Read Online Sniper Fire (Love in the Crosshairs) by Kathy Lane - Free Book Online Page A

Kyle’s leg. “You don’t think I know he needs more help than I can give him? That limb has to be kept as stable as possible so better qualified surgeons can fix it. Bouncing him all over the place on a flimsy stretcher is not what I call keeping it stable.”
    “It will have to be enough.”
    “No, it won’t. I can take you all in a vehicle.”
    His expression hardened into one she rarely saw. This was the soldier he’d become. Not just her friend, but a man trained in the art of war. “No, absolutely not. You’ve done enough. If Kyle’s life wasn’t on the line, we wouldn’t even be here. Fourteen hours and we’re gone. The sooner we leave you alone, the less danger you’ll be in.”
    The coldness in his voice made her want to back down, but she couldn’t do that. Like he said, Kyle’s life was on the line. “Stop being so stubborn, Joshua. I won’t be in any danger. We can go out through the tunnel to the garage without anyone seeing us. I can transport you all in the clinic’s ambulance. It’ll be tight, but the ambulance is a converted van, so everyone should fit.” He opened his mouth and she rushed on to cut him off. “If we turn the emergency lights on, everyone will think twice about stopping us. You won’t have to hide from the military or the police, and Kyle will get a smooth ride.” She saw his jaw tighten, could almost hear his teeth grinding together. Joshua had always hated giving in to anyone.
    Finally, he blew out a long breath, one hand coming up to rub across his face. “There’d be more room if you stayed here.”
    Farrah crossed her arms, letting him see her determination. “I can’t. Physician’s oath, remember? Kyle’s my patient. He’s my responsibility until another doctor takes over his care. Will there be a doctor on the helicopter that picks you up?”
    Joshua nodded. “They know he’s critical, so yes, they’ll send a doc. Gage can watch him between here and there.”
    “From what I’ve seen, Gage is a great medic, but he’s not a surgeon.” She glanced at the blond-haired soldier standing by the door, munching on a sweet roll. “No offence intended.”
    “None taken ma’am. I know my limitations.” His sharp blue eyes looked over her head at Joshua. “That artery blows, I won’t be able to fix it, boss. Stitch could, but he’s out of commission.”
    A long moment of silence passed. “Fine.” Joshua glared down at her. “Just so you know, if there’s so much as a hint of hostiles within a mile of P3, me and the guys are gone. We’ll finish on foot and you’ll get yourself back here in one piece.”
    “But—”
    “No buts, Farrah.” He pointed a finger at Kyle’s sleeping figure. “I’m going to catch hell from him for involving you as it is. You get hurt in this, and I won’t have to worry about having a retirement plan. That man will gut me in my sleep, and I wouldn’t blame him a damn bit.”
    “That’s a bit dramatic, don’t you think?”
    “But true. So you’ll do what I tell you when I tell you, for both our sakes. Agreed?”
    Farrah held his dark gaze for several seconds, but knew she’d already lost on this point. “Agreed,” she said finally. Even though she didn’t agree at all. The idea of these men carrying Kyle over rough ground—while possibly dodging bullets—scared her to death. Too much could go wrong. A stitch could slip or a weak part of the damaged artery give way. A bone splinter could shift a millimeter too far, causing more damage. Worse, a blood clot could develop, shooting straight to Kyle’s heart or lung, snuffing out his life before she, or anyone else, could do a darn thing.
    No, if she had her way, Kyle Fagan wouldn’t be going anywhere any time soon.
    ****
    Farrah dozed, her head resting on the edge of Kyle’s stretcher, when the creaking of the stairs drew her eyes open. The first thing she saw was Joshua and one of his men, deep in a whispered conversation. From the look on their faces,