Page 1 of Invisible Scars
1
EFFIE
My heels clickagainst the concrete as I rush through the hospital’s underground parking, clutching onto the strap of my bag as my eyes scan my surroundings, alert to every movement.
A sound catches my attention, sharp inhales and exhales that sound like someone fighting off a panic attack. My heart sinks when I approach the source. I recognize the distinctively male voice and the 4X4 Sting-Gray Jeep acting as cover for the man who sounds like he’s about to fall apart.
I circle the vehicle and find Jonah crouched low, elbows leaning on his thighs and fingers deep in the thick chestnut locks at the top of his head, eyes squeezed shut as he takes deep breaths through his nose, holds, then releases them through his mouth.
“Joe?” His head snaps to me. Those dark onyx eyes that I’ve never known to be anything but strong and solid are full of vulnerability and pain.
“What’re you doing here?”
“I looked for you in the ward, but Rita said you never showed up, so I came down here.” I take a step closer. “Micah asked if I could check in on you since I was closest to the hospital.”
“Of course he did.” Jonah shakes his head and averts his gaze. “I’m fine, Effie.” When I don’t move, he lets out a long breath, eyes still trained on the ground. “You should go home.”
“I think I’ll wait with you.” I squat down next to him. “This parking lot is kind of freaking me out.”
Jonah straightens his spine and leans his head back against the car door before turning his unreadable gaze to me.
“That just means you need more time on the mat.”
“As long as you don’t force me to train in my heels.”
“It wasone time.” I swerve my head with an expression that conveys exactly what I think about thatone time. “Effie…”
“Jonah…” I mimic his stern tone and arch both eyebrows, cocking my head to the side, daring him to continue his usual admonishing spiel about my lack of defense training.
“Ididget you a puppy to make up for it,” he dares say, the cheeky brat.
“Calgary is a Chesapeake Bay Retriever.He’s a guard dog.” I throw my hands up in exasperation, releasing a heavy sigh. “I’m not some weak damsel who constantly needs your oh-so-masculine protection.”
Jonah glares at me for a few seconds, his brow wrinkling, then shakes his head.
“You’re a real piece of work, Doll. You know that, right?”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, it is one hundred percent so.” I would have been offended had it not been said with a smile that crinkled at the corner of his eyes, all those hard lines making way for warmth when he meets my gaze. “I’m sorry I’ve been so hard on you, Effie. But you have to understand where I’m coming from.”
I wait for him to continue, then I wait some more, and after about ten seconds of silence, I realize Jonah thinks he’s getting out of elaborating.
“Not a mind reader, Cadet.”
“Lieutenant.”
“Maybe in the Navy. Out here, I call the ranks. So, start talking,Cadet.”
Jonah’s laughter echoes through the parking lot as he turns his face to the ceiling. Then his gaze returns to me, and he sizes me up with a thoughtful expression.
“Do you promise not to get offended?”
“Asking me that guarantees you’re about to say something offensive but, depending on how insulting your explanation is, I promise not to hold a grudge.”
Jonah mulls over my answer for a few seconds before shaking his head and turning to me.
“The day you walked into HQ, all dolled up and meaning business, my first thought was how fragile you look and how dangerous this job can get.” He reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “You were so determined to prove yourself, so pretty.” His fingers linger, the rough pad of his thumb grazing my cheek and sending tingles of awareness to the pit of my stomach. “It would be easy to hurt you just to get to us.” Something in his voice hardens at those last two words, and the force of protectiveness radiating off him almost knocks me back. “No onegets to hurt you, Effie. Not on my watch.”
