Because someone tried to hurt you and every protective instinct I have is screaming that you’re mine to keep safe.
I couldn’t say any of that.
“Because you’re good at your job,” I said instead. “And because what happened tonight wasn’t your fault.”
She studied my face like she was looking for the lie. I let her look.
“Okay,” she said finally, so quietly I almost missed it. “Okay.”
“Get some rest,” I told her. “We’ll figure everything else out tomorrow.”
“You don’t have to stay,” she said, but her hand reached for mine again.
I took it. “I know.”
“Mr. Kolykos.” A nurse entered the room abruptly, wrecking that moment of intimacy. “We need to clean Ms. George. Please step out.”
“I’ll be right outside.”
“You should get a cup of coffee. She’ll be here a few more hours.”
“Fine. Where can I get one?”
“The café is down the hall. Take the first corridor on the right, then the next left.”
I followed the directions and found myself in a dour little room with vending machines and a cooler with sandwiches and salads.
“Café. Right,” I muttered. I poured a cup of coffee, black, and nearly gagged at the first sip. Not Vegas standards. I trashed the nearly filled cup.
My phone rang. Leo’s picture popped onto the screen.
“Conference call,” he said without preamble. “Ares is losing his shit. Hold on.”
A click, then Ares’s voice came through, tight with controlled fury. “Tell me she’s okay.”
“She’s stable,” I said. “Smoke inhalation, some burns on her hands from trying to put out the fire. They’re keeping her overnight for observation.”
“And you’re still there.” Not a question.
“Yes.”
“Orion—” Ares started.
“Don’t.” I cut him off. “We’re not having this conversation.”
A pause. Then Leo, diplomatically: “Security footage?”
“Nothing yet,” Ares said.
Damn.
“But why?” Leo said slowly. “She just arrived. Nobody even knows she exists yet.”
I shook my head because I had no answers.
“For what?” Leo’s frustration bled through. “Sabotage? Blackmail? This doesn’t make sense.”
“It will,” Ares said grimly. “Once we find the perp and make him talk.”
