Page 77 of Nora
She frowned. “It’s strange, I don’t really feel it.”
“Shock,” Ben said, handing over a small first aid kit one of his deputies had pulled from her vest.
“It can’t be that bad,” Nora said, then winced when she touched it again. “Okay, I guess I’m feeling it now.”
Lucian pushed her hand away and pressed a clean square of gauze to the three-inch slice. It wasn’t life-threatening, and no artery had been hit, but it was worse than she thought. Blood had soaked through her scarf that now lay on the ground, and it was still flowing.
“Sit,” Lucian ordered. Released from his guard duties, Miles trotted over and sat. Nora smiled. Lucian did not.
“I’m fine,” Nora said, crouching to give Miles some love. As if sensing her injury, the dog remained seated and let her rub his ears without head butting her as he usually did.
“Detective, that’s Angelo Rossi,” she said, looking up as she remained with Miles. “I’m sure you’ve figured out by now, he’s the one who killed the eleven people—including the two in your jurisdiction. I’ll let my contact know the situation has been resolved, but if you could please Mirandize him and hold him, someone will be in touch.”
Ben nodded and gestured for his deputies to take the man in. Angelo hadn’t fought back, and Lucian spared him one look before the deputies led him away in handcuffs. Tears tracked down the man’s face, but he looked resigned to his fate. In some ways, he reminded Lucian of a martyr.
“Paramedics?” Lucian asked, dismissing Angelo from his thoughts and his life and refocusing on Nora.
“Five minutes out. We should get her to the parking lot if she can walk,” Ben answered.
“I’ll carry her,” Lucian said, reaching for Nora’s hand. The look she gave told him that he’d regret it if he even tried. But once on her feet, she swayed and blinked.
“Must be the aftereffects of the chloroform,” she said.
Lucian didn’t care what it was, nor did he care if she protested, and in the next beat, she was up and in his arms.
“Craig, fill Detective Miller in on the events of the evening as best you can,” Lucian said. Craig nodded and Miles, apparently satisfied that Nora was in good hands, rose and trotted to his handler. Then, turning to Miller, he added. “I’ll get Nora to the paramedics and, if needed, the hospital. I’ll let you know which, as I’m sure you’ll want to talk with her tonight.”
Ben nodded. “I will. We’ll also want to search his room.”
“The grounds are still army property. I’m not sure if you’ll be able to do that without their permission. But Nora’s people will be in touch,” Lucian answered.
“Nora would like to be put down,” she said.
Lucian ignored her. “We’ll speak soon,” he said with a nod to the detective. He started to stride out, then paused at the opening and turned to Craig. “Thank you,” he said. “To both of you.”
Craig nodded, and Miles’s tail swept across the dirt floor. Without another word, he walked out of the cave and into the moonlit night. Scattered clouds were still releasing large, fluffy snowflakes. It was a beautiful night, but not one he’d ever want to relive.
“I’m fine, Lucian. I can walk. I was just woozy for a second.”
He ignored her and tightened his grip.
“Are you going to give me the silent treatment now?” she asked. He knew she was goading him, but even knowing that didn’t stop the rush of emotion that exploded out of him.
Dropping her legs to the ground, he pulled her roughly against him and slammed his mouth down over hers. He should be giving her pretty words. He should be telling her that she’d scared him. That the thought of something happening to her wasn’t acceptable. He should be telling her that he’d heard her talking about children and that he wanted that, too. He should be telling her he loved her.
But he couldn’t. The only thing he could do was kiss her, hold her, and try to keep a leash on all the emotions battling inside him. He wanted more. There was a reason sex and violence were portrayed together. He wanted nothing more than to back her against a tree and take her. Nothing more than to release the fear, the aggression, the anxiety. And judging by the way she met his assault, he didn’t think she’d resist.
And that one thought had him drawing back. He would not use her in that way. Even if she was willing. He wasn’t ready to talk. Not yet. But he had to let her know how he felt about her. Leaning back in, he very gently, almost reverently, brushed his lips across hers, then pulled her into a hug. With their arms wrapped around each other, he rested his cheek on the top of her head and breathed in. Her scent filled his nostrils, and through their winter jackets, he felt her heart beating strong and steady.
When he felt more grounded, less explosive, he pulled back. Placing another kiss on her upturned mouth, he held her gaze. She gave him a small smile. One that quickly turned to an expression of surprise when he again swung her up into his arms.
He looked down at her as he continued to the parking lot, daring her to complain. She smiled again, this time a full Nora smile. Without a word, she tightened her arms around his neck and snuggled into him.
EPILOGUE
Tulah,Paddy, Luna, and Oscar lay sprawled in various spots around her family room floor, each ignoring their dog bed. The fire was roaring, and she’d even gotten a Christmas tree up. Well, she and Lucian had. The program had ended abruptly when Angelo was arrested, but Lucian hadn’t gone back to Italy. He hadn’t said how long he planned to stay; in fact, he hadn’t said much of anything about them as a couple. He’d just thrown his bags into her car, driven back to Cos Cob with her, and stayed.
“Franklin is here,” Lucian said, bringing her a cup of tea. After handing it over, he walked to the front door and let the man in before joining her on the couch.
