Bleeding Edge: Elliot Security (Elliot Security Series Book 2) by Evie Mitchell (books to read for beginners TXT) 📕

doctors had taken one look at her injuries and immediately taken her to surgery. A nurse directed me to the bathroom to clean while I waited for a change of clothes. Blood soaked my shirt and jeans, drying on my hands.

I washed, gritting my teeth as I struggled against the adrenaline coursing through my veins. The muscles in my body were tense, readying for another attack.

Breathe. Calm. Find your centre.

Years of training, therapy, and discipline kicked in. I prioritised what I needed to know.

I drew my phone, hitting speed dial. Jarrett answered.

“Who’s Emmie’s next of kin?” I didn’t bother with pleasantries, knowing Jarrett would have already called this in to the office.

“You and Addie.”

Fuck. I knew it.

“Her family?”

A pause, the sound of a phone being passed, then Kel’s voice.

“We don’t know.”

“She never told you?”

“She barely speaks about her day, let alone her past.”

I ran wet hands through my hair, sucking in a breath between clenched teeth.

“Luc?”

“Allergies?” I asked, knowing it would be in her personnel file.

“Nothing. Her file said she had a broken arm in ’96 and that’s it.”

I dropped my arm. “Okay. Got it.”

A nurse hovered by the toilet as I exited. “Mr Falco? I need you to fill out the admittance form. Is there anything I need to let the surgeons know about Ms Franklin? Allergies, illnesses?”

“No. Emmie’s in perfect health.”

She nodded. “I know this is hard, but is there anyone we should notify?”

“No. Emmie’s–” I choked on the words. I didn’t know if she was an orphan, estranged from her family. I didn’t know jackshit about the woman I worked with.

“No,” I finally said. “It’s just me.”

She nodded again, stepping close to place a comforting hand on my arm. “I need to get in and let the surgeons know. There’s a waiting room just down the hall. You’re probably in shock. I’d really recommend calling someone.”

“They’re on their way.”

“Do you need–”

“No,” I interrupted her. “Sorry. Just, go look after my girl.”

She hesitated, then nodded. “I’ll be back with news as soon as I can.”

I walked to the waiting room, taking a seat on the hard plastic.

“Fuck.” I blew out a breath. “Who the fuck are you, Emmie Franklin?”

Chapter Five

Emmie

Black. Black with little pinpricks of swirling light.

I wanted to stay here. Here in the dark with the pretty dancing specks. Here where it was warm and safe, and there was no pain.

“Emmie?”

My eyelids fluttered, valiantly struggling against the rough edge of unconsciousness. I felt groggy, sore, disconnected from my body. My head spun, nausea overwhelming.

My eyelids, I decided, were much too heavy to lift.

“Mr Falco? She’s resting. It’s doubtful she’ll wake until tomorrow.”

Luc’s here?

I struggled and won the battle to open my eyes, immediately shutting them tight against the dim lights of the room. I huffed out a pain-filled breath.

“Em?”

I grunted, my throat bone dry.

“Emmie? Come on, beautiful,” he coaxed.

I opened my eyes again and rapidly blinked as everything slowly came into focus. I squinted, absently taking in the space.

White walls and roof. Tubes, switches, and cords decorated my bedding. I shivered uncontrollably, distantly registering that everything hurt.

Cold. Why am I so cold? Why do I hurt so much?

“Hey.” Luc reached out a hand and brushed my hair off my cheek. “It’s good to see those green eyes.” He smiled.

I croaked out a word. “Water.”

He looked to the nurse standing on the other side of my bed. She’d placed a pressure cuff on my bicep, watching as it tracked my blood pressure. “Can she have some water?”

The nurse made a note on my chart before removing the cuff. “I’ll ask her doctor after I finish checking Ms Franklin.”

She looked down at me, pulling a small pen light from her tool belt and using it to shine in my eyes. “Emmie, my name is Sylvia. Do you remember what happened?”

I grimaced. “Some bastard shot me.”

Luc barked out a laugh.

“Do you know what day it is?”

I answered questions finding myself both lucid and confused in equal measures.

The nurse made a final note on my chart before sliding it back into the pigeon hole at the end of my bed. “I’ll just check with the doctor and be right back.”

“Are you staying?” I clung to Luc’s hand, my grip weak and clammy.

He nodded, his eyes warm. “Of course.”

I closed my eyes. “Good.”

As I drifted back to unconsciousness, I heard him mutter, “What are boyfriends for?”

Chapter Six

Emmie

I woke throughout the day, pain overruling my body’s need to sleep. I had external screws stabilising my leg to prevent further stress. They alternately elevated or lowered my leg depending on the hour and level of swelling. Stitches criss-crossed my thigh. It felt as if daggers were grinding into the bone. Morphine became my saviour.

Luc stayed. Anytime I woke crying in pain, he was there, stroking my hair, wiping away my tears.

The doctor came later that day. Words like internal bleeding, operation, infection, and fractures were uttered as I struggled against the seductive pull of sleep. I was too drugged and in too much pain to comprehend much of what was agreed. Still, Luc stayed.

Pax and Jetta arrived mid-morning, their visit over before I could properly wake.

And so, the day went, sleep, pain meds, nurses and doctors and bandages. And always there was Luc.

Early evening Jarrett arrived. He took one look at me, burst into tears, then spent ten minutes convincing Luc to go home and rest.

Luc finally gave in. He’d bent, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “Two hours. I’ll just grab a shower and some clothes.”

“Go sleep,” I whispered, blinking slowly my eyelids heavy.

As soon as he’d walked out the door Jarrett turned, sending me a look.

“Em.” Raised eyebrows punctuated his statement.

“What?” I mumbled, lifting a hand to rub my nose. The tubes for my IV caught on the bed frame. Jarrett tutted, reaching over to untangle them.

“This is a simple question, baby girl. Where’s your family?”

I lifted one shoulder in a shrug, groaning as my side protested. My face screwed up as I fought for breath, focussing on