twitching in anticipation of a midnight snack, her phone vibrated an incoming message.
She reached into her purse and glanced at the screen. Her scream pierced his heart as he stared to see her wide-eyed horror. Racing to her side, he grabbed the phone. There, on the screen was a photograph of Caesar, slumped as he was tied to a chair. Blood covered his bruised face and a bullet hole was in his temple. The message under the picture was clear. Don’t be next.
“Fuck!” he shouted. The soft moan to his side sliced through the white-hot rage that roared through him. Whirling around, he watched as Josie slumped backward, her hips hitting the counter behind her. Her lips were as white as her complexion, causing the intensity of her blue eyes to stand out even more. She slumped further, and he snapped his hands out to grab hold of her, gently settling her on the floor as he knelt with her.
Softening his voice, he murmured, “It’s okay, babe. I’ve got you. I’ve got you.” Her head fell forward onto his chest as heat poured from her body. Recognizing the adrenaline of fear running through her, he shifted his ass to the floor, easing her into his embrace. The hair along her forehead was soaked with sweat, and he pushed it back, placing his lips against her skin. His fingers found the pulse on her wrist, noting it to be slow but steady.
“Josie, stay with me, baby. I want you to lean forward and put your head between your knees.”
“I’m okay,” she mumbled in a whisper. “Do… whatever…”
“I need to report this to Floyd and my team, but you’re my first concern. Take deep breaths. In through your nose slowly, then out through your mouth slowly. Breathe with me.” He mimicked the slow breathing, glad when she followed his lead.
She lifted her head, her eyes still glazed. “I’m okay.”
He slid his hand into his pocket and pulled out his phone. Quickly pressing a few buttons, he said, “Got a problem. Josie just got a text. It’s a photograph of Caesar. He’s dead. I need all hands on deck. Give me a call when you’re ready.” He disconnected, knowing the Keepers on the other end would know what they needed to do. With another few clicks on his phone, he waited till Floyd answered. “It’s Cobb. I need you at Josie’s now.” Disconnecting from that call, he also knew the agent would be at Josie’s soon. Figuring he had about fifteen minutes before Floyd’s arrival, he shoved his phone back into his pocket and turned his full attention toward her.
She lifted her head, and while still pale, the deep breathing had the desired effect as her complexion now had a faint tinge of pink instead of pure white.
“I want to get you off the floor, baby.” He shifted to a squat, and with his hands under her arms, he gently lifted her to her feet, continuing to hold her, not trusting her legs to support her slight weight. “Floyd is on his way over, and I want to get you into your bedroom.”
She lifted her gaze, her eyes searching his face, then slowly shook her head. “Jorge, I don’t want to be off by myself.”
“Baby, I’ll be right here in the house with you. But I don’t want you to have to be part of the conversation that I’m going to have with my people and Floyd.”
Her tongue darted out and licked her lips as she continued to shake her head. “I’m already involved.”
She appeared steadier on her feet, and as much as he wanted to tuck her into bed and hide her away, he knew she was right. “Then let’s get you comfortable.” With his arm wrapped around her shoulders and the other arm holding her hand, he escorted her to the sofa, settling her against the deep cushions. Jogging back into the kitchen, he grabbed a bottle of water and a banana from the bowl of fruit. Stalking back over, he unscrewed the lid off the water and handed it to her. “Stay hydrated and eat the banana.” Knowing she was perfectly capable of eating and drinking on her own, he could not help but stand watch over her, his hands ready to reach out if she needed any assistance.
Looking up, she said, “I don’t need you to stare at me while I’m eating a banana—”
“Give this to me, Josie.” He knew his voice was guttural, and her nose crinkled in