“I took everything from the other bag at Fabian’s,” I confirmed, not keen to relay the way I’d also inadvertently dropped our temporary landlord in trouble in the process.“It’s all there.”
“The bag will be safe with us for now,” he assured me.“Push it under the bed a little before you join me.”
I moved without overthinking, sliding the overnight bag under the hospital bed and, dodging the relevant wires, sprawling out at his side.I doubted the nurse who seemed so keen on him would be pleased to find me mingled with the cables, but I was too overwrought to care.Every time I thought we’d overcome the worst the world had to throw at us, some new, darker challenge lurked around the corner.
It was as if there was never going to be an end to it.
“Thanks for getting the bag, little girl.It’s good to know our things will be safe with you.”
“You’re welcome.”The truth was, it was a relief to finally have something to contribute to our pairing.Aside from my submission, it increasingly seemed as though Harper brought everything else to the table.“I’ll look after it.”
“Thank you.”He pressed a kiss to the top of my head.“Whatever happens, I love you.”
“I love you, too.”Sniffing back my emotion, I wrapped an arm around his abs.“I just didn’t expect any of this stuff with the police and the ICC.”
“No,” he agreed.“We didn’t really think through the consequences of our choices when we left, did we?”
“We didn’t have a choice.”It seemed to be a common theme.“We had to go.”
“None of it changes who we are, though, Caroline.Or, how we feel.I want you to remember that.”
His fingers raked softly through my hair, and I cringed at the prospect of the lank strands he’d find.I’d so enjoyed being able to shower with him those last few days at the house, but cleanliness in Swiss detention was all too reminiscent of the captivity I’d endured.Not as awful, obviously—not as sordid and degrading and brutal—but still, a reminder of someone with no real agency in her life.
“I know.”I kissed the side of his horrible hospital gown.“I just can’t lose you, Sir.I can’t...”
“I’m not going to let that happen.”There was such certainty in his voice, his authority reminding me once again of the strong, self-assured man I’d first fallen for.
“And if they make you go?”I risked a glance in his direction.
“Then I’ll expect a guaranteed exit.”
“But the ICC doesn’t have that authority,” I countered.“It’s made up of member states, Sir.There’s no army that can go in and retrieve you if it all goes wrong.”
“They won’t want me dead, either, so they’ll have to find a way to look after me.”His thumb shifted to stroke the side of my face, rubbing hypnotic circles against my skin.“I’m no good to them in a body bag.”
“Don’t.”I glanced away, unable to process such a dreadful outcome.
Whatever was left of me after months of ordeals in Fortorus revolved around Adam Harper.If I was forced to choose between worst-case scenarios, I’d rather have seen him imprisoned than dead.
“I’m just being honest.”
“Yeah, well...”I turned to kiss the tip of the thumb caressing my cheek.“I guess I’ve seen too many people in body bags in the last year.I won’t let that become your fate, too.”
“Oh,you won’t let itbe my fate?”His teasing tone was accompanied by a smile.
“No.”I knew he was only playing, but I’d rarely been more serious.“If anything happens to you, I swear I’ll find a way to bring that pretentious little prick down, Sir.”
I had no idea how I could possibly follow through with the intention, but stretched out beside him, I was absolutely resolved to the vow.Ian Jackson had taken so much from me already; my liberty, my property, my chances of happiness at home—he wasn’t having my man, as well.
No.Fucking.Way.
His grin faded.“Don’t say things like that.”
“You don’t think I could, Sir?”I rose on one elbow, meeting his eyes in the low light.
“I have no doubt you’d try, little girl.”His hand fell to my shoulder.“That’s what worries me.I didn’t risk everything to get you out of there only for you to go back in and try to do something gallant on my behalf.”
“But that’s how I feel,” I implored him.“We just got out of Britain.I can’t bear the idea of you going back.”
