Page 82 of Storm Warning

Cutting him off, John held up his hand, his expression one of understanding. “Please, Hawk. She is to be commended for her diligence in insisting on only speaking to those authorized to hear what she has to say.”

A nurse entered, and the bodyguard stepped inside and held the door open as if he had some read on John’s desire for them to leave now. They were of no use to him if Remi wasn’t going to share.

“I’ll be in touch, Hawk. Until then, keep her safe.”

“And you trust me to do that? Why aren’t you insisting that Remi go to a safe house, a secure location, if you believe she is holding on to highly sensitive information?”

“Remi trustsyouto do it. You have the necessary skills and training. You haven’t failed her yet. You won’t fail me either.”

Way to put the pressure on while also making Hawk feel a little guilty for doubting his friend.

“I know that because Cole is in custody,” John said.

Feeling the sucker punch to his core, Hawk released a surprised exhale. “What? When did this happen?” Myriad emotions charged through his heart and mind and clamped down on his chest, squeezing. Hawk had to work to remain composed, but John had to know how much this news affected him.

“I was informed right before you arrived. I don’t have details yet. But he won’t threaten her anymore.” To Remi, he said, “Take your time. Give yourself the space to fully recall the facts and the incident in question. Once I’ve secured a meeting, I’ll contact you.”

“What about whoever hired Cole? Was it the man you mentioned, Charles Whitman? He could send someone else for Remi.”

“We’ll find out what we need to know and cut that snake off at the head.” John sounded confident, determined. Theformer chief warrant officer Hawk remembered. “I can arrange a security detail for Remi, to assist you in protecting her, if you need it.”

“I would appreciate that. I’ll let you know once I have her situated.”

Remi was giving them both looks. They were talking about her like she wasn’t there, but she said nothing.

“Sounds like a plan,” John said.

“Will do. Just get better and make it quick.” Hawk’s words elicited a familiar smile from John, then he and Remi exited the room.

Hawk felt better about the meeting and more than ashamed of his initial confrontational attitude. But he and Remi had accomplished something. Arrangements were being made to meet with the powers that be. That’s what they had hoped to accomplish.

And the news that Cole had been caught left him reeling inside. A fist squeezed his heart. He needed to process what this meant for his brother on every level, but much later.

Making their way down the corridor, he walked close to Remi, his hand hovering at her back as they moved down the quiet but busy hallway. Nurses sat at their stations, staring at computer screens. A few aides entered or exited patient rooms. All the normal hospital stuff he would expect. So why was he feeling that keen sense of impending danger, especially now that he had learned that Cole was in custody? Even if he wasn’t, Cole wanted Remi alive. He hadn’t killed her before. Instead, he’d shot John. He could have killed him with one shot, but he hadn’t.

My brother isn’t much of an assassin.Oddly, that should have comforted him, except Cole was in custody for serious crimes. Hawk had hoped to confront him under different circumstances and help him turn away from this path. Hewould be turned away all right. And Hawk would face him and try to reconcile their relationship.

Finally they stepped onto the elevator, and he was surprised they were alone. He would take that moment to breathe before they stepped off. Then he had to get Remi somewhere safe until she handed off this burden to the right person, whose name John had never actually given them.

Hawk wanted to say something, but he wasn’t sure where to start so he remained silent.

“I hate to say this out loud,” she said, “but I’m scared, Hawk. I’m terrified. Sergei told me everything in case something happened to him, and maybe I should tell you in case something happens tome. The closer we get to this finally being over, the more terrified I am.” Unshed tears brimmed in her eyes, but she lifted her chin and shoulders and shifted to stare forward.

She might have been terrified, but she had fortitude. Hawk was equally tormented, and he would be right beside her through this. He wouldn’t forgive himself if anything happened to her.

“You’re going to be okay.” If only he could believe that, feel it to his core.

“You don’t know that, so I’m going to tell you where to find the Tempest device.”

33

She blurted it out to him before it was too late. Before he could respond, the doors opened. Was he upset with her for telling him? She and Hawk stared out into the hallway, but neither of them spoke. Neither of them moved to exit the elevator.

Hawk leaned in close to her ear. “You’re going to live to share this information yourself.”

A white-coated physician and a nurse in purple scrubs rushed to catch the elevator, and Hawk and Remi stepped off. As she walked next to Hawk in silence, he picked up the pace. Easy for him with such long strides, but she had to work to keep up with him. They exited the hospital into the parking garage.

Hawk suddenly moved behind a column and pulled her with him.

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