Read Dead Heat for Free Online

ICU. He pushed the button and waited to identify himself.
    “Okay, but only because I agree with you. Why did you tell Kenna?”
    “She was strong enough to handle it. Shoulder shots hurt like a bitch, but they aren’t fatal." He spoke into the intercom once it was picked up, "Cole Parker of the FBI here to see Danielle De Luca.” The doors opened and they walked through into the ICU.
    The ICU was very different from the ER. Lights were dimmed as much as possible. No radios or televisions cranked up. Nurses spoke in hushed tones. No doctors shouting out orders. A security guard approached Cole with his hand on his weapon.
    “ID please.”
    “Sure thing.” Cole handed him his badge and waited.
    “Thank you.”
    “No problem. You got up here fast. Is anyone going to McKenna Ashton’s room?”
    “Yes. A guard will be there shortly. He’ll lap the ER as to not draw attention, but will look into Mrs. Ashton’s room every five minutes.”
    “Great. Thank you.” Cole looked around the room and then pointed to the far side. “Come on, sweetheart, she’s right over there.”
    Paige chose to ignore that her heart fluttered when Cole called her sweetheart. She simply wrote it off as a byproduct of anger. But when Cole slipped his hand back into hers and absently started rubbing his thumb over her knuckles, she couldn’t think of any reason to write off the somersaults her stomach was doing.
     
    The sliding glass door was partially closed and the curtain behind it was drawn. Cole knocked quietly on the glass door and waited for the curtain to be pushed aside. Mary De Luca’s sharp blue eyes peered around and then softened when she saw Cole and Paige.
    “I am so glad you are here. Danielle is demanding information on Kenna and we just don’t know the answers. We actually thought you would be the security Ahmed is sending over.” Mary pulled the curtain back and allowed them to squeeze in. It was going to be a tight fit.
    Paige looked around the dim room and saw Mo sitting similarly to Will, right next to the bed and holding onto Dani’s hand as if he expected her to run away. Dani’s father sat at the foot of the bed, clearly thinking he was going to protect her from anyone who didn’t belong. Mary went around the bed and took a seat on Dani’s other side and smiled at them. Dani was propped up slightly and looked so pale she could blend in with the hospital sheets. A plastic tube extended from her left side and connected to a machine. It looked like Mary had tried her best to wash the blood off and braid her long dark brown hair.
    “Paige! How is Kenna? Mo told me she was stable, but we haven’t gotten any new updates since then.” Cole turned his body sideways so she could slide past him. She turned her body sideways and squeezed all the way into the room. She was very aware of every inch of Cole’s body pressed against her back.
    “She’s doing great. We just came from seeing her. Her shoulder wound will heal in a couple of months with the help of physical therapy. Did Mo tell you the big news?”
    “Big news?” Dani’s brow knit slightly as she thought about it. “No, I don’t think so.”
    “Kenna and Will are going to have a baby!”
    “No way!’
    “Yup. She’s eight weeks along and the baby has a strong heartbeat and is doing fine.” Dani grinned at the group and then turned and gave ‘the look’ to Mo.
    “And why didn’t you tell me?”
    “I sorta forgot. I was so worried about you that it went right out of my mind. I am sorry, honey.”
    “I can’t stay mad at you for that. But, I want more updates, even if you have to bribe the nurses.” Dani yawned and Paige saw her eyes start to drift shut. Cole cleared his throat and her eyes snapped back open.
    “I am sorry, Danielle, but I have some questions for you. Then we’ll leave you to get some rest. Do you mind?” Cole gently asked.
    “Of course not. Do you know who did this?”
    “Not yet. But we’re looking into a lead.”