That answer seemed to satisfy Carter, and Hadley realized that it might be what she ended up going with when she spoke to Ferguson. The idea of being in the same room with Strickland again sent chills up her spine. As a psychiatrist, she was all about facing your fears, but when it came to a man who wanted to eat you, maybe it was okay to accept the fear and move on.
They talked a little more about Lydia and Kamden after that, and what Carter and his pack mates would be doing to help. Soon enough, though, the long day started catching up with her and she found herself talking less and listening more.
When Carter turned on the TV, picking some Star Trek show that Hadley had seen advertised but had never watched, she gave into temptation, curling her feet up and scooting close to Carter. Hadley knew she should probably leave before she got too tired to drive home safely, but honestly, she was too comfortable to move right now. After the crap day she’d had, this was exactly what she needed.
She hadn’t realized she’d fallen asleep until Carter gently shook her shoulder. “You need to get some sleep, but I don’t think you should be driving. I’m more than willing to take you home or you can stay here tonight. Your call.”
Hadley knew what her answer should be. Coming here had already broken more professional rules of conduct than she could count. Sleeping over at a patient’s house would be career suicide and stupid to boot.
But at the same time, the thought of going back to her empty apartment made her stomach clench all over again. If she went home, she’d probably never be able to fall asleep. Instead, she’d be stuck on her couch in a brightly lit living room, drinking coffee to stay awake and waiting for the sun to come up.
“I’d rather sleep here if you’re okay with that,” she said softly. “I don’t really want to be alone. Besides, your couch is surprisingly comfortable.”
“Of course, I’m okay with that. But you aren’t sleeping on the couch,” Carter said with a snort. “You take the bed.”
She considered arguing but knew it’d be a losing battle. So instead, she nodded and let him help her to her feet. Halfway down the hallway, she stopped and turned to look at him. “Thank you. For talking to me. For letting me stay here. And for giving up your bed. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me tonight.”
Hadley didn’t wait for him to say anything but turned back around and walked into the bedroom. With the door slightly ajar, there was enough light coming from the hallway, so she didn’t bother flipping the switch. Going straight over to the bed, she slid under the covers and snuggled her face into Carter’s pillow. As her eyes adjusted, she glanced around the darkened room to see a lot of photo frames mounted on the walls, along with a bookcase full of knickknacks.
She was so exhausted that she should have been asleep within seconds. But as she heard Carter turn on the shower, she realized the flashbacks of Strickland’s attack weren’t going to let her rest. The moment she closed her eyes all she saw were bloody fingers around her wrist and teeth ready to sink into her flesh.
Shuddering, she pulled the blanket closer, trying to get the image out of her head. But it did no good. Thankfully, Carter’s soft knock on the bedroom door interrupted her nightmarish musings.
“I just wanted to say good night,” he said, poking his head into the room. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Actually…” She hesitated, then hurried on before she could stop herself. “I know this is a big ask, but would you mind sleeping with me so I’m not freaking out all night?”
Carter hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Of course.”
A moment later, he was climbing into the bed beside her. His presence should have been enough, but Hadley found herself snuggling closer until her back was against his, sighing as his body heat warmed her.
“Goodnight, Hadley,” he said softly.
“Goodnight, Carter.”
And just that fast, she was asleep.
* * * * *
When the jarring sound of a phone’s ring tone yanked Carter out of sleep, it took a couple seconds to realize it wasn’t his phone making all the noise. His cell was set to play the theme to that 70s TV show S.W.A.T. The stuff coming from the living room was some kind of classical music. He assumed that meant it was Hadley’s.
Carter glanced down at her lying in his arms, suddenly remembering everything that had happened last night.
He’d almost lost it when he smelled Hadley approaching his door. The fact that he’d been able to smell her strawberry and vanilla scent through the door with his nose was remarkable, but realizing there was blood mixed with her unique scent had nearly sent him into an uncontrolled shift. He’d nearly done it again when she’d detailed what had happened at the prison. But he guessed that any evening ending with a beautiful woman in his bed couldn’t be considered all bad. If so, he’d take it in every case.
Another ring of classical music came from out in the living room, this one jerking Hadley awake. For a moment, Carter hoped she’d ignore it, enjoying the feel of her in his arms, her body against his, but she was already stumbling out of bed, mumbling something about it possibly being an emergency.
Not sure what kind of emergency a psychiatrist might have at four o’clock in the morning, Carter watched Hadley scramble out of the bedroom, deciding she looked much better in his shorts and T-shirt than he ever did. He rolled onto his back on the bed, trying not to think about what she looked like. Of course, trying to not think about it made him think about it even more.
Groaning in frustration, he focused on the sounds coming from the living room. He hated the idea of eavesdropping, but when the alternative was thinking about Hadley naked, he’d live with the guilt. An omega’s hearing wasn’t as good as an alpha’s, but he still couldn’t miss when the person on the other end of her phone said something about prisoners escaping. He didn’t catch any names, but from the way her heart started pounding, he knew she was upset.
Carter was up and out of bed in a flash, hurrying quickly into the living room to find Hadley sitting on the couch, her face pale and her breathing coming in rapid, shallow pants. She wasn’t talking much, but now that he was closer to the phone, he was able to hear the man on the other end quite clearly. He wanted Hadley to meet him at the SWAT compound.
“What happened?” Carter asked, sitting beside her as she hung up.
“That was Agent Ferguson from the FBI,” she said, her eyes glazed with more than just sleep now. “Strickland and seven other inmates escaped from Coffield Unit last night.”
“Shit,” Carter muttered.
