Page 90 of Trust No One

“He’s talking to those FBI agents,” Dev said, nodding at the three men.

“Let’s grab him and take off.”

Chapter 30

Dev kept his arm around Mel’s shoulders, supporting her as they walked through the terminal and into the parking garage. She slumped against him, and before he could stop himself, he pressed a kiss to her hair.

Gideon walked in front of them, leading the way, since he knew where he’d parked the car.

And also, maybe, because he wanted to give Dev and Mel some privacy. Pretty thoughtful. Probably his wife Alex’s influence.

When the car came into view, Gideon cleared his throat. “I’m, ah, gonna play chauffeur today. Since Mel’s still shaky, the two of you should sit in the back together.” He grinned at them. “Hate to break up a bonded pair.”

“You’re a funny guy, Wolf. And if you’re hoping for a show, you’re gonna be disappointed,” Dev shot back.

Gideon laughed. “Not expecting a show. But Mel shouldn’t be alone back there. She’s likely to fall over and hit her head. She doesn’t need that after all she’s been through today.”

Out of the corner of his eye, Dev saw Mel blinking her eyes too fast, as if trying to keep them open. Dev rolled his eyes. “You’re an evolved guy, Wolf. Alex must be good for you. God knows I never saw that side of you before.”

“You haven’t looked close enough, Smith,” Gideon shot back. He raised his hand and clicked the key fob, and Dev heard the locks open. Yanking the rear door open, he ushered Mel onto the seat, then slid in beside her.

Gideon climbed behind the wheel and started the car. He glanced into the rearview mirror, his eyes meeting Dev’s. “Hope you don’t mind that I forgot my uniform. Including the hat.” One side of his mouth curled up. “I’d love to tool along I95 wearing a chauffeur’s hat.”

“After the way you got the FBI to the airport in time, you can wear any damn thing you like, Wolf,” Dev said.

Gideon glanced in the rearview mirror again, his smile gone. “Kingsley’s in custody. The kid’s fine, and Mel will be. I’d say we did a damn fine days’ work, Smith.” He shifted his gaze to Mel. “We’ll swing by a hospital, Mel. They need to draw your blood to find out what was in that syringe.”

Mel frowned. “Not sure that’s necessary,” she said. She was still slurring her words, but she sounded sharper. As if the drug was wearing off. “I drank most of a big bottle of water. Maybe that’s flushing out whatever was in that syringe.”

“Thank God,” Dev said, tightening his arm around Mel. “But we still need to know what drug he gave you. In case there’s ever a trial.”

Mel nestled closer, and Dev cleared his throat. “It won’t take long,” he promised her. “I’ll explain the situation to the person who does the admitting. You’ll be in and out of there, babe. Okay?”

“Yeah, okay. Don’t want Cliff getting off on a technicality.”

“Not a chance of that. Just want to cover all the bases,” Dev said.

“Right,” she said, her voice too soft. “I’m wiped out. Thank you for saving me. Both of you.”

“You did a pretty good job of saving yourself,” Dev murmured into her ear. “You kept Kingsley talking when I was sneaking onto the plane. I could hear you as I walked down the aisle. If you hadn’t diverted his attention, Kingsley might have heard me. Turned around and shot me.”

“I know you, Dev.” Mel leaned her head against his shoulder. “He wouldn’t have gotten the draw on you.” Mel said.

Mel believed in him. She’d been certain he’d rescue her. A knot in his chest loosened, the one that formed when she’d handed him that damn check to buy him out. He drew a deep breath. Another. The first good breaths he’d taken since he’d seen Kingsley holding a gun on Mel.

He reached over and stroked his fingers over her hair. Tucked the red curls behind her ear. “You must be sleepy,” he murmured. “Go ahead and fall asleep. I’ll wake you up when we get to the hospital.”

“Not sure it’s sleepy,” she said, but her eyes were at half-mast. “Feel as if my body parts have been rearranged. Feet for hands. Hands for feet. Brain? Gone.”

He tugged off his shirt, folded it into a square and slid it beneath her head. “Sleep, Mel. I won’t leave you in the car when we get back to the hotel.”

“You gonna carry me inside?” she said, her eyes fluttering closed.

“I’ll do whatever you need me to do,” he said. Unable to stop himself, he dropped a kiss onto her head.

Her mouth curved up in a smile, then her body went lax against him. He tightened his arm around her and pulled her closer.

Mel wrapped her arms around herself, and Dev suspected she was cold now that shock was setting in. He grabbed his jacket from the seat, wrapped it around Mel’s shoulders and pulled it together in front.

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