Protecting Rose Read Online Free Page B

as the doctor releases you, I’m moving you to a safe place until we can figure things out.”
    She bit her lip. The questions that had tortured her all night spilled out in a rush. “Why am I in the hospital? Do I know you? Do you know why someone wants to hurt me?”
    “Hey, hang on. Slow down.” He placed a finger over her lips. “One question at a time,” he said with a low chuckle.
    She blinked, and stopped talking.
    “All right then. First, you were in a car accident. I saw the accident and pulled you from the car.” He paused and gave her a quick smile. “Question number two. No. I don’t know you. But I promise...I will protect you.”
    Her heart did a funny little flip-flop at his vow of protection. “Do you know why someone wants to hurt me?”
    Nate crossed to the window and looked outside before he turned back to her. “No, I’m afraid I don’t. Not yet. But you should know this isn’t the first attempt on your life.
    “What?” Her voice shook.
    Nate returned to her bed and placed his warm hand over hers. His touch sent a tingle of awareness through her. Confused by her reaction, she snatched her hand away.
    “I’m sorry, but you needed to know.”
    She averted her eyes to shield her emotions from his penetrating appraisal. He had obviously misinterpreted her startled reaction.
    Nate continued. “After I pulled you from the car, someone took a shot at us.”
    She chewed her bottom lip. “I don’t understand why this is happening.”
    “My team is working on it. We’ll figure it out.”
    “Your team? Who exactly are you?”
    “I’m a detective with the Milwaukee Sheriff’s Department. My partner is running down leads to determine your identity. Once we have that information, we should be able to figure out who’s trying to harm you.”
    “The man who died, did he have a family?”
    Nate placed his hand under her chin and tilted it up until her eyes met his determined gaze. “I know it’s tragic, sweetheart. But he was a police officer and knew the risks. What happened is not your fault. Okay?”
    She nodded, although she knew the guilt would live with her forever.
    “Now,”—he brushed his thumb across her damp cheek—“I think we need to give you a name.”
    “Yes, of course...of course,” she repeated. She searched frantically in her mind for a name and came up with...nothing.
    “Hey, don’t fret,” he said with a grin. He retrieved a vibrant red rose from a vase off the ugly white dresser by her bed.
    “Rose,” Nate decided. He took her hand and placed the rose into her bandaged palm. “It suits you.” He lifted a strand of her hair and their eyes locked. “With your long red hair and gorgeous brown eyes, you remind me of a beautiful Rose.”
    She managed to nod as the charged air between them crackled to life with awareness. When Dr. Anderson entered the room a moment later, Nate stepped back and took a seat in the chair by her bed.
    The doctor nodded at Nate. “Officer, I need to talk with the young lady about her condition. Do you need to be present for this?”
    “Yes, with Rose’s permission, of course. I would like to stay.” He gave her a smile of reassurance. “She might remember something that would help with the investigation.”
    Dr. Anderson raised an eyebrow as he studied Rose. “So, you remember who you are?”
    Nate shook his head. “No, she hasn’t remembered. But we decided everyone needs a name. For now, her name is Rose.”
    “Fair enough,” Dr. Anderson said as he picked up her chart. A nurse entered to stand near the doctor.
    “Please, I would like him to stay,” Rose whispered.
    “All right,” Dr. Anderson said with a smile. “First, young lady...I mean, Rose. I need you to understand the trauma you’ve been through. Physically, you are well enough to be discharged. However, you need to know all the details of your injuries before you’re released.”
    Nate watched her with shadowed eyes. A muscle twitched at his jaw and his