It was a strong statement for someone he’d just met, but it was true. He would do everything he could to keep Marie safe. The fact she was sleeping soundly in his arms, hadn’t even fluttered an eyelid when he’d lifted her higher and started walking, meant subconsciously at least, she felt safe with him. She’d let him support her through her breakdown, not that Ophelia would know any of this as she hadn’t seen it.
“Will you at least tell me where you live?” Ophelia conceded.
“I live on the edge of town in the faded yellow cottage.” If Ophelia had been in San Carlion for more than a few weeks, she’d know which house he was talking about.
“I know it.” She came up and rested her hand on Marie’s arm. “Take care of her. She works too hard, and today was tough on her.”
The respect Ophelia felt for her colleague was plain to see and hear. “I will and I know.”
With a nod, he strode out of the building and down the street to his house. It was heartbreaking, and it would take a while before San Carlion got the help it needed. Maybe he could do something about that. He may be in hiding, but he had friends he could call upon to help out. Or to get some humanitarian aid here quicker than could normally be achieved.
It may be the middle of the night, but he knew one person who would take his call. Once he got Marie settled in his bed he stepped back.
Damn, she looks good there.
As quickly as the thought came, he banished it. He couldn’t be thinking about her this way. Not with the way his life was one clusterfuck after another. Not to mention he had no idea if she lived permanently in San Carlion. Or was on a contract. He didn’t even know where she lived in America. And he’d known her for less than twenty-four hours, there hadn’t been much time to talk about their lives. Not that he could tell her much about his. The type of thoughts he was having were ridiculous. Maybe he was caught up with seeing how fragile life was today. How in a split-second things could change. Although that wasn’t entirely true. He’d seen plenty of that when he’d been in the Ramirez Cartel. Had taken lives without thought because he’d needed to.
He wasn’t good for Marie. What he needed to dowas–when she woke–is take her back to the makeshift hospital, and then he’d disappear into the darkness and never see her again.
Determined to shut down his emotions when it came to the woman sleeping in his bed, Isaac spared her one last look before turning on his heel and heading to the kitchen. He opened up one of the cupboards and reached in, loosening the thin piece of wood at the back. He pulled out a satellite phone. His one and only connection to the outside world.
He dialed the number and waited. Blackness was all he could see beyond his kitchen window. He hadn’t bothered with a light. He didn’t need to, he knew his way around this house. Had made sure he could get to things quickly in the dark if ever the need for him to disappear at a moment’s notice.
“Isaac, is everything okay?”
He smiled at the sound of Cassandra’s sleepy voice. “Sorry to wake you, but I need some help.”
“What is it?” In a split-second Cass’s voice went from sleepy to alert.
“There’s been an earthquake where I am. We need help. Medical supplies. People who can look for victims. Materials to rebuild.” He didn’t need to tell Cass where he was, she knew. She’d known where he was the whole time he’d gone to ground after waking up from being in a coma.
“You got it. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Isaac wandered back toward the bedroom, stopping in the doorway. Marie was still asleep, but her brow was furrowed and her legs were twitching. “I’ve got to go.”
“Okay, I’ll be in touch. You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m sure.” Even though he was decades older than Cass, she always worried about him. Considering what he’d done to her and how his actions had fucked up her life, he didn’t deserve her concern, but he wasn’t going to throw it away either.
He disconnected the call and strode over to the bed. By the time he reached it, Marie was moaning loudly, clearly in the throes of a nightmare. Considering what she’d seen and had to deal with, this response wasn’t a surprise.
Isaac sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to touch her, should she lash out like some people did while dreaming. “Marie. Wake up. You’re safe. It’s just a dream.”
There was no change, so he tried again, only this time he spoke a little louder. Her movements stilled a little, but he could see that she was still in the grips of the dream. Perhaps not as deeply as she had been when he’d walked in, but not out of it either.
Feeling confident that nothing would happen if he touched her, he placed his hand on her leg. “Marie.It’s okay. You’re safe. It’s me, Samuel. You can wake up.”
God he wished he could give her his real name. HearIsaacfall from her lips, but it was something he couldn’t do.
Her eyelids fluttered open, and he took his hand away, resting it on the bed beside her. She blinked a few times to get her bearings. “What? Where am I? Sam?”
“Hi,” he said softly. “You feel asleep in my arms in the field. I brought you to my place so that you could sleep. You were having a dream.”
“Oh.” She flung her arm across her eyes, as if she could erase the last few hours. “I’m sorry.”
Isaac wanted to stroke her leg. To soothe her, but he kept his hand where it was. They were strangers and he’d taken more liberties than he should’ve by bringing her to his home. Not that he would’ve done anything differently. He’d done what he’d thought was right at the time. “If anyone should be sorry, it’s me. Do you need anything? Some water? I can rustle up a snack if you need something to eat.”
Marie sat up and pushed her hair off her face. “Thanks, but I’m okay. I need to get back.”
