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toward the floor. She caught him before he fell. "What's the matter with you?" |
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"My chest. Hurts like hell. Shouldn't have run all the way up here. But I had to make sure" He broke off on a groan of pain, and his eyes fluttered shut. |
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Chris and Danny came through the door at a run. They saw the situation at once. Chris pulled D.J. away from her father while Dan knelt next to the fallen man. |
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D.J. fought against Christian's hold. "No. He can't die now. Not when I understand at last what he suffered all these years. I have to talk to him." |
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"I know, honey. I know. Just let Dan look at him." |
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Having Chris's arms around her helped, more than she'd ever dreamed a human touch could soothe. She watched as Dan worked over her father. The sheriff and two deputies entered the room and removed Rich, but D.J. barely noticed. She would have to fulfill her threat to Rich another time. Once her father was better they'd both go and stare at Rich through the bars of his prison cell. She held on to that dream. |
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Dan looked up. His eyes met Christian's, and he gave a little shake of his head. D.J. knew what that shake meant, and a sob escaped her throat. |
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"Help me get him onto the bed, Chris. All I can do is make him comfortable." |
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Chris hugged D.J., a quick pull and release that she leaned into and savored. When he moved away to help Danny the loss of his warmth returned the frightening chill. D.J. wrapped her arms around |
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