“I had an enormous panic attack,” he admitted.
“Are you able to put the why into words?” Tim took the towel from him.
Troy brought a shaky hand to his forehead. “Crowd control. Everybody is here. I know they’re worried, and they care so much. I can’t be together for them. I can barely be together for me.” Troy’s breaths slowed.
“Don’t,” Mac said. “You have one person to worry about—you.”
“May I call Trask? We can organize a plan,” Tim asked.
Troy nodded.
Shortly, Trask entered, worry etched on his face. “Boss, what do you need?”
Tim pointed for Trask to sit.
“I…I need your help. There are too many potential visitors. Could you run an op so they don’t realize they’re being controlled?” Troy sounded shaky.
“No more worrying. I’ve got it. Dan Bishop is running floor control. Gavin Anderson is off pain meds and insisting on working. Both have good people skills,” Trask said. “Pre-op? Gwen, senior executives, Ian, Kieran, your mom and sisters?”
“I love my family, but small doses.” Troy looked down.
“Troy, this is self-preservation. Don’t feel guilty,” Mac insisted.
“Post-op, I’m taking control based on how you’re doing. Gwen is soothing. Pick one exec who can report to everyone, your immediate family, short visits. A PA will be with you around the clock, as well as Trask for day hours. There’s your crowd control. If your pulse or BP rises for more than five minutes, they’re gone,” Tim said.
Troy’s color began to improve. “Thanks.”
“You want us to stay?” Tim asked.
“Just Trask. We need to go over a few things.” Troy rolled his shoulders.
Alone with Troy, Trask asked, “Name it.”
“I wanted to talk to you. You’ve been a phenomenal support, hell, friend to me. I saw you step in front of me with Colonel Hurst, and you did it while on Bravo Team, and here—you’ve babysat me through my panic attacks. What I’m trying to say is your good work is not unnoticed.” Troy stood and walked to his desk. “Here are six trust accounts, one in each of your children’s names. If they choose to go to college and maintain at least a 3.0, they have access to the trust. If they don’t go to college, they have access at age twenty-five. By the time they become of age, each account will hold five hundred thousand dollars.”
Trask blanched. “This is too much.” His hands shook as he accepted the envelopes, his eyes moving from Troy’s face to the envelopes over and over.
“You’re not being punked.” Troy laughed. “Winslow, who am I?”
“Troy.” Trask’s voice quivered.
“And what do I do?” Troy rolled his hand, indicating for him to continue.
“Assistant executive director of CSI San Diego,” Trask said with a little more surety.
“Good, we’ve established I’m your boss. Now, go home, have dinner with your family. Thank your wife for her sacrifice.”
Chapter 47
The sun looked like it was riding on the waves. Gwen rested against Troy’s body as they looked out onto San Diego Bay. “I need you to promise me you’ll listen to the doctors,” he said.
“I need to sit and rest. The swelling to my face is down a lot. Tylenol and ice pops cover any pain. And the surgery site doesn’t bother me. My plan is to listen to books on Audible and knit an afghan. Plus, Scott and my dad are staying until the doctors clear me.
“Now you, sir,youneed to listen to the doctors. I’ll do my best to make sure your mother doesn’t upset anyone. My dad is really good with her. I think he finds her funny.”
“Gwendolen, please don’t go there.” He turned her to face him and cupped her bruised face. He slanted his mouth and feathered his lips against hers.
Gwen disregarded any pain and deepened the kiss. She devoured his mouth, projecting her desires, hopes, dreams and love into one kiss. Her tongue tasted his lips, pressing inside where she could explore his inner cheeks, his palate, and his tongue. She dueled, danced with and devoured him.
