Page 191 of Valor

She took a sip and swallowed hard. The lump at the back of her throat almost choked her. What was she to do now? She couldn’t stay here. If they broke in once, they could get in again.

Oliver sat next to her.

“I’m so sorry this happened.”

His voice, so close to her ear, made her shiver.

“Are you cold?”

“No,” she whispered.

“I have a blanket in the car,” he said softly.

“I’m okay.”

“You are shaking.”

She bit her lip. If he were any more sympathetic, she would start bawling.

“Here,” Oliver said and lifted his arm. “If that’s okay with you.”

It surprised her when he reached across her shoulders and gently pulled her closer to him. She didn’t refuse the comforting gesture. Meghan shimmied closer, and Oliver wrapped his other arm around her.

“I think you might be going into shock,” he whispered. “Would you like me to call the paramedics?”

“No. Please don’t. I can handle it.” She said under her breath. “I just don’t know what to do next.”

“My offer stands. I don’t think you should stay here.”

Meghan leaned into him, thankful for his body’s warmth and the feeling of security it offered.

“Okay,” she sighed. “Thank you. But, please, ask your mom if she is okay with you bringing a stranger to your home.”

“If that makes you feel better,” he released her from his embrace and pulled out his phone. Another river of incomprehensible words followed. When he finished the conversation, Oliver tightened his hold on her once again and said softly. “She is preparing your room. Would you be more comfortable in my car? We can wait for the police there.”

Reluctant to break his warm embrace, she agreed. He helped her get up. Meghan glanced at the open door. There was no way she could ever sleep here. Her silent prayer of thanks was filled with gratitude that she had not been home during the break-in.

* * *

The situation had escalated fast.He walked Meghan back to his car, his arm wrapped around her lower back. She was in shock. This harassment would stop—now—even if he had to confront Robert face to face. Blowing his cover at this stage of the investigation would have to be okay with his CO. Experiencing such a violation of her personal space in a country that she had just arrived in was traumatic. Oliver opened the passenger door of his car and helped her in.

“Let me turn on the engine.” He slipped into the driver’s seat and re-positioned the vents so the warm air would blow directly at her. “The seat is heated.” He touched a button. “If you get too hot, just turn it off.”

She stared at the dashboard.

A police car pulled to the curb behind them.

“I’ll go get the bags and talk to the officers. Then we can leave.”

No reply.

Oliver hesitated, but when Yarda approached his car, he had to get out and talk to him. He reached for her hand. It was still cold.

“I’ll be right back.”

Meghan didn’t look at him.

If I get hold of Robert. No. When I get hold of Robert, I’ll make sure that the man understands he messed with the wrong person.

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