He knew that wasn’t what she wanted, however, and so he let her sit alone, lost in her own thoughts.
Jacob’s flight from Seattle was due to land soon.Even though his trip was mostly a wasted one now, Mårten wanted to see his old friend, and hoped he wouldn’t turn straight around and head back to America.It’d be good to talk everything that’d happened through with somebody he trusted explicitly.Get Jacob’s opinion on the repercussions of this mission.Mårten knew he’d let emotions drive him tonight, and although he hadn’t technically disobeyed a direct order, and the outcome had been favorable in the end, there were many, many things that he’d done wrong.Rydberg had made it clear there would be an inquiry into his actions and his decision-making.This would be the second internal review Mårten had been involved with in less than a year.It wouldn’t look good on his file.Hopefully, Jacob would be a firm ally in the coming few days, because Mårten was going to need someone on his side if he were to get through this unscathed.
Summer shifted in her seat, and Mårten’s laser focus veered to her once more.“Paige didn’t deserve to die,” she said in a small voice.
“No, she didn’t,” he agreed, trying not to show how relieved he was.At least she was talking, even if her gaze remained fixed outside the window.
He was desperate to touch her, so he patted the bed hopefully.“Will you come and sit with me?”
She turned and stared at him for many long seconds, eyes hollow and unreadable.Then slowly, painfully, she uncurled her legs and walked barefoot over to his bed.He patted the bed again, and after another moment’s hesitation she climbed up awkwardly so that she was nestled in the crook of his arm, resting her head against his chest.At first she was rigid and stiff, but he curled his arm around her shoulder, careful not to jostle her broken arm, and pulled her in tighter, letting her know with his body that she was safe.It took a few moments, but at last she relaxed into him, emitting a sigh of release.His heart joggled agonizingly in his chest.It felt like she’d just given him something precious, something he needed to cherish.Her trust.
“Nathan will be charged with her murder, along with your kidnapping.He’ll go to jail for a long time,” he mumbled into her hair.He knew it was no real comfort to Summer, because her friend was still dead.And even though the girl had had misguided intentions, she wasn’t inherently evil, unlike her colleague.But at least Nathan could no longer hurt Summer; he’d pay with the rest of his life for what he’d done.
“Hmm,” she murmured in reply.“So, what happens now?”she asked, half-lifting her head from his chest.
“Well, Jacob will be here soon and we can try to figure out the motivation behind your kidnapping,” Mårten replied, his mind already drifting to the questions they might put to Nathan.Why had they abducted Summer?They still didn’t know how she was connected to the eco-terrorists’ plans.Surely, they hadn’t taken her out of pure revenge?And why had they gone to the trouble of making the FBI believe it was Tyrone who was traveling to Sweden in the first place?Tyrone who’d carried out the snatch and grab.
“No, I mean, can I go back to Seattle?”She lifted her broken arm into the air.“I won’t be able to compete in the triathlon with this.So, if I’m not needed here, I may as well leave.I want to go home,” she added almost in a whisper.
“Oh, right.”Mårten hadn’t thought that far ahead, had virtually forgotten about the triathlon.He’d been so focused on finding Summer and saving her that any future past tonight was simply not on his radar.And even then his mind was fixed on building the case against the eco-terrorist, ensuring Nathan would not get away.Catching the perpetrator was merely the start; there’d be court cases and lawyers, and media scrums, days and weeks of logging evidence and paperwork.Liaising with Jacob and the FBI, as well as the Washington State police, to make sure all the facts were airtight.There’d be month’s worth of work to do yet.
The idea of Summer might leave him to go back to America hit him like a blast of cold air.It had never even occurred to him she might want to go home.It was too soon, wasn’t it?They needed more time together.With the clarity born from imminent loss, he suddenly knew he didn’t want her to go.He wanted her here, by his side, and the thought of not having her was too much to bear.
He’d come to care for this complicated woman deeply.She was his opposite in almost every way; they had nothing in common.She held her cards close to her chest and often kept him at bay with her thorny exterior.Her world was one of schedules and rules, and she seemed happy with her solitary existence, where she could control everything and everyone in her life.
Nevertheless, he remained drawn to her, had witnessed some of those walls breaking down in the few weeks he’d known her, and he’d liked the glimpse of the real Summer he’d seen below the surface.She had a wicked sense of humor and could light up a room with her presence when she finally let herself go.Her determination and grit were a sight to behold—the way she was dogged in her pursuit of excellence in her triathlons, and how she had used her passion to build her own successful videography business.But there was also a vulnerability, a heartbreak she buried so deep.He’d detected it more than once, and he wanted to know more, to plumb the depths of Summer and find out what made her tick.To explore whatever was developing between them; it had the potential to be something great.
Lifting a hand, he tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.“Do you need to go home so soon?Why don’t you stay in Sweden for a while?You can live in my house, recuperate there.We can heal together.”The words came out even as the notion formed in his head.It was a good idea, now he thought about it.A great idea, even.
She made no reply, lifting her dark gaze to stare at him, confusion flitting across her face.He took hold of her good hand, and she tensed at his touch.How could he convince her to stay?Perhaps he needed to tell her the truth.
“I think we have something good.I think…I might be—” the shrill jangle of his mobile cut over the top of his words.
They both stared at Mårten’s cell as it vibrated on the table next to them.
“Shit.”Mårten didn’t hide his disgust.It was the worst timing ever, but it was Jacob, and he knew he should answer.Jacob must’ve just landed in Stockholm, and he’d need an update.But this conversation with Summer was important.Maybe the most important he’d had in a long, long time.
“I’ll call Jacob back,” Mårten said, determined to finish their talk.But Summer was already scrambling off the bed.
“No, no, you go ahead,” she replied, retreating, gaze averted once more.Shit, he’d lost her; she was withdrawing behind her high walls all over again.Had she heard him?Has she realized he was about to declare that he was falling for her?Because she was acting like a frightened rabbit about to bolt.This wasn’t the reaction he’d been expecting.What had he done?The last thing he wanted to do was scare her away.Damn bloody Jacob.
“Summer, I…”
“Take the call,” she replied, voice deadpan.“I want to hear what he has to say.”
For a few more long moments, Mårten ignored the shrill ringtone.But he knew there was no point in pushing her, so all he could do was try to read her features as he picked up the phone and pressed it to his ear.
“Hi, Jacob,” he said, not taking his eyes off Summer, who’d retreated to her chair in the corner.
“Mårten, I’ve got news.”Jacob was almost yelling down the line.
“I’ve got news too,” Mårten said, pulling himself together.“I found Summer.She’s safe with me now.We’re in the hospital.”He was being as succinct as possible, trying to get his words out before Jacob butted in.
“I know, I just heard,” Jacob confirmed.“Congratulations, dude, you did good.”Normally, Jacob’s praise would’ve helped allay some of Mårten’s fears that he’d fucked up on the job.But the thought that he’d fucked up even worse with Summer just now was overriding everything else.
“But I think I might know the motive behind the abduction.”Jacob continued, his tone tight with excitement.
“Wait, can I put you on speaker?Summer is here with me, she might want to hear this.”
