“Nathan, I trust you to do what’s right.” She takes a deep breath. I hate that she looks so sad. “Whatever you decide… I’m here for you.”
I’ve promised to keep her and Natalie safe, and part of being safe is not worrying about me. But can I do that and also do what’s right?
“They need me,” I croak. “I can help.” I hate myself.
“Okay.” A tear falls down her cheek. She sniffs.
She clears the table and takes my hand, guiding me to the bedroom. A clean pair of boxers lies on the quilt. I fumble with my shirt, struggling to pull it over my head. Giving up, I lean toward my side of the bed.
“Here,” she whispers. She steadies me and pulls the shirt over my head. Then she helps me with my pants and boxers and tucks me in. Sliding in beside me, she buries her face into the crook of my neck and starts combing her fingers through my hair.
She talks about random things, her tender voice coaxing me to sleep.
“I love you,” I whisper.
Her voice hitches, then she sings to me.
“Time to rise and shine.” Her sweet voice.
“Hmmm,” I mumble, prying open my eyes and glancing at the clock.
No alarm. Shit. She must have turned it off last night. If I don’t get to the docks on time, they’re going to leave my ass.
I jump out of bed. I consider skipping the shower, but instead I set the timer on my phone and haul butt.
Five minutes later, I’m ready to go. On my way to the door, I see the bacon and eggs and a steaming cup of coffee waiting for me on the table.
“You’re an angel.” I pick up the coffee and give her a quick kiss.
“Eat fast, sailor. You’ve got less than three minutes.”
When I put the empty dish in the sink, she presses the back of her hand against my forehead. “You look much better.”
“I have an excellent nurse.”
“But you’re still a little peaked. Take it easy today—nurse’s orders.” She wraps her arms around me and rests her head on my shoulder.
“I can’t wait to come home.” I lean down and kiss her goodbye, then grab my gear.I hope I have my keys,I think to myself as I storm out.
“Good luck,” she says with a laugh and closes the door behind me.
I take the RIB to the research ship and greet Scott and the rest of the crew on the deck. Why does everyone look like they’re in a bad mood?
“Still waiting,” Jamie grumbles. “Twenty minutes and counting.”
Margaret and Liam stand beside him, pissed.
And Sid’s scowling. She’s been keeping her distance from Scott since last night. He told her she might have to sit out on the thermal dives, and it hasn’t gone over well. She’s alone today, without her team.
I survey the vessel. It’s about two hundred and fifty feet long and resembles a naval ship. There’s a low hum of engines,and everything’s painted in stark whites and grays. The deck is covered with the functional features you’d expect on a research vessel, including ROV storage racks, an A-frame crane, and dive stations. Watertight doors line the bulkheads, sealing off the interior.
Margaret walks up to me, smiling, then she motions for me to bend down so she can whisper something in my ear.
“Your shirt’s inside out,” she says, then giggles and points to a door on the side of the interior.
Damn. This isn’t the impression I want to make in front of a Navy commander.
“What’s up with him?” I hear Jamie ask as I rush to the head.
