"Milk?"
"I don't think your stomach can handle coffee at the moment."
"You might be right." I hated to agree because I really wanted a cup of coffee, but having eaten next to nothing the last few days, I knew milk was probably my best option at the moment. "What am I getting to eat?"
Jack grinned. "Oatmeal to start off with. If you can keep that down with no problem, we'll move up to something heartier come morning."
Good thing I liked oatmeal.
I ate slowly, not sure how my stomach would react to actual food. The oatmeal was pretty bland, but there was a hint of maple and brown sugar, which made it taste a bit better.
The milk helped.
By the time I pushed my bowl away, my head was bobbing as I tried to stay awake. I was fading fast, and that scared the crap out of me.
"Jack." I reached out for him, feeling some measure of relief when he immediately took my hand. I turned and leaned closer to him. I didn't want anyone else to hear me. My fear made me feel whiny. "I don't want to go to sleep."
They always came for me when I fell asleep.
Jack squeezed my hand. "I'm going to stay and watch over you, remember? No one will get to you."
I knew my fear was irrational considering all of the people in the house, but it was very real to me. "Do you have a gun?"
Or twelve?
"I do. Would it make you feel better if I had it on me?"
I stared for a moment, biting my lip, before nodding.
Jack reached under his shirt and pulled out a matte black pistol. He set it on the table then reached into his boot and pulled out another pistol. He pulled a very large knife out of his other boot.
"I have a few more in Hank's gun safe. Do you want me to get them, too?"
I chuckled. "No. I'm sure these will do."
I hoped they would do. I had no idea what Atkins would come at us with the next time. Bazooka or tank came immediately to mind.
"The others need to be on their toes until we end this guy. Atkins is no dummy. If he can take one of us, he'll do to them what he did to me until he gets what he wants."
"Not to worry, babe. Everyone is paired up, and Danny and Abe are using the tunnels to get back and forth so they aren't out on the street."
My eyebrows lifted. "You know about the tunnels?"
"I helped put them in."
That made sense.
"Come on." Jack stood then held out a hand. "Let's get you upstairs so you can get some rest."
I was still iffy about the whole sleep thing, but I was starting to nod off where I sat. I took Jack's hand as I stood. He led me over to the stairs, but as soon as we got there, Jack swung me up in his arms and carried me upstairs.
When we reached the bedroom, he carefully laid me down on the bed then drew the covers up to my chin. I sucked in a breath when he headed for the door, positive he was leaving me.
Jack just shut the door then turned off the light and came back to the bed. He stretched out beside me. "I told you I wouldn't leave you, Kaito. I meant it."
"I'm sorry."
"Nothing for you to be sorry for." Jack smiled as he stroked his fingers down my cheek. "I know I have to prove myself to you after my previous behavior."
