Free Pure Dynamite by Lauren Bach

you get that through your thick head? That doesn't change, damn it!"
    Adam wondered if she even realized she swore. Her bottom lip quivered as she struggled to contain her emotions, her distress palpable. He could imagine what was going through her mind knew she feared the worst. He wished he could offer assurance.
    He pinched the bridge of his nose. Lyle's condition needed close monitoring. Adam knew basic first aid— field stuff. Lyle's wound was beyond that.
    There was also the question of crossing Lyle's brother this early in the game. While Adam had no intention of playing patsy, he needed to gain Nevin's trust. If Adam took Renata along for just a short time and then set her free, it would appear he'd attempted to comply with Nevin's decree.
    Mind made up, he drained his coffee cup, refilled it. "Where do you keep your medical supplies?"
    "There's a closet in the hall."
    "Show me."
    Inside the supply closet, he grabbed an empty cardboard box. He scanned the shelves, pulling out unopened packages. Basic provisions: gauze, tape, peroxide, a thermometer, blood pressure cuff. He grabbed one of the green scrub suits for Lyle to wear, then turned to her.
    "What else will we need? Think worst-case scenario because you won't have access to more once we're on the road."
    "I am not going with you."
    "We've established that you don't want to. But you will. Now either help me or be stuck with whatever I've got here."
    Renata slowly unfolded her arms. Arguing with the man was futile. There was no reasoning with the unreasonable. She'd have to wait for the right opportunity and make a move.
    She shot him a dirty look then checked the supplies he'd taken.
    "You've got enough gauze for a small army. How long will I be held? Or are you anticipating more casualties?"
    "Worst case, remember?"
    She scanned the contents again, then added a box of latex gloves, bags of antibiotics, and suture kits. "There's IV kits and tubing to your left. Grab them. We'll need a case of saline, too." She reached for a general-purpose first aid kit.
    Adam surveyed the box. "That's it?"
    "Short of splints, we have a little of everything. If he's not showing marked improvement within forty- eight hours, nothing I've got here will keep him alive."
    That wasn't exactly the truth. Problems like infection or blood clots could still show up a week from now. And there was an entire universe of potential complications, particularly since she didn't know if bullet fragments had caused any internal damage. A miniscule nick on his intestine could slowly leak poison into his system. In a truly worst-case scenario, nothing in the box would replace a surgeon and trauma facility.
    A knock echoed from the front door. That quick, Adam hauled Renata back against his chest. His hand covered her mouth as the knocking repeated louder.
    "Dr. Curtis? You in there?"
    "Is that the security guard who was here earlier?" Adam whispered.
    She nodded.
    Lyle's voice drifted down the hall. "Adam! What the hell's going on?"
    Renata felt the hard press of his gun against her ribs as they hurried to the doorway of the exam room. Adam motioned for Lyle to remain quiet, then pushed her to the lobby, his hand still covering her mouth.
    "You need to get rid of him. Fast. Without arousing suspicion." Stepping behind the door, he pointed the gun at it. If he fired, he'd hit Clarence. "Think about his well-being."
    She nodded and cracked the door. His hand dropped to her elbow, out of sight, but still controlling her. The security chain seemed to mock her. Clarence stood outside.
    In spite of the lump in her throat, she tried to smile. She'd worked with Clarence for almost two years, had met his family at the annual Christmas party. He had three kids. Right now she felt responsible for them.
    "Yes?"
    "Sorry to bother you, Doctor Curtis." Clarence shook his head. "We got a couple convicts on the loose. Thought I'd check on you."
    She forced a neutral look to her face. "I saw the news earlier. Is there