Private Take Me Home Tonight

[Katarine Ryiah]

Tags: Dean Walker

Katarine could tell that he didn't like the plan but she didn't see much choice in the matter. The captive woman was barely alive and the longer they delayed medical attention the more likely the female was not going to make it. If they both left however there was every chance the copycat upstairs would get away and that meant another woman would eventually be in danger. They had to deal with both situations now and that unfortunately meant splitting up. Kat knew Dean would be safe at the hospital and she wanted him safe. She didn't want him to get hurt because of her investigation.

She assured him she would be safe and watched as he climbed the stairs quietly. She felt an odd twisting sensation in her stomach as she watched him go, and realized it was a desire for him to stay. She wanted to be close to him and his absence was already causing anxiety. That wasn't a good sign for her heart but she would deal with it latter when the fallout inevitably came. She should have learned her lesson by now but it appeared she hadn't.

Making another mental note to slap Valery she headed up the stairs behind Dean, making certain he got out the door safely with the captive. Once he was out of sight she took a deep breath and started towards the kitchen where the rancid smell was still powerfully strong.

 

[Dean Walker]

Dean didn't look back and didn't dare. If he did, if he caught one last glimpse of Kat disappearing into that godsforsaken house alone, he might have done something stupid. Like staying or fighting whatever nightmare was waiting upstairs at her side. But that wasn't the job.

He tightened his grip around the frail woman in his arms, careful not to jostle her too much as he moved. She was barely conscious, her breathing weak against his chest, and that was enough to snap his focus forward. One mission at a time. He needed to get her out, needed to get her help. Then — then, he could get back to Kat.

His boots hit the pavement hard as he stepped outside, the cold night air rushing to meet him. The sharp contrast from the rotting heat of the house was jarring, but he didn't slow. His heart pounded, not from exertion but from urgency. From the gnawing tension in his gut that only grew the further away he got from Kat.

He adjusted his grip again, shifting the woman's weight as he started running. His muscles burned, but he pushed harder, cutting through the darkened streets with only one thought in mind.

Move faster. Get her safe. Get back.

And stars help whatever bastard was waiting inside that house — because the moment Dean got back to Kat's side, he was making damn sure she walked out of there in one piece.

Katarine Ryiah
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