Sworn to Protect (Vows of the Heart) by Kathryn Loch Page A

caressed the soft silk of her warm skin and his tears suddenly broke free, streaming down his cheeks. His fingers traveled to her throat and he felt a pulse. Fear still tarnished his relief. She wasn’t dead...at least not yet. Rochelle had lived for two hours before the head wound had killed her.
    “No, Bethany,” he whispered, gently pulling her into his arms. He cradled her tightly to him, his hand caressing her face and hair. He pressed his lips to her forehead, fighting the powerful sobs wrenching through him. No, please, no, this couldn’t be happening.
    She was so beautiful, so full of life, she couldn’t die. He couldn’t have failed her. Not like this. Please God, not like this. He touched his lips to hers, wishing now he had kissed her; that he had not allowed the opportunity to slip past him. Her skin was so soft, her lips perfect.
    “Bethany,” he whispered into her mouth.
    She groaned and kissed him back.
    Ethan’s heart almost stopped. Her hand reached up and wrapped around the back of his neck. Her kiss grew more fervent. He wanted to jerk away to stare down at her in shock , but he was lost in the vibrancy of her kiss. His grief and anguish vanished and his spirit soared. Their tongues tangled and a passion Ethan had never known flamed within him. Her mouth was soft and warm, incredibly responsive to his. Thank God, she would live.
    Wouldn’t she?
    Ethan managed to grab a hold of his raging lust and reluctantly ended the kiss, savoring the taste of her as he lifted his head. She gazed up at him, her eyes glazed and blood oozing from the gash on her forehead.
    “Jesus,” he whispered, his voice husky. “I thought I’d lost you.”
    “I’m too hard-headed to go down that easily,” she replied, but her words sounded slightly slurred.
    Ethan found himself grinning like an idiot. He had to pull his wits together. He checked her head. “Damn,” he muttered. “I think you have a concussion. I’ve got to get you to a hospital.”
    “No,” she said hoarsely. “It’s too dangerous.”
    “Don’t argue with me. Can you sit up a little?”
    “Yeah.”
    He eased her up and braced her against the wall. Remembering how quickly the cleaners had arrived at the motel, Ethan knew he had to move fast. He reloaded his Colt with the last clip he carried and picked up the ejected one. He checked Holly and Jefferies , but they were both dead. Ethan took their guns, standard issue Glock .40’s, and their remaining clips. He knew he would need the firepower.
    “Here,” Bethany said, holding out the keys with a trembling hand. “I’m afraid I didn’t make it to the car.”
    “It’s okay, sweetheart,” Ethan said and took the keys. Then he vanished into her room, grabbing a pillow, a blanket, and the bags containing the clothing Holly had promised them. He carried the load out to the car, watching for approaching vehicles or men stationed as backup.
    No one appeared and he opened the trunk of the Charger. He would have to put Bethany in the back seat. But an idea occurred when he spotted the exact same model of car parked under the carport. Returning quickly, he found the keys in Jefferies pocket and darted back out. In the trunk , Ethan discovered a shotgun with plenty of ammo, more clips for the Glocks, a first aid kit, and two Kevlar vests.
    “Now that’s more like it,” he said and put the items in the trunk of his Charger. Again, Ethan hurried back to the house. He lifted Bethany, his left arm screamed at bearing her weight , but he managed to carry her out. Ethan helped her into the backseat. She crawled in and arranged the pillow so her head was on the passenger side of the car.
    He closed the door then sat in the driver’s seat. “Try to stay awake, sweetheart. I’m taking you to a hospital.”
    “Ethan, I’m fine.”
    He turned in his seat and seized her hand. “Bethany, please, not long ago I saw someone die from a head injury. I’m not going watch the same thing happen to