3

Saving Erin.

Chapter three

Jake's point of view

I gently wrap her in my cold suit jacket and pick her up. She's nothing but skin and bones. She doesn't make a sound as I carry her broken and battered body back up to the cabin, running as fast as I can, knowing that time is not on our side.

God only knows how long she's been out here.

Even with the swelling and bruises on her face, she's beautiful with pale porcelain skin and long flowing blonde hair, I whisper softly to her.

"Hey, beautiful lady, you're safe now. No one is going to hurt you now."

"Fuck "

 I curse. Where the hell did she come from? We're in the middle of nowhere, halfway up a mountain in winter. I run as fast as I can up to the cabin bursting through the doors, as I hear Madog shouting for Laila.

"Laila Laila?"

"Fuck Madog, where's the fire, "

She says as she walks out of the bathroom door.

"We found a  woman outside; she's unconscious, and she has a faint pulse."

Tank walks over to us, the shock evident on his face as he says.

"What the fuck, man? We're in the mountains."

I carry her to the main bedroom, my bedroom carefully laying her down on the bed as Laila comes running in behind me, 

"What the Hell?"

She says as she carries her medical bag into the room, the medic in her quickly kicks in as she starts checking her pulse.

She says to me.

"It's very weak, and she's in hypothermic shock. Find any blankets you can Tank. We need to get her warmed up as quickly as we can."

"On it."

Shouts Tank as he makes his way out of the door.

I turn my head away as Laila peels the dirty wet blanket from her battered and bruised body; the gasp Laila makes lets me know that the rest of her body is as bad as her face. 

"I hope there's no internal bleeding '. Get your top off, Jake; we need to warm her up quick; she needs body heat now."

I know through my training this is one of the quickest survival tactics we can use as I quickly strip my top and pants off before lying down next to her, in just my boxers, knowing this is a life or death situation; she's icy cold as I pull her into my body, Laila starts to throw blankets over the top of us as she's working on her vein to get some iv lines into her.

"Fuck I can't get a line in. She's dehydrated."

She mutters but thankfully, after a few attempts, she finally manages to get a line in and starts pumping the life-saving fluids through. I watch as she gives her a shot of adrenaline. Her core temperature is very slow rising. I look at Laila, concerned by the look of worry on her face.

I can feel myself sweating profusely under the thick layer of blankets, desperately hoping this is bringing her temperature up.

Laila curses as she gives her a shot of antibiotics.

"Fucks sake, what the hell is she doing out here in this weather."

I sigh as I reply.

"Running from someone looking at her, how the fuck can someone do this to her? She almost died out there. Fucking animals."

Laila replies with a frown.

"She's not out of the woods yet Jake, although her core temperature is stabilising, you can let her go now.'

I slide my arm out from around her, not really wanting to let her go as I reluctantly get out of the bed. She feels so good in my arms fuck, man, what the hell is up with me? I think to myself silently, hoping nobody noticed. I see Leila with a slight smirk on her face; yeah, she noticed. Still, she doesn't say anything, thank God.

"Right, boys, I'm going to check her over now that her temperature is up."

Laila shouts to us.

"Oh yeah, well, be outside if you need us."

I say before we head into the living area, the three of us still totally gobsmacked at finding her out here.

I turn to Madog and ask him.

"Madog, is all the perimeter secured?"

He turns to look at me, his face serious as he replies

"All backup and running, you think someone's after her?'

I frown as I say.

"Why else is she up here in the winter? No one comes here at this time of year, not unless you're hiding something or running from somebody."

"Tank, get on the radio to the base and get an update on the weather?"

"Yes, boss". 

He nods as he goes into the other room.

I then turn to Madog, clenching my fist as I ask.

"Madog, how are we for weapons?"

Madog laughs as he replies,

"Well, you know me boss enough fuckin weapons to blow up this goddam mountain if needed."

I laugh as I say.

"haha, and that's why they call you Madog."

But I've never been more thankful in my life. Tank comes back into the room looking worried as he says.

"The storm is heading our way, Swifty; we're stuck up here for the time being"

I shrug my shoulders as I reply, knowing there's nothing we can do about the weather. All we can do is keep her safe.

"Okay, let's make sure we're ready for the unexpected, weapons loaded and ready to go, secure all the doors and windows, and we bunker down for the night."

Tank nods his head as he replies.

"Okay, boss."

Maddox makes his way to the windows as he says.

"Got it, bro."

Once we know the cabin is secure, I say to them both.

"I'll take first watch you boys get your head down."

The boys go off to their room, knowing it's going to be a long night. I go to my room and knock on the door, Laila shouts. 

"Come in."

I open the door and walk-in. Leila's sitting on a chair next to the bed as I ask her.

"How's she doing, Laila?"

Laila looks over at our lifeless guest as she speaks.

"She's out cold, but I've pumped her with painkillers." 

She frowns as she carries on…...

"She's really been through it. Jake pretty certain she's broken ribs. She's showing possible signs of sexual abuse or worse. She has bite marks all over her breasts and also on the top of her thighs."

I clench my fists, my heart breaking as I think about what this woman has been through. I swear if I get my hands on them, they'll never walk again.

"fuckin bastards".

I curse as I look down at her. Laila stands up as she says.

"We need to get her down off this mountain, but the storm is closing in tonight."

"Do you think she's gonna make it, Laila?"

I ask; for some reason, I feel drawn to this woman, and the thought of her not pulling through leaves me with a heavy heart. Laila looks over at me as she says. 

"She's a tough little cookie; that's for sure, but I'm hoping she's over the worst. We've just gotta wait for her to wake up now." 

I pull the covers up around her shoulders and make my way to the living area. Laila follows me. I look at her as I say.

"Go and get some sleep, Laila; it might be a long night."

Laila laughs as she says.

"No way, Swifty, we always do watch in pairs. Come on, pour us whiskey and deal the cards, boss."

I laugh even though I'm not feeling the humour. I pour us both a large whisky before checking the security monitors while Laila deals the cards. It's going to be a long-ass night, that's for sure.

I try to play cards, but my mind is filled with images of the beautiful young blonde woman lying in my bed.

She has to pull through!