Chapter 2 #2
They reached the ATV, and Sadie helped Saul settle onto the seat behind her. "Are you sure you’re up to this?" she asked, before starting the engine. "If you have a phone, I could call… someone."
“No! Not yet. I need to… think. Make sure I can’t be tracked. I don’t want to put anyone else in danger. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I’ve endured worse,” he replied, leaving her with only more questions.
Worse? In what world could a playboy billionaire like Saul Stephens possibly be in a worse scenario than he appeared right now?
Sadie wasn’t sure she wanted to know.
As they set off through the darkness, Saul's arms wrapped around her waist, his chest pressed against her back.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Sadie couldn't help but be acutely aware of his proximity, the warmth of his body seeping into hers.
He was a handsome man. Although neither that, nor his wealth, was enough to sway Sadie, since she was very much more invested in a person's character and moral fiber.
So, the soft grunts of pain in her ear as they bounced over the uneven ground, and his insistence about not placing anyone at risk until he knew it was safe, made him a lot more interesting.
Sadie was intrigued. Being a psychologist meant she was always analyzing people on some level, though she really did try not to…
or at least, tried not to make it obvious.
But the mystery of this wealthy ladies’ man falling into her lap and not being what he seemed was a red rag to a bull; a mystery Sadie wanted to get to the bottom of.
The journey back to her cabana seemed to take an eternity. Every bump and jolt elicited a muffled groan from Saul, his grip around her waist tightening reflexively. Sadie's mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle of his unexpected arrival and how she should handle it.
Leaving him without care wasn’t an option, no matter how much he objected.
It occurred to her as they approached her home, nestled in a secluded cove, that as a co-owner, Saul must have a property of his own on the island.
She wondered briefly if she should take him there, but as Sadie slowed the ATV to a stop and turned to look at him, the glazed look in his eyes was enough to wipe that thought from her mind.
"We're here," she said softly, turning to help Saul dismount.
He staggered drunkenly as his feet hit the ground, and she rushed to support him, wondering just how much blood the man had lost.
Sadie guided Saul into her cabana, grateful for the muted light from the lamp she’d left switched on as they entered.
The warm glow illuminated his ashen face, highlighting the sheen of sweat on his brow.
Easing him onto her couch, he winced as he let out a pained groan, and Sadie made a mental note to find her phone and make a few discrete calls as soon as she’d checked him over.
She’d suffered enough injuries in her time to have a more extensive knowledge than she’d like, not to mention the understanding of what couldn’t be kept under wraps.
"Let me take a look at that wound," she said, her voice gentle but firm.
Saul nodded weakly, his eyes half-closed, and Sadie carefully peeled back his jacket and heavily soiled shirt, revealing, as she suspected, a nasty bullet wound in his left shoulder. The bleeding had slowed, but the wound looked angry and inflamed, and she was worried it might already be infected.
Sadie sucked in a sharp breath. This was way beyond her capabilities to treat. She wasn’t even sure if the bullet was still embedded in his flesh.
"Saul, this is serious. You need proper medical attention," she insisted, pressing a clean towel against the wound to stem any further bleeding. How long had he been like this?
His eyes snapped open, suddenly alert despite his obvious exhaustion. "No hospitals," he repeated firmly. "I can't risk it. Not yet."
Sadie frowned, torn between her desire to help and the growing certainty that she was getting involved in something far more dangerous than she was comfortable with.
Of course, it was too late for any take backs, so she pressed on. "Okay, I can respect that, but I at least need to contact Doc Blake and Luca.”
Saul shook his head violently, then flinched and groaned, clutching at his shoulder while more dots of perspiration popped out on his forehead. “If he declares a gunshot wound, there’ll be an investigation…”
Sadie glared at him and grabbed her phone. “Yeah? And if he has to report a death, there’ll be an even bigger one. Especially yours!” she told him, dialing Luca’s number as she marched into her bathroom to wet a cloth while she waited for the call to connect.
“No details over the phone!” he called after her. Sadie didn’t know if he was being overly paranoid, but considering he had a gunshot wound, she’d go with it for now. It was fine, she could work with that.
“Sadie? What happened?” Luca asked, sounding immediately alert despite the ungodly hour. He was a no-nonsense businessman, and she was beyond relieved he was close by on the neighboring island with his family.
“Sorry to wake you, Luca, but I need you to come to my place immediately. I’ll explain when you get here.”
“I’m on my way,” he responded without preamble. He knew she wouldn’t be asking unless there was an emergency. “Do I need to bring anyone?”
“Yes, bring Blake with you, please,” Sadie requested. “And send Craig down to the helipad and get him to garage the copter there.”
If Luca had questions, he didn’t ask them.