Under Fire by Jo Davis Read Free Book Online

words affected her. What had happened between them for Zack to forgive?
    She studied her rescuer’s pale face, painfully aware of the faint blip of his heartbeat on the monitor. Fighting for his life.
    The ultimate price of selfless courage.
    This morning, Zack had been a stranger. A nuisance who’d caused her an inconvenience. Now he was a hero.
    No. A man like Zack was a hero every day of his life. She’d just been too blind to notice.
    Oh, God, she had some apologizing of her own to do.
    She only prayed he lived to hear it.
     
    Eyes closed, coat wrapped tightly around her body, Cori huddled in a corner of the ER’s waiting room, trying to stave off an unearthly chill from more than just her wet clothing.
    “She’s so upset,” Eve murmured quietly to her companion in the opposite corner of the room.
    But not quietly enough. Cori knew she should sit up, let them know their conversation wasn’t private, but she was too tired and heartsick to care.
    Salvatore snorted. “You would be, too, if the cops claimed some asshole tried to murder you.”
    Possible attempted murder. The police officer’s stunning, impossible words returned with a vengeance. Made her curl into a tighter ball, wishing she could disappear.
    God help them all if her brother found out.
    “Allegedly. Could’ve been random.”
    “Either way, the deal sucks.”
    “You’re so eloquent, Salvatore.” Cori pictured the woman rolling her eyes.
    Ignoring the gibe, Salvatore sighed. “We should tell her what the doc reported about Zack. No point in her waiting around if she’s not going to get to see him anytime soon.”
    News of Zack roused her to sit up and look around. The other firefighters were haunting the hallway off the waiting room. She blinked at the approaching pair. Their faces were solemn, guarded. Salvatore spoke first.
    “Ms. Shannon—”
    “Cori, please.”
    He nodded. “Cori. I’m Julian. We know you’ve been waiting for word about Zack, so we wanted to let you know what the doctor said. He’s stable, but hasn’t regained consciousness.”
    “He’s got brain activity,” Eve said, trying to sound positive. “We won’t know whether he sustained brain damage or the extent until he wakes up.”
    Their grim expressions mirrored the curl of dread in Cori’s gut. Her rescuer, reduced to a vegetable. The tragic loss didn’t bear consideration.
    “What about his head?” The blow he took to his face wasn’t a concern to be taken lightly.
    “His skull isn’t cracked, but his cheekbone is,” Julian said. “There’s swelling and deep bruising, but that will heal fine. The real threat is a bad case of pneumonia clogging his lungs.”
    “What! How’d he get sick so fast?” A ripple of fear went through her. People of all ages died of pneumonia. But the infection could swiftly overcome a victim of a near drowning.
    Julian ran a hand through his black hair. “Zack was already ill and kept it from everyone.”
    Cori sat up straighter. “Zack could still die.” A conclusion, not a question.
    A flash of pain darkened his eyes. “We’re hoping for the best. He’s on massive doses of antibiotics and being monitored closely. His chances are good.”
    “I know. I’m a nurse . . . or I will be in May. Thanks to your friend.” Her lips trembled and she brushed at an escaped tear, but held it together.
    Julian tried to sound reassuring, bless him. “I’m sure you’ll be a good one, and you’ll get your chance to thank Zack. In the meantime, why don’t you go home and get some rest? You know the drill. He won’t be allowed visitors for a while yet.”
    “No, I’ll wait a bit longer, see if there are any new developments. I appreciate your concern, and for filling me in on his condition.”
    The pair in front of her knew a firm dismissal when they heard one. Cori hadn’t grown up in a house full of stubborn, overbearing brothers to learn nothing.
    Julian’s lips curved into a small smile. “No problem. We—”
    The