“Have you seen Tina? Is she okay? Did you let her know about Moreno?”
The gleam in Dave’s eyes had told its own story.“She knows. She’ll be testifying too. Another nail in his coffin. And I’ll be right there beside her until he’s away permanently. I’m gonna help her get resettled in a better career. You need some sleep now. I’ll be around.”
Meg had simply nodded her thanks.
Now, she crept down the hall again and was pleased to see the head of the bed raised and Chris sitting up. He had a breakfast tray in front of him and was attempting to open his milk carton one handed; his left arm strapped tightly to his side.
“You know I can help you open that,” she teased lightly as she walked closer to the bed. “For a price.”
His crooked grin lit up his face and warmth filled her inside. What was she going to do now that they didn’t have to work and live together? How would she get by without his little stolen kisses by the pool and his hands caressing her skin? But would it end here or would he be staying in the safe house with her? Moreno had threatened him too. The thought of more time with Chris brought a smile to her face.
“A price, huh?” he retorted his eyes narrowing and lips pursing. “Not sure I could pay your price. I might have to forgo breakfast today.”
Pushing the tray away as best he could, he reached out for her hand and pulled her to sit next to him. Anxious eyes traveled over her. “How do you feel?”
She indicated her clothes versus his hospital gown and nodded. “Breaking out of here in a few minutes. Agent Doolittle is coming to get me. He said something about a safe house until Moreno’s trial. Are you going there too?”
* * * *
Chris frowned at her wistful tone, wishing he could, knowing he couldn’t. “I’ve got at least another day or two in solitary before they post bail.” He rolled his eyes moving his head back and forth. “Something about surgery and blood loss and rehab for my shoulder.”
Meg nodded, looking almost disappointed. She squeezed his free hand and said, “Thanks for coming in to rescue me yesterday. I wasn’t sure if anyone was listening yet. I don’t even want to think what would have happened if you hadn’t busted in when you did.”
Her voice cracked when she spoke and he lifted his hand to run through her hair and caress the side of her face. “I’m glad you’re all right. Although you never should have been in that situation to begin with. I never should have allowed you to go to work last night.”
She covered his hand with hers and assured him, “We’re both fine, though. Or we will be soon once all these bruises heal. You’ve got a nice shiner going there.”
Chris squinted his eyes and completely closed the one that was discolored. “Yeah, gotta say Moreno has a great right cross. And I’m thinking Sonny must have played soccer at some point if my ribs are any indication.”
“They aren’t broken, are they?”
“Broken, no,” he assured her. “Bruised and sore, yes. Another reason I can’t leave yet. There could be complications or infections that come along later. I’d give anything to get out of here though. I hate being laid up and the food stinks.” He glanced over at his tray.
“I’d offer to cook you something and bring it here but I don’t know what Agent Doolittle has in store for me. He said he didn’t want to take any chances of Moreno somehow getting to me before the trial.”
He grasped her arm firmly but gently. “He’s in prison right now and there’s no way any judge in his right mind will allow him out on bail. That doesn’t mean he still can’t manipulate some of his henchmen from where he is. But the Bureau will make sure to keep you safe until the trial, don’t worry. I’ll be checking that they do.”
“Who’ll be checking that you’re okay?”
“I’m a federal agent; I can take care of myself. But so you don’t worry, I’ll let you know that most likely I’ll be put on desk duty for a while. At least until this shoulder heals and possibly even until after the trial.” He glanced nervously at his shoulder and mumbled, “Not sure which one of those things will happen first.”
“The doctor told me he thought you’d make a full recovery with enough time and rehab,” Meg reassured him.
Maybe he’d use some of that time to check on his army buddies. Jack had gotten himself in a pickle with the mob and needed some help. The Bureau resources could come in handy.
Smiling at Meg, thankful for her presence here, he vaguely recalled her being around last night and feeling horrible that she’d been hurt. He still felt horrible, or maybeguiltywould be a better word. Protecting her had been his job and he hadn’t done it well enough. The idea of anything bad happening to her didn’t sit well with him.
It might take months to get a trial date set for something this big and he needed to stay professional in his dealings with her during this time. The fact he’d be back in Baltimore and she’d still be down here in Florida would make it easier to stay away.
Her pretty face was marred by the bruises and bandages, but even those couldn’t hide her loveliness. She was beautiful both inside and out, no matter how much she tried to hide it.
“Make sure you’re a good little girl for the agents who are assigned to watch you,” he teased her and she frowned at him. But her eyes crinkling at the corners told him she was pleased he was joking with her. “I don’t want to hear you’re giving them any trouble, though I’m not sure you know any other way.”
Her eyes lit up even more as she feigned being insulted, “I’m always a good girl. It might have been you that brought out the worst in me. Or maybe it was that you couldn’t handle me.”
She was something. “I don’t think there are too many people whocanhandle you, sweetie. I might need to give the guys a few tips.”
Her gaze rose to the ceiling in thought. “Make sure they always have a good, hearty meal waiting for me and I won’t have any problems at all. I’m easy to please.”
