way I can. I don’t want you to persuade her to do anything else.”
“You must realize that’s bullshit,” Joe said impatiently. “Jill Cassidy researched her, and you know exactly what Eve will do. I’ve done all the persuading I can, and now I have to jump in and help her try to stay afloat.”
“She thought that would be your plan, so I’m offering you the opportunity. I’ll send Gideon with you to Cairo along with any backup you need. Find out what you can about Dobran and everything he knows. It’s not many men I’d trust to go after him, but you’ll be able to do it. I’ll stay with Eve and protect her while she’s finishing the reconstruction.” He paused. “Or you can stay here and hold her hand, and I’ll go to Cairo.”
“And that remark is obviously aimed at sending me down the road. I’ll think about it.” He started toward the museum. “But right now, I want to see Eve.”
“Not yet.” Novak was suddenly moving past him. “Give me ten minutes. Jill insisted on staying with Eve to protect her, and I don’t want her shooting you. I’ll go and get her out of there.” He disappeared into the museum.
Joe muttered a curse. Patience. But he was not feeling patient. Ten minutes? He didn’t want to stand here twiddling his thumbs. He wanted to see Eve now. He wanted to talk to her, see her face, and he wanted to know why she was willing to risk everything for this madness.
If you could have seen that schoolroom, you’d understand.
The schoolroom. The place that had horrified and captured Eve in a way that Novak and Jill Cassidy would never have been able to do.
The schoolroom…
He turned on his heel and started down the path.
* * *
“Joe…”
He was near her. The familiar scent of him surrounded her. Eve could feel his warmth, sense the strength…
“Shh,” he said softly. “It’s not time to wake up yet. Just let me hold you…”
He was here, gently sliding onto the cot and turning her into his arms. Safety…Love…Home…
Her arms slid around him, and she nestled closer. “Not much room on this…cot, Joe.”
“We’ll manage.” His lips brushed her temple. “We always manage. Though I agree it’s not conducive to doing what I’ve been wanting to do since I left you in Atlanta. So just rest a little longer and let me hold you. That will be good, too.”
Yes, they always managed to be together. And it was wonderful just having him here beside her.
She relaxed against him and lay still, listening to his heartbeat. “Jill was…here. Where is she?”
“I have no idea. Nor do I care.” He kissed her ear. “I believe Novak removed her from the premises to avoid conflict.”
“She meant well.”
“And she’s won you over,” he said grimly. “She won’t find me that easy.”
“I wasn’t easy. She just proved to me that I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I didn’t do the reconstruction.” She rubbed her cheek against his shoulder. “I have to do it, Joe.”
“I know.” He was silent a moment. “I saw the schoolhouse. I could see the effect it would have on you.” Then he burst out, “Hell, it tore me apart.”
“It’s the children,” she whispered. “I keep thinking about Michael. Outside of the home, a schoolroom is where a child feels safest. What if Michael had been in that classroom facing Varak with those other children? You wouldn’t be able to keep from trying to stand between them either, Joe.”
“No, I wouldn’t.” Joe was silent again. “Then let’s get moving and make sure no one else will ever have to face him.” He brushed a strand of hair away from her forehead and gave her a kiss on the tip of her nose. “So much for you getting a little extra rest.” He carefully released her and moved off the cot. “That wasn’t going to happen, was it? Lights?”
“Wall switch beside the door.” She was already missing the feel of him. She saw him silhouetted against the faint light pouring into the glass of the windows as he lithely crossed the room. It must be almost dawn. “I slept longer than I intended anyway.” She sat up and swung her legs to the floor. “I’ve got to get back to work.”
The lights flashed on, and Joe’s gaze immediately zeroed in on the skull on her dais. “This is him?” He went to the workbench and examined the reconstruction. “You’ve only done the basic measuring…” he