Page 28 of Relentless
“Okay, and what about a plan?” she asked.
“We need to start breaking down just what happened on that assignment,” Sabina answered. “Come to HICC tomorrow, and we’ll start walking through each day.”
“It was a short trip, but it was still a month,” Kara said. “And I might not remember everything,” she added, voicing her biggest concern. What if she forgot something that was important? What if more of her colleagues died because she didn’t remember? “Oh my god, my colleagues!” she said suddenly. “We have to make sure the rest of them are okay. That they’re safe.”
“I’ve already texted Ava, and she’s reaching out to the police in the towns where they live. She’ll get the local departments to keep an eye on them,” Sabina said. “Tomorrow we can decide if we want to call them and, if we do, what we’ll say.”
“Thank you,” Kara said. Then she paused before adding, “So what now?”
“Now we go to bed and get some rest,” Ethan replied gently. “I know it won’t be easy. I know there are a thousand and one thoughts spinning in your head right now. But tomorrow is going to be a long day, and you need to at least try to get some sleep.”
Easier said than done, but she didn’t say as much. It would be a waste of words since they all already knew that. Instead, she nodded.
“What time do you want me at HICC?” she asked.
“Nine?” Chad suggested.
“Make it ten,” Ethan cut in before she could agree. “I want to try to move my ortho appointment up a few days and I know the doctor’s office opens at 8.”
“Ethan,” Kara admonished.
He held her gaze as he answered. “If the images show I need to continue to keep off it, I will abide by her advice. But if it’s healing the way I hope, then I want to know.”
“Promise you’ll follow her advice even if you don’t like it?” she asked. He hesitated, then nodded. He wouldn’t back down from his word. He wasn’t that kind of man. But it wouldn’t be easy for him to hand her safety over to someone else. She supposed if the roles were reversed, she’d feel the same.
“Fine then,” she said. “We’ll see you around ten. If anything changes, I’ll call or text.”
“And try to get some sleep tonight,” Sabina added. Kara didn’t think that was possible, but she’d give it a try.
“Of course. Love you,” she said.
“Love you, too,” her sister replied, then they ended the call.
Ethan pocketed his phone as he kept his other hand wrapped around hers. “I filled the bath while you were upstairs. It’s probably still hot. Why don’t you add some of Sofia’s oils to it and have a soak? I know it might not help soothe you to sleep, but it can’t hurt.”
Her lips tipped in a sad smile. There was no question that the sexy little frolic they’d planned wasn’t going to happen. While she knew better than most that sex and violence often went hand in hand—working in war zones had taught her that—Ethan wouldn’t allow himself to get distracted tonight. Sure, HICC operatives would be watching the house. But even without him giving voice to the words, she knew her safety was his priority. She doubted he’d getanysleep.
“And you?” she asked.
He lifted her hand and placed a kiss on her palm. “I have a few things I want to take care of.”
“But will you sleep with me, tonight? Or at least lie down with me?” If he were beside her, she might convince her body and brain to slow down enough to fall asleep.
“Of course, there’s nothing I’d rather do,” he answered. She arched a brow. The chuckle that rumbled from his chest was a sardonic one. “Okay, there is something I’d rather be doing. But we’ve waited ten months. I’d rather wait a few more days and be in a time and a place where we can enjoy it.”
“And not have this…these deaths hanging over our heads,” she added. He nodded. She wanted that, too. She had nothing against fast and furious sex. But the first time she got Ethan naked,shewanted to take her time. She wanted to explore and savor—both him and the moment.
She sighed and reached for her computer. “I’ll drop this in my room then take you up on your suggestion of a bath.”
He didn’t look as though he wanted to let her go, but after a beat, he released her hand. She rose and tucked the computer under her arm. Rather than head straight to her bedroom, though, she paused at his side. His hand came up and wrapped around her thigh as she leaned down and kissed him. The feel of his fingers against the sensitive skin of her inner leg made her wish that she hadn’t taken those few minutes to run the internet searches. That she’d let Ava and Sabina discover Danielle’s death tomorrow. But that thought quickly dissipated. A colleague was dead. Likely murdered. Danielle had left behind her parents and a niece she loved like a daughter.
Her sex life could wait a day or two.
CHAPTERELEVEN
“Who’dyou bribe to get that?” Chad asked when Ethan walked into HICC with Kara at his side. The doctor had given him the green light to get off the crutches. Not only that, but she also allowed him to wear a less restrictive brace. He wouldn’t be going for any runs or doing any squats, but he could walk just fine.
“Even if I wanted to bribe someone, do you think she would have let me?” he replied, jerking his head in Kara’s direction. As soon as the doctor had said, “No crutches, just a brace,” he’d been ready to leave. Kara, on the other hand, had peppered the woman with questions for another twenty minutes. And she didn’t look even remotely sorry for the third degree.
