Nate jerked the axe from the dead man’s hand and ran to free Kaycie. He managed to pry the chain from the side of the trailer and unbound her hands. Her body draped across his back while he struggled for enough leverage to free her feet. He pulled her up where he could look into her unblinking eyes. The agony in them tore through his soul.
He patted her down, checking for broken bones. She’d been through hell, but he couldn’t find anything life threatening. Her body would ache for a long time, and no doubt, he’d hold her in his arms through some nightmares, but she was alive.
“The gunshot?” she asked.
“That bastard’s dead.”
“Good.”
Nate removed his shirt and slipped it over her head. Her teeth chattered from shock. He rubbed her arms and back, trying to warm her.
“Cops are on their way. Let’s wait right here.”
“Outside.” Her voice, even weak and pleading, gave him hope. “Take me out of this thing.”
“My pleasure.” Cradling her limp body as if she were a child, he carried her to the open driveway and sat with her on his lap. His chest felt as if it would burst when she curled around him. She released a soft cry, her breath warm on his neck.
He rocked her while the sun painted the sky with gold and orange streaks. He’d never seen a more beautiful dawn.
She lifted her gaze to his face. “Are those tears for me?”
Jesus. His cheeks were wet. He’d been ten years old the last time he’d cried, after learning his parents had died in a boating accident.
“Looks like it.” He brushed her dark tangled hair off her forehead. “I love you. You know that, don’t you?”
Crashing from an adrenaline high, his body and mind ached while he waited for a response. He might be holding her in his arms, but she held his heart in her hands.
“You saved me. Again.”
“I’m not so sure about that,” he whispered. “You said maybe I’d survived Afghanistan for a reason. Maybe you were right. Maybe I was meant to be here when you needed me. Maybe you saved me.”
The silence of the early morning sunrise was shattered by sirens. Judging from the sounds, more than a few cops and EMTs were about to descend on this chamber of horrors.
“Nate,” she said, soft as the breeze sliding through the cold morning. Her eyes closed and her body went limp.
This time he did cry out to the heavens.
Chapter 34
Nate’s scent, clean, woodsy and all man, tickled Kay’s senses. True to his word, he’d taken a quick shower and returned to her.
“Hello, gorgeous.” His baritone words sent tingles across her skin. He leaned over her bed and kissed her forehead.
“Hello, yourself.” Stiff, bandaged wrists didn’t prevent her from reaching up to slide her fingers through his short hair. “You do clean up nice.”
She marveled at her handsome hero. His tailored navy shirt set off his blue eyes and broad shoulders. Crisp starched jeans highlighted his narrow hips. Yep. She was definitely feeling better.
Her heart fluttered when he grunted and ignored her compliment. With his dark shaggy locks cut and bad-boy day-old beard shaven, his blue eyes sparkled even brighter. When his lips lifted into a smile, the cold, clinical feel of her sterile environment vanished. His presence diminished any residual aches and pains. He’d sat through the nights with her to keep the nightmares at bay.
“Between the two of us, we’re spending way too much time in hospitals.”
“And not even in the same bed.” She patted the mattress. “You could join me.”
He arched one eyebrow. “Don’t tempt me.”
His finger ran along her jawline, and his thumb brushed her lip. She relaxed into his hand, enjoying the warmth of his touch.
“I have plans for you later today.” Her hand drifted down the front of his shirt to his waistband.
“Stop that.” He glanced at the open door. “Your mom and dad could walk in any minute.”
“There you go ruining the mood. Besides, I’m not sure I can talk to my dad about the accident.”
“You’ll be fine,” he chided. “You confided in me, and the world didn’t end. Your dad needs to know the truth.”
“What truth?” Her father’s cold voice sent Kay’s determination into free fall.
Nate crossed the room and extended his arm. “Nice to meet you, sir.” He turned to Kay’s mother. “And you too, ma’am.”
Her dad’s jaw was set and his eyes unreadable as he accepted Nate’s handshake. “I understand you saved Kay’s life.”
Kay’s resolve sank even lower.
“She’s a fighter. I just got there before she freed herself.”
“So you’re still on the payroll. What are you protecting her from now?”
“Dad.” Kay was stunned at his question. She swallowed the hurt. Her father hadn’t bothered to thank Nate.
As if he knew she needed him near, Nate moved to her side. The nerves in his jaw twitched. He reached behind himself, pulled out his wallet, and then took out the check she’d written him. He held it up for everyone to see. She had no idea he hadn’t deposited her retainer. When he tore it into small pieces and placed it in her hand, tears sprang to her eyes.
“I’m not on the payroll anymore, sir.” His gaze locked on her dad’s. “But she’s important to me, and I’ll protect her from anyone who wants to hurt her.”
She wiped away a runaway tear, refusing to show any weakness.
Nate had removed all obstacles blocking her trust. Except one. Why hadn’t he told her that he’d accepted the FBI assignment? Every time he’d stepped into her hospital room, she’d hoped he’d come clean.
If today was about truth, she had to call him out.
“You can’t protect me if you’re in Colombia.” She hated that she sounded bitter after everything he’d done to save her life.
Damn him for saying he loved her. And damn him for not saying it since. That old niggle of doubt resurfaced.
“Tyrell flew out this morning.” His hurt expression cut right through her. “I told you I wouldn’t leave.”
The air whooshed from her lungs. They’d talked a lot over the past few days, but Kay realized there was still more to say, later when they were alone.
“And I didn’t believe you. I’m sorry.” Guilt washed over her. Wasn’t it time to trust him? Time to let go of the past?
“Dad, there’s something I need to tell you.”
****
Nate sent Kaycie an occasional encouraging wink while she relived the night of her brother’s death with her folks.
Nate rolled his sore shoulder. Funny how before it felt like a hot poker stabbed into his flesh. He’d completely forgotten the injury when he’d learned she was missing.
Since getting things straight with both Fort Worth and Dallas police, he’d spent every available minute next to her hospital bed. They’d talked for long hours. Not Nate’s favorite thing to do, but emptying and tossing out old baggage was for the best. Cleaning house so to speak.
She’d told Nate about the accident that had killed her brother. She’d agreed in order to move forward, she had to tell her parents the truth. Her mother had promised to ensure her father came today, if she had to drag him.
So far, Charles Taylor had remained stone-faced. His head was turned, directing his gaze out the window instead of at his daughter.
Nate swallowed the urge to twist the asshole’s head off and send him home without it. He twined her fingers through his, while cursing her father for turning away from her.
“Go on, sweetheart. Finish this.” Nate hoped his words of encouragement would give her the strength to set the record straight once and for all. She gave his hand a squeeze, and Nate loved this strong, remarkable woman even more.
“It’s the truth, Dad.” Her voice grew steady. “I was in the car behind Kevin. He was drunk and refused to give me the keys. When we pulled him from the wreckage, he was still conscious. A DUI and a wreck would’ve cost him his scholarship, so he begged me to say I was driving. When the cops arrived, I lied.”
Kaycie’s mother moved closer. “Oh, baby. Why didn’t you tell us?”
“After Kevin died, you two were in such agony. What good would it have done?” Kaycie leveled her gaze on her father. “Would it have made any difference in the way you felt, Dad?”
“I don’t know.” Her father turned to face Kaycie, and chills raced up Nate’s spine.
“You wished it had been me.”
The pain reflecting from Kaycie’s eyes ripped Nate’s insides to shreds.
“Honey, that’s not true. Why would you think such a thing?” Kaycie’s mother’s tone was incredulous.
“I remember the exact words.” Kaycie’s gaze never moved from her dad. “‘If God had to take one of my children, why did it have to be Kevin.’ That’s what you said, wasn’t it, Dad?”
Kaycie’s mother whirled on her husband. “You didn’t.”
“I was distraught.” He turned away. Not denying nor apologizing.
Nate’s palms itched. Between him and her father, it was no wonder she didn’t trust men.
“Kaycie’s been through enough for one day,” a deep voice said from behind. “You two clear out and let her young man take her home.”
“Papa.” Kaycie held her hand out to the older gentleman. Nate willingly stepped back to let him closer.
Her grandfather kissed her cheek. “I stopped by the nurse’s station. They tell me you’re going home.”
“Yep. They’ve pumped me so full of fluids my veins slosh.” She wiggled her arm as if to demonstrate.
“Dehydration is nothing to fool with.” Her grandfather pulled his glasses from the top of his head, seated them on the bridge of his nose, and inspected her abrasions.
“Quit that,” Kaycie grumbled. “I’m not one of your cadavers. You’ve probably got better preserved bodies waiting for you at the morgue.” She smiled, and Nate recognized the playful look.
Apparently satisfied, Mr. Taylor turned to Nate.
“Thank you again for bringing my granddaughter home safely.”
“No thanks necessary.”
The older man lifted a shoulder. “I’m afraid you’ll have to get used to it. I can’t seem to say it enough.”
Kaycie’s father moved one step toward her, and Nate hoped he was coming forward to bridge the gap. He didn’t.
Her grandfather leveled his gaze on her father. “Go home, Charles, and think about the harm you’ve caused. Then come up with a plan to get your daughter to forgive you.”
****
“Your dad will come around,” Holly said in her typical bossy manner, prompting Kay to pull her friend in for a hug.
“Who knows? At least it’s out in the open.” She’d promised Papa that she’d try to reconnect with her dad. So Sunday she and Nate were having lunch at her parents’ house.
“You’re sure I can’t stay and do the dishes?” Holly asked.
“No way. You’ve done enough for me.” Kay linked her arm in Holly’s, escorting her to the door. “Go.”
“Good to see you bossing people around again,” Marcus said, bending to drop a kiss on Kay’s cheek before stepping into the hallway. He grinned, which was something he didn’t do often and cast a glance at Nate. “You’ll let me know when you hear from Tyrell?”
“You bet,” Nate promised. “We’re in this as a team.”
His hand on her waist separated her and Holly, and he gently pulled Kay back inside the apartment. Snuggled against his hip, she listened as he continued to discuss the new agency with Marcus.
She was getting close to hero worship, and she couldn’t seem to stop herself. The relationship she wanted with Nate didn’t depend on his heroics. His strength, honesty, and loyalty set him apart from a lot of men. Her pride in the man he’d become filled her with love.
His warmth wrapped around her like a blanket and sent her woman parts throbbing. She tried to get even closer. What she had in mind after the door closed sent a shudder of anticipation coursing through her. He’d make love with her even if she had to seduce him. A prospect she rather enjoyed.
She dragged her mind back to Marcus and Holly, who with any luck were leaving soon. Heat flashed up her cheeks when she realized Holly was watching with interest. The twinkle in her friend’s eyes said she knew where Kay’s mind had been.
“Enough talk. See you tomorrow.” Holly took charge, wrapping her hand around Marcus’s sizable bicep.
Kay worried about Holly. She hadn’t returned to her lively, mouthy self. She’d resigned from the agency even though she’d had no direct contact with the cases. As systems manager, she’d read and heard a lot of sad stories. She’d said she simply couldn’t cope anymore. Kay hoped counseling would help.
“Goodnight,” Kay said fondly before closing the door.