaned in to brush his lips across my cheek. "I'm the one who needs to apologize, Stephanie. If I had protected you better, none of this would have happened."
I shook my head. "Don't you dare blame yourself, Carlos. Miranda did this, not you."
He nodded, but I could still read the guilt on his face.
"Did you catch him?" I asked.
"His guards are in custody. I have contract workers out looking for him." He stared at me for a moment. "I saw your escape, Babe. I'm so proud of you for taking care of yourself."
"You saw?" I was amazed. I hadn't even known he was there.
"My men and I had just gotten there. We were watching the house when you jumped out of the window," Ranger leaned closer and rested his head on my hand. "I'm sorry it took us so long to find you in the forest."
"Don't be. I'm here now."
He nodded and we fell silent. I was exhausted and talking was draining me even more. My eyelids slid shut again and darkness came.
