Chapter 33 The Price of Protection "She's awake?" Finn's tone was sharp. His attitude toward Natalie was far from friendly-after all, if not for her, Baron wouldn't still be unconscious. Natalie hadn't gotten out of bed, but she could clearly feel Finn's hostility. Her fingers tightened around the edge of the mattress. Yvonne let out a quiet breath when she saw it was Finn. "Finn, Ms. Summers is awake. Her heart rate and vitals all look stable. But you came in without sterile gear -if Ms. Summers gets infected, Mr. Gunn won't be happy." "Shut it. Mr.
Gunn can't blame anyone while he's still unconscious. There's an attack happening outside. Keep her safe. If necessary, move her to the underground facility." Finn cast Natalie a look of disdain. "That scarred-up freak... I don't know what Mr. Gunn even sees in her." "Finn!" Yvonne frowned, clearly disapproving, but didn't dare argue back too loudly. Finn sneered. "Your sister died in Ocean City because of her, and you still treat her like she's worth something. What kind of spell does this woman have on you and Mr. Gunn?" Suddenly, the sound of gunfire echoed from outside. Natalie stiffened.
What was happening? Why had Yvonne's sister died because of her? And... was that really gunfire? Natalie had spent her life in a peaceful country. She'd never imagined she'd be caught up in something this terrifying. No-she had, once. When she was ten, she'd traveled abroad with Mrs. Xie and had been caught in a terrorist attack. She'd nearly died that day. But because of a little boy, she had survived. The two of them had gotten separated afterward, and she never saw him again. The distant memory had resurfaced all at once-along with the paralyzing fear that came with it.
1/3 Natalie looked at Yvonne, her voice tight. "Yvonne... what happened to your sister?" "Ms. Summers, I'll explain later. For now, let me get you to the underground safe room." Yvonne began packing things quickly. Natalie asked urgently, "What about Baron?" That man had risked his life for her-just because of a single night they shared. She owed him far more than she could ever repay. He was still unconscious. If the attackers got inside, would he be in danger? The helplessness crushed her. She couldn't do anything. It made her want to cry.
Yvonne didn't stop packing, answering quickly as she worked. "Mr. Gunn is still unconscious. Finn and Shauna are handling everything for now. But knowing how cautious they are, I'm sure they'll move him to the underground facility too." Natalie finally let out a shaky breath. The gunfire outside grew louder. There was nothing she could do but let Yvonne wheel her into the hidden elevator. It dropped rapidly, and with a soft ding, the doors slid open. Bright light flooded the room ahead. Inside was a space outfitted like a top-level medical center.
Doctors in white coats moved around efficiently. Medical equipment lined the walls, and there was a sealed lab nearby. No one seemed surprised to see Yvonne arrive. Natalie was pushed inside. Immediately, she saw the hospital bed to the side-and Baron lying in it. This was nothing like the man she remembered. His face was pale, utterly drained of color. He looked thinner. His eye sockets had sunken slightly. His eyebrows and hair were scorched and uneven from the fire. His wrists still showed visible burns. The man who used to flirt so easily was now lying silently in bed, barely alive.
Something in Natalie's chest twisted. Her eyes stung. What was it about her that made this man-someone she'd only spent one night with-so willing to risk everything for her? 2/3 "Baron..." Her voice was raspy, barely above a whisper. But Baron didn't respond. Yvonne spoke softly. "Mr. Gunn found out you were in danger, and even though he was already physically drained, he forced himself to act. He took a drug that hasn't been fully developed yet. It gave him a temporary boost in strength and clarity-but the side effects are severe. After he got you out, he collapsed.
He's been unconscious for two days now. All the researchers here are our people. They're working on a way to counter the effects of the drug. But if they can't find a solution, there's no telling when-or if-Mr. Gunn will wake up." Natalie felt a deeper ache settle in her chest. "Is there anything I can do?" "Ms. Summers, the best thing you can do right now is take care of yourself. Wait for Mr. Gunn to wake Leave the rest to us." Yvonne meant it kindly, but the words made Natalie feel worse. Baron had done so much for her. But now, when he was lying on the edge of life and death...
she couldn't do a damn thing to help. 3/3