Page 31 of An Impossible Love
“I don’t care. Someone tried to kill her, and I do not take that lightly. She’s part of this family.” He chewed his lip. “I’d like her to be taken to Camp David for the next few days to recover. We’re making the trip up there ourselves tomorrow night.”
“I’ll put it to Agent Sati, sir, but as you can appreciate, it is her decision.”
Orin nodded, holding back from making it an order. He desperately wanted to see Emmy now, to hold her in his arms, and it was almost killing him not to just blurt out how he felt. Instead, he thanked Lucas.
Moxie stayed behind after Lucas had left. “Careful, Orin. Your feelings for Emmy are starting to show.”
“Right now, this moment, I don’t care,” he said, shortly. “Jesus, Mox… she’s hurt, and it’s my fault. What do you want to bet that this had something to do with the announcement today?”
“We can’t know that.”
“Why else would someone want to attack her?”
Moxie sighed. “Okay. But look, we don’t know anything much about her personal life. Maybe it was some old boyfriend—”
“On the same day Karlsson is killed?” Orin looked skeptical. “The same day they had coffee together?” Ouch. What if Emmy were dating Karlsson?Not the thing to dwell on right now, you idiot.
Moxie stared at her friend. “Fine. But bringing her to Camp David?”
Orin shook his head. “I want to see her, and this seemed the best way.”
Moxie got up and went to her friend. “Look. I know how you feel about Emmy Sati, and I know you tried to put a cap on those feelings. Maybe it’s time we tried a different approach.”
“Like what?”
“If you’re both at Camp David, and you both want the same thing… there are ways.”
Orin knew he should shut this down immediately, not even consider it. But his mouth opened and out came the words. “Make it happen, Mox.”
Emmy listened calmly as Lucas told her she was being moved to Camp David, but inside she was a whirlwind of emotions. Fear, excitement, trepidation… the thought of seeing Orin was appealing, but, she told herself, it was just because of the possible concussion. Her body ached, her head hurt, but otherwise she felt fine.
Tim, on the other hand, was a little put out. He sat beside her as the doctor gave her a last check-up. “So, you’re being forced to go to Camp David now?”
“Not forced no, but if my boss wants me there…”
“You just got beat up, Em. Surely they can consider that?”
“I think, in a weird way, they’re doing it for my own protection.”
Tim’s shoulders relaxed. “Oh. In that case…”
Emmy held his hand. “Tim… you saved my life. I’ll never forget that.”
“It was the least I could do, kiddo, and you’d already done the hard graft by the time I got there. Dude was down and out.”
“Tim, he was choking me. You stopped him.” Emmy touched her bruised and sore throat unconsciously. That had been the most terrifying part of her whole ordeal, and all she had been able to think about was never seeing Orin Bennett again. “Listen, while I’m at Camp David and you’re still in Washington, would you do me a favor and look in on Marge once in a while?”
“Sure thing, sweetheart.” Tim kissed her forehead, then looked around as Duke and Lucas returned. “Guys, take care of my… sister,” he finished with a smile at her, and Emmy knew instantly he was right. They had grown so close, almost like siblings and now, with a pleasant thrill, she knew. She had family.
Tim said goodbye, and Emmy promised to call him soon. “You’d better, cutie.”
Duke grinned at Emmy. “Hey, slugger.”
“Hey, loser.”
Even Lucas smiled at their banter. “So, Duke’s your taxi service for Camp David. Your home has been secured now, so you can go pack a bag, grab whatever you need to.”
Emmy nodded. “Thanks, Lucas. Listen, I can work. I’m fine. So, while I’m at Camp David…”
