She gave him the faintest of smiles and it broke his heart. Her tongue touched her lips. Clearly just moving hurt, but for him, she reached for her voice. “Can I promise that?”

“You can.” He was adamant. Demanding. Arrogant even. “If you give me your word, I know you’ll keep it.”

The helicopter was down, and Eli cradled her as close as possible to keep from jarring her as he ran with her through the clearing to the open field. Her teeth came together and he could see the pain in her eyes, but she didn’t cry out again. She was limp, a rag doll, not holding herself at all, her arms and legs clearly lead, all strength gone.

He pushed down fear as Jake climbed into the helicopter and held out his arms for her. Eli shook his head and made the leap, landing in a crouch, Catarina against his chest. Eli couldn’t take the chance of losing contact with her.

Almost before he was seated, the helicopter was in the air, turning in a wide circle back toward town and the hospital. Jake was on the radio, calling ahead for an operating room and doctors he trusted.

“I know it hurts like fucking hell, Kitten,” Eli whispered, his head bent to hers, his mouth against her ear. “I know you’re suffering and it feels easier to let go. I’m asking you not to. I’m telling you I need you. For me. You have to live, do you hear me, baby? I need you. I don’t want to do this without you.”

He didn’t give a damn if he was baring his soul to her. Hell, it was the raw truth. He couldn’t live without her. He hadn’t been alive until she came into his world. Her laughter had brought him to life. Damn her, she wasn’t going to leave him alone now that she was wrapped so tightly around his heart.

She moistened her lips again. I hear you, Eli, she whispered. Or did she whisper it? Did he hear her soft whisper in his mind? Had he managed to find a way to connect them? If so, he wanted to grab hold with both fists and hold her so close there was no way for her to slip away.

The helicopter landed on the pad on the roof of the hospital. The gurney was waiting, just as Jake had instructed. Eli was reluctant to place her body on it, knowing they would take her from him, but he had no choice. He ran with the gurney, his hand hard around hers, his eyes on hers, demanding. Forcing her compliance.