“Rachel?”
“Thank God.”
“I was . . . dead. I should be . . . gone.”
“I couldn’t let it happen.”
You brought me back.
Thank the Lord.
As she clung to him, more tears welled in her eyes, and she struggled to hold them back.
She had won. They had won.
When he rolled to his side, cradling her against him, she lost the battle and began to cry, the sobs wracking her body.
His hand stroked over her back, tangled in her hair, giving her comfort.
Finally, she was able to get herself under control.
I thought I’d lost you.
You brought me back, he said again, awe and admiration in his voice.
What happened? What did they do to you?
Hit me with those energy bolts. I don’t know what they did, exactly. Weakened me. I felt myself fading away.
You’re still weak, I think.
He raised his head and looked around. “We’re at Kendall’s?” he said aloud, and she knew that the mental communication was draining him.
“His spare room.”
“I’ve stayed here once or twice.”
“Hiding out?”
“Yeah.”
“From whom?”
“Those business associates I told you about.”
“I thought he was going to shoot me when I first came in. He didn’t want us staying here.”
“He’s got to be cautious.”
He skimmed his lips over her cheek. “You were very brave.”
“I just did what I had to.”
“More than you had to.”
She didn’t try to explain her overwhelming panic; she simply snuggled in his arms as they talked.
“Mickey and the woman. . .”
