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A low moan escaped Devlyn s chest. I need to get there.
Dev, an ambulance is on the way. ETA two more minutes, tops. She d be gone by the time we got
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there.
Devlyn closed her eyes, her entire body shaking. Where is she? she asked in a remarkably calm voice,
her mind s eye still focusing on the television image. This can t be happening again, her mind screamed. It
can t!
On the corner of 6thand A Street North East. That s about three miles from here.
Dev shot to her feet and bolted for the door.
* * *
Lauren opened her eyes to the sound of sirens in the distance. Dazed, she blinked a few times, realizing
that she was lying sideways, nearly on top of Carol, who was moaning.
What ? She shook her head, wondering what was wrong with her vision and what was stinging her
eyes. She instantly regretted the motion and cried out softly, her head throbbing.
Lauren? Carol s shaky voice asked.
I think so, Lauren whispered, her hands moving to unhook the car s safety restraint system. Her
fingers fumbled for a few seconds until she was able to release herself.
Is everyone all right back there? one of the agents asked, his attention quickly turning to his fellow
agent, who was slumped forward in the driver s seat, apparently unconscious.
Yes, Carol whimpered.
Ms. Strayer? Talk to me, ma am.
Oh, God, Carol gasped. She s bleeding.
Lauren wiped at her eyes, the metallic scent of warm blood filling her nostrils. Suddenly the sedan began
to close in on her and she began to panic. Her entire body ached and things kept going in and out of
focus. She felt as though she was swimming through thick pea soup.
Stay in the car, ma am, the agent ordered, as he drew his gun with one hand and, with the other, tried
to rouse the driver. Alert eyes scanned the interior and exterior of the car.
I can t, Lauren hissed, her heart beating so fast she was sure it would burst in her chest. She tasted
blood and her stomach roiled as she reached for the far door. I
Stay !
But Carol had had enough as well; she pushed past Lauren s hand and opened the door. She scrambled
out and fell onto the asphalt with Lauren right behind her.
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The street felt hot against Lauren s palms, but she didn t feel the gravel digging into her skin. Bracing
herself with her hands against her knees, she stood and started to realize what had happened. When she
was upright and swaying precariously, she reached for her face and eyes again, this time looking at her
fingers, which came away stained liberally with the sticky blood that was flowing from a gash on her
forehead.
She saw stars and her knees gave way just as several Secret Service agents came running and screamed
at her to get down.
* * *
Devlyn! David ran after her, having trouble keeping up with her even though she was wearing a skirt
and low heels. Wait, Dev! he tried again.
She ran up to Jane s desk and jerked the phone from her secretary s hand. Give me your car keys!
Compassion shone in Jane s eyes. Dev, honey
Dev s face contorted in rage. Never had she been so furious that she had no personal means of
transportation. God dammit, I said give them to me!
With wide eyes, Liza cleared the area around Jane s desk, ushering away anyone who could hear or see
Devlyn in this all-out panic.
Panting, David put himself between Dev and Jane. You can t go to her.
Bullshit. I can t! Dev barely kept herself from striking him.
He s right, Dev.
The President turned to see Vice President Vincent shouldering his way past a very harried Liza. We
don t know if this was a true accident or an attempt to get you out of the White House with less than
normal security.
Dev s hands shaped quivering fists. I don t care.
Geoff s tone softened. I know you don t. He put a comforting hand on her shaking shoulder. But I
have to.
Geoff, she whispered, tears blinding her. I have to get to her. I
David s phone rang and everyone held their breath as he answered it. With a curt reply, he snapped the
phone shut. Lauren and the agent who was driving are on their way to George Washington University
Hospital . There s no in-depth medical assessment yet, but we do know that she s unconscious, her vitals
are stable, and they re treating her for a head wound.
Dev nodded weakly and commanded her legs to move. All she could think of was going to the hospital
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after Samantha s crash; the look of hopelessness on the doctors faces; their words of apology and pity
that barely registered as the unthinkable actually happened. She closed her eyes and willed herself not to
fall apart at the seams.
Not yet.
Let s go, she ordered, making it crystal clear that no one on earth could stop her.
* * *
Word had leaked out about the facility s famous patient. Devlyn, David, and bevy of Secret Service
agents bypassed the writhing hoard of reporters camped around the hospital and filling its hallways to the
brim by using a staff-only entrance used by physicians in the private, underground parking lot.
The hallway was poorly lit with lurid fluorescent lights and the walls were slightly dingy, despite this being
a state-of-the-art facility. They were forced to ascend the narrow staircase two at a time, and Devlyn
could hear the Senior-Agent-In-Charge cursing under his breath in front of her. No one had told them
about this, and it clearly wasn t to her security s liking.
She drew in a deep breath as she bounded up the steps, literally pushing on the backs of the men in front
of her so that they would move faster. Dev winced when she caught a whiff of the bleach and the
standard medicinal odor found in all hospitals. The air was muggy, giving the impression that a large
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