"Alexis Morgan - Dark Protector" - читать интересную книгу автора (Morgan Alexis)

Laurel sensed DevlinтАЩs interest in her answer even though he didnтАЩt look in her direction. тАЬHe was
here just before Mr. Bane woke up. He expressed his desire to see my patient released for immediate
return to duty.тАЭ
тАЬAnd you said?тАЭ
тАЬI simply reminded him that it wasnтАЩt his decision to declare Mr. Bane fit for duty; it was mine. I
told Colonel Kincade that I will not sign any releases until I am satisfied that Mr. Bane has no lingering
effects from his latest battle.тАЭ
тАЬAnd when do you expect to make that decision?тАЭ
The stress of the past few days, when her patient had hovered between this world and the next,
had taken a toll on her temper. She glared at both men. тАЬIтАЩd like to know why everyone is suddenly in
such a hurry!тАЭ
Dr. Neal frowned slightly. тАЬIтАЩm sorry, Laurel, but Ordnance will be demanding to know when they
can expect Mr. Bane to report back.тАЭ
тАЬI wonтАЩt know for certain until I complete the follow-up examination in two days.тАЭ Three, if she
could stretch it that far.
тАЬThank you, thatтАЩs better. I will pass that information along.тАЭ He gave her a smile that was meant
to be reassuring. тАЬMr. Bane, I hope I donтАЩt have to see you again for quite some time.тАЭ
тАЬMe, too, Doc.тАЭ Devlin turned his attention back to his food.
When the doors swished shut behind Dr. Neal, Laurel sat down and stared at her computer
screen. Her eyes burned with near exhaustion.
тАЬHow much sleep have you gotten since they brought me in?тАЭ he asked.
 She rolled her shoulders, trying to ease the stiffness, then shrugged without looking in his direction.
тАЬIтАЩd tell you that it was none of your business, but that has never stopped you before. Dr. Neal relieved
me for about four hours each day.тАЭ She leaned forward to rest her forehead on her arms and closed her
eyes.
As he absorbed the meaning behind her answer, Devlin attacked the last of his meal. Judging from
the dark smudges under her eyes, Lauren was close to collapsing.
тАЬDr. Young?тАЭ
No answer.
тАЬLaurel?тАЭ He rarely allowed himself the privilege of using her first name.
No answer.
Finally, he picked her up in his arms and carried her to the cot she kept handy for when she had a
critical patient. She stirred only long enough to find a comfortable spot on the pillow. He picked up the
blanket that heтАЩd dropped earlier and draped it over her, resisting the urge to press a kiss to her
forehead. When he tucked a lock of her dark hair behind her ear, she smiled in her sleep. He felt it just as
if sheтАЩd reached out to touch him.
He backed away. Damn, he needed to get the hell away from her. Even if sheтАЩd die before
admitting it, her interest in him obviously went beyond that of a doctor for her patient. As long as he only
saw her when he was chained down to her table, he could deal with it. He had to. She was the only thing
that kept him anchored in this world, a lifeline who fought long and hard to drag him back from the abyss
that he lived and fought in. He had a horrible suspicion that anyone else would have set him adrift years
ago.
It was time to get out of there. He pressed the button that would summon the guards.
тАЬYes, Dr. Young?тАЭ The disembodied voice was a familiar one.
тАЬNo, itтАЩs Devlin Bane. Sergeant Purefoy, is that you?тАЭ
тАЬYes, sir, Mr. Bane. What do you need?тАЭ
тАЬDr. Young is resting right now, but sheтАЩs signed my release.тАЭ At least, he hoped she had. He
wasnтАЩt about to wait around for her to wake up.
тАЬIтАЩll be right in.тАЭ
No doubt armed to the teeth, with two or three others as backup. Devlin positioned himself in the