Chances Are - By Christy Reece Page 0,42
took the steaming cup, liberally added several spoonfuls of sugar and headed back to the couch where Angela lay, unmoving.
He set the cup on the coffee table and then pulled her to sit up. Propping her against his shoulder, he grabbed the cup and held it in front of her, allowing the steam to coat her face. “Take a sip.”
Her lips parted and Jake held the rim of the cup to her mouth and tilted it slightly. When he heard her swallow, the tension in his muscles loosened. At least she was responding to his verbal commands. Now to get the hot soothing liquid and sugar boost flowing in her veins and hopefully get her talking.
They sat silently for a minute or more. The only sounds came from Angela’s sipping and swallowing the hot beverage. He was glad to see color was returning to her face and the glassy look disappear from her eyes.
Noting the tea was almost gone, Jake lowered the cup. He was about to ask her if she wanted more when she expelled a gargantuan sigh. Her gaze locked on the cup he still held in his hand, she spoke softly, “For most of my adult life, I’ve wanted to be an LCR operative. I used to dream about rescuing people and how wonderful that must feel. The thrill of taking down bad guys, the satisfaction that came from saving victims… It’s been my dream for so long. And now…”
Jake frowned. “And now, what?”
She snorted softly. “And now it’s apparent that I’m not cut out for it.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. LCR operatives get scared just like everyone else. It was your first time. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”
Sad beyond measure, Angela shook her head. She appreciated Jake’s words, especially since he hadn’t wanted her on this job in the first place, but she now knew the truth. The smallest of scares and she’d folded like a defective chair. And that was how she felt—defective. She hadn’t been able to function or think straight. If the skateboarder had been the killer, she would have shrieked like a banshee and probably gotten herself and even Jake killed.
The throbbing pain in her hand was nothing compared to the dull ache in her heart. It had taken only seconds for her dreams to be demolished.
“We need to get you to a hospital and have your hand checked out. Does it hurt?”
“A little…not much.”
“Think you can manage to get to the car on your own?”
“Yes, but where are you going?”
“With you but we can’t be seen together. We can’t blow our cover.”
Angela shook her head. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I’m off the op.”
The man beside her jerked as though he’d been burned. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“I’m not an active field operative anymore. I’m going back to my job as a researcher, that is, if Noah isn’t too pissed at me.”
When Jake pulled completely away from her and stood, Angela felt cold and lifeless as if he’d taken all the warmth and vitality with him. For several silent seconds he stood, looking down at her. Ashamed of her cowardice, she didn’t raise her head.
“We’ll discuss this later. Your hand is swelling rapidly. Let’s go.”
She had disappointed him—it was in his voice. She didn’t blame him. There was no one more disappointed in her than she was in herself. Of all the scenarios she had envisioned about her first op, this hadn’t been on her radar. Who would have thought something as innocuous as a kid on a skateboard could destroy her dream?
Feeling like a tired, lifeless creature, Angela grabbed her purse and went out the door, Jake following closely behind her. They had broken their cover—her part in the op was officially over. And now all she felt was empty and sad, much like she had when she lost her family. Jake, the man she loved and admired, walked by her side but never had she felt more bereft and alone.
Chapter Twelve
Jake had felt helpless plenty of times in his life, but he usually had a clue how to fix things. Not this time.
The instant they’d gotten into the car, Angela had phoned McCall. The conversation had been short and one-sided. She had been calm but resolute as she told him she was no longer on the job.
The emotionless way she’d announced her decision must have stunned McCall. At the hospital, once the nurse had taken Angela into an exam room, Jake had called his boss. McCall’s “What the hell