“Leaving without who?” I ask and wrinkle my brows.
She lifts her chin. A snot bubble forms at her nose. She’s trying to hold it together. That’s clear, but it’s also clear that she’s holding on by a thread.
“I have to go back.”
“Sweetheart, the only thing left back there is death. If whoever you’re looking for is still there, our other team will find her.”
“I’m not your sweetheart. I can’t leave her. I can’t leave them. I have to find them.” She tries to pull away and a yelp tears from her lips. They begin to tremble; more tears flow down her cheeks.
I draw my brows in deeper. My hold isn’t that tight. Releasing the back of her neck, I gently place my hand to her side.
She collapses into me. Any fight she has left goes up in smoke as she passes out. I catch her and hold her close. Looking down, I lift her shirt enough to expose her middle section.
Her torso is bruised. I’ll give my life savings she has broken or bruised ribs. The adrenaline has probably started to wean.
I scoop her fragile body into my arms and start off the truck. Noah reaches for her, but I don’t want to release her to anyone. I look at the jump down and grind my teeth. To jump it would be to jar her.
Instead, I hand her to my brother long enough for me to get out of the truck and on solid ground. As soon as I’m out, I take her back and carry her to the waiting bus. Climbing in with the crowd we rescued, I settle in.
“We’re riding in the SUV,” Wyatt says as he comes from the back of the bus, probably ensuring everyone is secure.
“Yeah, I’m not anymore. I’m fine here.”
He looks like he’s going to protest but thinks better of it. He steps off the bus, tapping the side of the doors to signal the driver to close them and take off. I train my eyes on the face of the woman in my arms. Guilt twists in my stomach. I want to protect her more than I do the woman that was pregnant with my child.
What does that say about me?
As the smell of urine hits my nose, I’m not sure. Yeah, I noticed before I got her out of that truck that she peed herself. And still, I’m not letting her go until I know she’s completely safe.
Roni
We haven’t stopped yet and I haven’t opened my eyes. I’m in pain, but the real reason I won’t open them is because I know I’m in his arms. I don’t think I can handle looking into those golden eyes again.
Especially knowing that I’ve probably soaked his lap with pee. I should be embarrassed, but all I feel is… numb. Something about being in his embrace has calmed the storm inside my head.
I should freak out from not knowing where he and his people are taking me, but I don’t feel that sense of danger. Sort of like when I looked into his eyes.
I do my best to remain stock still. He moves with me in his hold. His warmth surrounds me as he leans into my ear.
“You don’t have to pretend to sleep. I know you’re awake.” His breath fans my temple and raises goosebumps.
It’s a strange feeling I can’t say I’ve ever had before. Kind of like the comfort. It’s foreign to me, but I want more.
“I’m here. I’ll be with you until you’re safe. We’re going to get someone to look at those ribs,” he whispers again when I make no move to open my eyes. “I’m John. No matter what happens, remember my name. You call it, I’ll come.”
The promise in his voice causes the tiny spark of hope I have left to flicker. It’s his words that wrap me like a blanket and allow me to go to sleep.
Chapter 14
Aftershock
Roni
I wince as I make my way to breakfast. These halls are so long, it takes forever to get anywhere. It’s like being at an academy or something. I’ve been calling it the assassin’s academy in my head. I might change that to toy cop academy after sitting in on a few sessions.
Every morning for the last week, I’ve walked these halls from my room, hoping I’ll get a glimpse of him. I refuse to ask anyone for him. He lied.
He said he’d be with me until I was safe. I’m not safe.