“Don’t know yet,” Jethro said, taking the cup. “I need you to drive Gemma home. Now.”
Angus studied him, his eyessharp. “Nari?”
“Sure.” Nari moved toward Gemma. “We’re parked right outside. I’ll get you home toyour daughter.”
Jethro looked at Angus. “Where is everyone? We need somebody on them.”
Nari paused. “I’m on us.” She looked at Angus and shook her head. “Seriously.”
Agnus grinned. “Where is everyone? Let’s see. I’ve cut short vacations for the team and sent them to Oregon to investigate Monty Cameron. Wolfe and Dana are watching Trudy, Roscoe, and Kat.” He winked at Gemma. “The animals will occupy Trudy. Don’t worry.”
Gemma couldn’t finish a complete thought. “How are Ian and Oliver?”
Jethro rolled his neck. “They’re both tough and were breathing, so I’m sure they’ll be okay. I’d just like to know the extentof the damage.”
Agent Rutherford emerged from the nearest room. “As would I. Is it just me, or is it quite the coincidence your apartment blew up right before I obtained a warrantto search it?”
Jethro stiffened.
Angus pushed away from the wall. “This isn’t a good time, Rutherford.”
“It never is,” the agent said, his blond hair perfectly in place. “Who are the two men who almost died in your apartment?”
Jethro set his jaw and didn’t speak.
“Is there a reason you’d want them dead?” Rutherford prodded.
Jethro looked down at Gemma, his eyes glittering. “Go with Nari, please. Now.”
Nari grasped her arm. “Yeah, let’s get going. If these boys are going to fight, it’s better to get out of the way.” She patted Jethro’s arm. “Call us with updates on your friends.” Then she went up on her toes and kissed Angus on his jaw. “I’ll see you in a couple.” Launching herself into motion, she pulled Gemma down the hallway and out into the blustery night. “The truck is right there.”
The gray truck was waiting and already idling from remote start.
Gemma ducked her head against the cold and hustled behind Nari, jumping in the passenger seat and sighing as the heat filtered over her frosty skin. Then she put her head back, closed her eyes, and let her body finally relax and deal with the trauma of the bomb. She might’ve drifted off because it felt as if only minutes had passed when she opened her eyes to find they’d parked inside Serena’s garage. “Oh,” she mumbled, releasing her seat belt and all but stumblingfrom the truck.
Nari was there to steady her. “You okay?” Her dark eyes glowed with concern.
No. Not at all. “Yes, thank you.” Gemma straightened and walked toward the door, anxious to see Trudy. She moved through the laundry room to the kitchen, which smelled like casserole. Then she stopped short. Wolfe and Dana played cards at an oak table—the one that had been in Serena’s apartment. Her sofa and chairs were in the living room, and paintings were leaning against walls but hadn’tbeen hung yet.
“Hey,” Wolfe said, standing and stretching his back. “Trudy and Roscoe are asleep in her room.”
“Thank you,” she said, unable to stay and chat. She had to see Trudy. Her shoulders trembling, she hurried down the hallway into her daughter’s room.
Trudy snuggled in the middle of her Cinderella bed and Roscoe had flopped at her feet. He opened one eye, looked her over, thenshut it again.
The door from the kitchen closed, no doubt as Nari headed home to get some much-needed sleep. They all were running ragged and emotions were high.
Gemma reached her daughter and settled the blankets more securely around her. Trudy’s curly brown hair spread all over the pillow, and her little pink lips were slightly open in sleep. Her breathing was deep and steady and she seemed peaceful.
Every bone in Gemma’s body ached. She inhaled the smell of baby powder and crayons. Okay. So long as Trudy was safe, everything would be all right. She leaned over and petted Roscoe’s head. He snuffled and started snoring.
Gemma bit back a sob. The night had proven without a doubt that the world was dangerous and she was alone. But she didn’t have to be. Without asking for a single thing in return, an entire group of people she barely knew had made sure her daughter was safe. Wearily, she stood and walked out of the room and into hers, needing to check a bruise on her back. She wandered by the master bathroom and stopped short at seeing a rack of clothing hanging up in the closet. All new, with thetags still on.
Reaching out, she gingerly touched a silk suit. A gorgeous, blue, just-her-size suit.
“Jethro asked us to find clothing for you,” Dana said from the doorway, her hand on her slightly protruding belly. “The clothes you borrowed from Serena weren’t working for you.” She smiled, her eyes dancing.
“No, they weren’t,” Gemma agreed, her gaze caught on another blue sweater. “There’sa lot of blue.”
