The Choice Read Online Free PDF Page A

punched a hole right through him. But he did what he always did. He shoved the ache back in the dark pit it came from.
    “Sam, are you listening?”
    He blinked. Jesse was in his face again.
    “Gotta call, purse snatching and assault. The powers that be get a little nervous when things happen in our airport.” His friend frowned, shaking his head in mock dismay. “Don’t tell me you’re mixed up in this?”
    “It wasn’t a purse. Try backpack. My lucky day, I was behind her when she got tossed.”
    “Big, strong, good looking guy like you, women are still jumping in your lap—amazing.” Jesse’s invisible green horns of envy flashed.
    Sam stepped back and chanced a glimpse at Marcie.
    “You get a good look at the guy, did ya?”
    Jesse’s sharp gaze missed nothing. He took a step into Sam’s space, eye level pinning him to the spot.
    Sam blamed his obsessed scattered focus for the reason he didn’t zero in on the tall, lanky kid before he’d taken Marcie down. The speed and skill the thief operated. He was definitely a pro. Pissed at the young thug, he struggled to remember where he’d come from. Ah, that’s right. He’d slid in behind the lady, cut the straps of her bag and knocked her down before bolting, only to be swallowed up in the crowds; the perfect snatch and grab.
    Street-smart instincts kicked in when Sam started after the kid, but he stopped cold when Marcie’s head smacked the ground.
    He looked back at Jesse and then over to the door when he realized his name would be on the police report.
    Jesse’s crooked smile widened while he appeared to read his mind. “Trying to sneak away are ya?”
    A snarl burst out before he could mask his reaction. Sam shuffled his feet and then crossed his arms. He really needed to get out of here. Sam used his six feet one inch height and his solid build to power over Jesse.
    “Sam, come on. I know you’re trying to get out of here, but you’ve got to help me out.”
    Sam sighed when he looked back at the girl. “Not much of a look. Tall, lanky kid sidled up to her. Blue jeans, gray T-shirt, scrungy brown baseball cap, picture of sea lions on the side. Dark kid, maybe six feet with a gold earring in his right ear.” Had time stood still?
    “Don’t miss much do you? What he have for breakfast?”
    Sam cocked his head and narrowed his eyes. “Fuck you, asshole.”
    Jesse chuckled.
    “Excuse me sir, the lady’s asking for you.” The slightly balding, short paramedic, name tag said “Wesley”, spoke softly. “We’re ready to go.”
    Sam looked with ease over Wesley’s head. Marcie appeared stricken, with doe-like eyes. She needed a friendly face.
    “We need to get her checked out. She’s going to need a couple of stitches for sure, and they’re going to want to do a head CT for her possible memory loss and confusion.”
    Sam moved beside Marcie. She reached for his hand, and he winked and watched her face soften with relief. He warmed a little in his belly, feeling like a gallant knight who’d saved the damsel in distress. Until he caught Jesse’s sharp eye watching the entire exchange, suspiciously.
    “Memory loss… What you saying, she got amnesia?” Jesse stepped forward and spoke directly to Wesley.
    “She’s confused. Not unexpected with head injuries, the Doc will look her over.”
    Marcie clung to Sam with both hands now . She’s scared. God help him, but he was stung by a piercing drive to protect her. He didn’t want, or need, this complication right now. He had his own problems to deal with.
    “I don’t want to go to any hospital.”
    “Marcie, it’s not a choice. You need stitches, and the Doc needs to have a look at you.”
    “Will you come with me?” Her eyes, her voice pleaded.
    “Sure.” He slammed his teeth together. Digging yourself in further. That was your last chance to slip away, you idiot. He closed his eyes to stifle the irritating voice, except those smooth, tangy words poked him again. You just couldn’t