Wes blew out a harsh breath and crossed his arms over his chest. “You do realize that what you’ve been sitting on could have been very helpful in this case?”
She didn't acknowledge the question. More tears fell.
“Gwen, one more question. I don’t believe a strong woman like you, a general’s daughter, didn’t seek help. I think you found someplace to go. Where? I know you want to keep a confidence. How many more women and men have to be hurt?” Zach asked.
Gwen spun in her chair and walked to the window. She rocked up and down on her toes. “You need to protect the program.” She wrapped her arms around herself, her breathing increasing and her heart whooshing in her ears. “Eventide Harbor. It’s an underground program where military women can get support with domestic issues or issues with fellow troops.”
“You told someone at Eventide Harbor you wanted to leave Will,” Wes asked.
“Yes.” Facing Zach and Wes, tears began to rain down her cheeks. “They told me my deployment was my way out. Just to wait it out. It was difficult because he was a captain at the time.”
She paced in a circle. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I know I should have said something. Is that where they are finding their victims?” Gwen dropped to the floor and wept.
“Sh, sh, sh, you did well.” Wes crouched down and wrapped his arms around her.
Gwen never heard Zach leave the room. She calmed down and rested her head against one of the windows. Wes eased back and returned to his seat at the table, leaving her to her own thoughts. She felt so lost. All the things she buried were now an archaeological find, the shattered pieces of her life exposed for all to see.
She promised herself she’d get Troy through the surgery, then she would request a leave of absence and perhaps leave the company. There were too many secrets still buried. She didn't think she could recover from all that evil and pursue any kind of human relationships. Bringing her knees up to her chest, she rested her cheek on them and closed her eyes.
A noise came from behind her as a whiff of woodsy cologne tickled her nostrils. She lifted her head to see Troy standing over her, his eyes filled with warmth and, not that she was sure what love looked like, but she saw what she thought was love.
He extended his hand. “My beauty, there is nothing more in the world I'd rather do right now than sit on the floor with you and hold you in my arms. But if I do that, I will never get up without a crane today. Would you stand and let me hold you up here?” He tilted his head and gave her a sweet smile.
Shaking, she took his hand. The minute she was standing, he pulled her tightly into an embrace. “Troy, I'm so sorry. I should have told you sooner. I should have told the corps. I realize now there were so many things I never dealt with. And now that they're in the open, how could you want me?”
As he exhaled, his grip around her increased in strength. “Nothing about my feelings for you have changed. You are the same woman I fell for on an ambulance ride who teased me about being hungover when I was puking my guts up from nausea and pain. The same woman who almost beat up a physical therapist because she was sadistic and forcing me to open my jaw. The same woman who walked through ankle-deep horseshit to help me learn to keep my balance. Gwendolen, nothing you said today, nothing that happened to you yesterday, will affect how I feel. I am here for you today. I will be here tomorrow.
“I need your help. After the interview, you and I are gonna sit down and try to figure out what's going on. More and more, I think what happened to you overseas has something to do with what took place before you left. Zach gave me an overview. Later, the transcription will be ready.”
Gwen shook her head repeatedly. “I’m sorry.”
“Come, I’ll walk you to your office. I want you to rest for a little while.”
Chapter 31
After Gwen’s interview, he sat with her in her office. She lay on her couch with her head in his lap. Gently and repeatedly, he ran his fingers through her silken brown hair. “Now, my beauty, I want to hear about the rest of your day. You deserve some TLC.”
“I saw Drs. Sommerfeld and Miller. I went to my therapy session. I spoke with Wes and Zach. Along with Janice, we ran through the security for tonight. We wrote level-one operator schedules until one week after your surgery. We reviewed the surgical unit’s blueprints, including air ducts and stairwells. We also asked for background checks for any staff involved in your care, including maintenance and housekeeping.”
“You can share more than a summary with me. My shoulders are big.” He kissed her head.
“Troy, you have so much on your plate. I can’t add more,” she sniffed.
“Partners, Gwendolen.” His expression saidI know you are holding back more.
Her chest heaved with a sob. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Will and Eventide Harbor. I’m supposed to be a kickass operator, and I’m a cheap imitation. I let a man abuse me. No—men abuse me.”
“Youarea kickass operator. And you were abused by a group of men who have no respect for women. They took advantage of you. Sweetheart, I’d like you to reach out to Lily Black and Russ. Maybe they can find a rehab program to help you through some of this trauma. You don’t need to carry these suitcases all the time.”
With time, both fell asleep. Awakening, she reached up and stroked his face. His beard was soft against her fingers, his skin warm. “Troy…” Her voice was a caress.
He pulled her up and leaned her back to face him, smiling at her sleepy expression. He pressed his forehead against hers and closed his eyes. A conversation with Wes in Virginia replayed in his head:You have ten fingers and a mouth…
Exhaling, he lifted his head and gazed into her luminous green eyes, his desire overpowering his fears. He possessed her mouth in his next heartbeat. Clutching her shoulders, he released her mouth and nuzzled her with kisses across her jaw and down her neck. Easing her to a sitting position, he said, “I want you so.” He brushed her hair back from her neck before he inhaled her scent and placed another kiss.
Gwen stood up and wrapped her arms around herself.
“Gwendolen, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” He was stricken with doubt.
