Dead Heat Read Online Free PDF Page A

information on Danielle. Finally a doctor came through and walked through the lobby to the waiting area. Paige felt Mo tense and heard the Rose sisters begin to pray.
    “Mr. Ali Rahman?” The short woman wearing green scrubs, with curly brown hair haphazardly pulled back into a ponytail asked the group. Mo stood and stepped forward as if he was facing an executioner.
    Paige found herself on her feet. She was so nervous she was shaking. Cole’s warm supportive arm slipped around her waist and she was pulled against his strong chest. She took a deep breathe to steady herself, and found Cole’s masculine scent a comfort. He exuded quiet confidence and support as he gently squeezed her hip to show her he was thinking of her.
    “How is she?” Mo asked so quietly Paige could barely hear him.
    “Stable.” Paige saw Mo practically collapse. His father came up beside him, placing his arm around his son’s shoulder. Paige couldn’t relax yet. She had to hear it all before she could breathe a sigh of relief. She looked to the left of Mo and saw Mr. De Luca with his arm around his wife, tears streaming down his face.
    “I’m Dr. Francis, Danielle’s surgeon. The bullet hit the rib, shattering it. The rib punctured the left lung, causing it to collapse and resulting in a hemothorax. That’s when blood fills the space between the lining of the lung and the collapsed lung. It is what caused Danielle to have such difficulty breathing and what resulted in her losing consciousness.
    We inserted a chest tube into the lung cavity and connected it to a vacuum to drain the fluid and reinflate the lung. At the same time, we removed the bullet. She pulled through very well. She’s awake and resting as comfortably as we can make her in the ICU.”
    “What happens now?” Mo asked.
    “The chest tube will stay in until it is no longer draining blood. I would expect at least three or four days. Barring infection or any complications, she could be released in one to two weeks depending on how she responds to treatment.”
    “Can I see her now?”
    “Yes. She’s groggy from the medication, but it will do her good to see her family.” Dr. Francis looked around to the large group and frowned. “I can’t let you all back there. She needs her rest. Only immediate family, sorry.”
    “I am Tony De Luca. I am her father, and this is her mother. Could the three of us go back now?” He asked as Mary De Luca embraced a visibly affected Mo in a tight hug.
    “Yes, that should be fine. Follow me.” With Mary’s arm around him, Mo followed Dr. Francis through the door.
     
    Paige finally allowed herself to close her eyes and give thanks. She swayed and leaned against Cole. It was as if all strength and energy had drained from her. She was so tired, so weak. She felt him move his hand up to her shoulder and pull her against him. She let her head fall against his chest and listen to his strong heartbeat. Cole leaned down and rested his cheek against her head.
    “It’ll be okay. I promise. I need to interview them now. I don’t want to leave you here though. I need to make sure you are safe. I won’t be able to focus on my job knowing you are in danger.” She felt him gently kiss her head as he talked.
    “I’m fine, Cole.” Paige nuzzled her head into his chest and took a deep breath. If she could, she’d fall asleep curled into Cole. Huh? No she wouldn’t. She was delirious after a day filled with terror. That must be it.
    “No, you’re not. You’re just too stubborn to realize it,” he whispered into her hair.
    “I am not! Why you” She pulled her head back and looked into his eyes. The silver sharpening as his temper rose.
    “Paige. Stop. I get it. You don’t want to go into protective custody. But, I can’t work if I am constantly worried about you. So, why don’t you just come with me? I will know you are safe if I can keep an eye on you.” He moved his hand to her head and pulled her close again. She let her head