Page 58 of Whispers of You
I recognized Nash’s voice across the line.
Ms. Peterson’s sobs just came harder. “Help him. Please, help him.”
There were muffled calls of “clear” and then Nash’s voice was in my ear. “We’ve got her, Wren.”
“O-okay.” It was only then that my voice trembled. Knowing she was safe. That Mr. Peterson had a fighting chance now that help had arrived.
I pulled my headset off in a shaky daze, barely aware as I hung up the call. The world around me had a fuzzy quality to it like an old television set with a weak signal.
Someone swung my chair around. I couldn’t make out the face, only a blurry form. It was the scent that told me everything. Pine with a hint of spice.
I didn’t think, I simply threw myself at Holt. His arms wrapped around me. I wasn’t sure if I was crying or simply shaking but Holt was my anchor. The only way I could stay in the here and now.
He held me, and he didn’t let go.
19
HOLT
I hadthe burning urge to pick up Wren, run, and never stop. She trembled against me. I didn’t know much; had only heard the initial call come over Lawson’s radio as we were getting ready to spar.
Shooting victim.
I gripped Wren tighter. How could she do this job? She chanced being reminded of the worst moment of her life every day.
She pushed against my chest, trying to free herself from my hold. It took everything in me to release her.
Wren struggled to get her breathing under control. Her lips formed silent words, and I realized that she was counting. Inhaling for two. Exhaling for two.
“Sorry,” she croaked.
I scowled. “You know you don’t have to apologize. Not to me.”
She stared at me for a moment, and I saw her struggle to put the pieces of her mask back into place—the one made of cool indifference. I wanted to rip the thing to shreds.
“It was a shock. I wasn’t expecting”—she took a breath—“I wasn’t expecting Mr. Peterson.”
Alarm shot through me, that warning signal that had been finely honed over the past decade.
“I should get back to work. Thanks for…” Her voice trailed off as if finishing the sentence was too difficult.
“You can take a minute to breathe.”
Her eyes flashed. “No. I can’t. Not in this job. It needs my complete focus no matter what the call is.”
My jaw clenched, but I nodded. “I’ll be in the gym if you need me.”
Because I needed to punch the hell out of something.
* * *
I leveled a jab,hook, cross combination at the bag. Sweat flew against the leather as I made contact each time. But it wasn’t enough. I needed something that would hit back.
A low whistle sounded, and I jerked around. Nash strode into the gym, Lawson on his heels. “You gettin’ ready to take on a fight with the devil?”
I grabbed a towel from the rack on the wall and wiped it over my face and chest.
Lawson tossed me a water bottle. “Desk clerk said you’ve been in here all afternoon.”
