surprise. Letting out a deep breath, he added, “I need to know that you’re okay. And you need to let me.” He held his breath for a second, wondering if she was going to argue. She simply nodded, and he breathed a little easier.
His phone vibrated, and he pulled it out, seeing a one-word message from Floyd. Here. A few seconds later, there was a knock on the door. He flung it open, stepping back to allow the agent to enter.
With no preamble, he held out Josie’s phone and said, “This just came in.”
Floyd’s calm demeanor fled as his eyes flashed. “Goddammit,” he growled. His gaze jerked back up to Cobb’s and then over to Josie sitting on the couch. He reiterated,” Josie’s phone?”
Nodding, Cobb said, “Yeah. She got to it before I did. And the accompanying message.”
Floyd’s gaze dropped to the phone screen again, his jaw tightening.
“We've run out of time. Whoever this is, they’re escalating.”
“Have you talked to your people?”
“I should get a call any moment. I told them I was bringing you in.” Cobb twisted his head around and looked toward the sofa, seeing Josie's gaze pinned on him. He moved over to her, sitting on the coffee table, his legs spread so that his knees bordered hers. And leaning forward, with her hands now in his, he tried to offer his body as a comforting shelter. “Josie, I know you want to hear what's going on. And I swear, I don't want to keep you in the dark. But I need to know that you're safe. Not just physically, but emotionally. I'm not sure I can do that with you sitting here in the room. I'm going to be watching every word I say, and every word that anyone else is saying.”
She held his gaze for a moment, then nodded slowly. “I don't like the idea of hiding out in my bedroom, Jorge. But I don't want to hamper you, either.”
“How about we run a tub and you soak in a hot bath for a while. I'll check on you to make sure you're fine—”
“I think I know how to bathe myself,” she said, her lips trembling as they curved slightly.
“I know, but you've suffered a shock, and I still want to keep an eye on you. If you try to relax for a little bit and let me, Floyd, and the Keepers see what we can come up with, I promise to bring you up to speed when we’re finished.”
She held his gaze for another moment, then nodded slowly. “It feels like it's going against what I want to do, but I agree. I don't want to hinder your investigation. I know you're protecting me.”
He stood and gently drew her to her feet. Looking over her shoulder toward Floyd, he offered a chin lift. “I'll be right back. Grab something to drink and make yourself at home.”
He escorted her through the main bedroom to the bath and leaned over to turn on the taps. Turning around, he lifted his hands and cupped her face, sweeping his thumbs over her shock-chilled cheeks. “I'm not going to shut the door, but I promise you'll be safe in here. I want to be able to hear you if you need me.”
She nodded her acquiescence, and he bent, sealing his lips over hers in a soft, gentle kiss. She stripped quickly and stepped over into the tub, groaning as she eased into the deep water. Bending to kiss the top of her head, he walked out, making sure to leave the door cracked.
Stalking down the hall, he allowed his focus to center, but the warrior inside raged again. Time to fucking figure out who killed Caesar and is threatening Josie.
21
Cobb felt Floyd's intense stare but ignored the agent as he settled at the table, his encrypted, secure laptop open in front of him. Jerking his head to the side, he invited Floyd to sit, glad when the man was able to understand head motions considering Cobb wasn't in the mood for social niceties.
A few minutes later, the screen filled with the sight of the other Keepers, and from the looks of things, most had made it into the headquarters from their beds in the middle of the night. He knew there were no regrets, just as he knew he’d be there for any one of them if he'd been at home.
“How’s Josie?”
He appreciated their concern and the fact that none of them wasted their time telling him to hold