Emily looked a little surprised for a second, but her face quickly hardened as she took care of the rest without a word.
When she handed the gun back to Clara, Clara just took it and gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
“Don’t forget to find Ryan when you get to the Capital.”
“Got it.”
This time, Emily’s answer was firmer, full of resolve.
Clara turned to Charles, a faint smile on her lips. “We’re heading out.”
Charles nodded, called for Milo and Buddy, and the two of them—dogs in tow—made their way toward the helicopter.
Charles was humming, hands behind his head, a piece of grass between his teeth.
Clara shot him a sideways look. “Why are you in such a good mood?”
He grinned, eyes bright. “Why wouldn’t I be? I’m usually out there doing all the dirty work by myself—no backup, no one to watch my back. Turns out you’re amazing. Maybe we can team up more often?”
Clara smiled, about to agree, but something flashed through her mind. She stopped in her tracks, distracted.
Charles was still humming when he noticed she’d stopped. He frowned. “What’s up?”
But before she could answer, Clara clutched her chest, her face going pale. “It’s nothing, maybe just—”
She didn’t finish. Charles rushed over to steady her, but she collapsed, unconscious.
Panic shot through him. “Clara!”
He scooped her up and got her into the helicopter as fast as he could, heading straight for the Capital.
Hospitals weren’t his thing, so he went straight to Palm Bay and carried her inside, bursting into the foyer.
“Where’s your doctor? Somebody get a doctor, now!”
Palm Bay was Dylan’s place—wasn’t Dylan his brother-in-law?
He kept shouting, but the staff just kept their distance, eyeing him warily, obviously not recognizing him.
Charles realized what was going on and quickly set Clara down on the sofa. “Why are you all just standing around? She’s married to Dylan, right? That makes her your lady of the house. Get a doctor—now. If anything happens to her, I’ll let Milo tear you apart!”
Finally, one of the staff recognized Clara and immediately dialed Dylan.
Actually, Dylan had already gotten word ten minutes ago that the special helicopter was back at Palm Bay.
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