“Greta, is the chief in?” she asked when the other woman’s voice came over the line.
“Sure, hon, just a second.”
There was blank silence and then the chief’s gruff voice sounded in Regina’s ear.
“Regina, how are you today?”
“Much better, sir. How is the investigation going?”
“We wrapped up at your house. Still waiting for a report on the explosive used in your vehicle. Preliminary suggests a homemade job, nothing professional. We’re in the process of questioning your neighbors and investigating the connection between this guy and you, Birdie, Hutch and Misty Thompson, if there is one.”
“Sir, is it possible that my parents could be at risk as well? Whether this guy is targeting me, them or Hutch or someone else entirely, they would be likely victims.”
“Already on it. Your father is spitting mad, but he’d already agreed to double the security around him and your mother.”
She shook her head and rolled her eyes. “I wanted to let you know that I was leaving town, possibly for a couple of days. I’m going to Houston with Cam, Sawyer and Hutch. They have some work to do, and I thought leaving the area might be a good idea.”
The chief made an approving sound. “Let me know when you roll back in. Depending on what we dig up in our investigation, we’re going to need to question Hutch and possibly Cam and Sawyer.”
“Will do.”
“Take care of yourself, Regina.”
She hung up and glanced guiltily at the door. Then with a firm shake of her head, she stood and brushed away any lingering doubts. Keeping the people she loved safe wasn’t something she’d ever apologize for.
She walked out of the office and hadn’t gotten two steps down the hall when she nearly ran into Cam. She froze and stepped back, hoping he hadn’t been close enough to overhear her conversation.
“Hey,” he said in a soft voice as his hands came to cup her shoulders. “I need to talk to you a second.”
Her brows rose, and her pulse sped up as uncertainty gripped her.
He moved one hand to cup her cheek. “Stop looking so worried.”
He turned her around and ushered her back into the office, shutting the door behind them.
“You’re the one who looks worried,” she said. And he did. There was concern in his eyes, an edge of uncertainty grooved into his forehead.
He reached out to touch her again, his hands sliding up her arms to her shoulders.
“We didn’t use protection last night, Reggie. I’m such an idiot. Are you on something?”
Relieved, she relaxed under his hands. “I’m on birth control, Cam. I get a shot every three months.”
He frowned. “Are those effective? I mean is it as safe as using condoms?” He dragged a hand through his hair. “I could kick my ass over this. I should have done more to protect you, to take care of you.”
She smiled and reached out to touch his cheek. “Stop. I honestly didn’t think about it either at the time. I mean I didn’t go downstairs with the sole intent of seducing you. But if you’re asking if I’m safe . . .”
He shook his head sharply. “That’s not what I was asking. It’s just that this didn’t come up before . . . when we had sex before. We all used condoms then.”
“Condoms aren’t foolproof either, you know,” she said dryly.
“I know,” he said quietly. “I just didn’t want to make you pregnant. I’d never force something on you that you weren’t ready for.”
She walked into his arms, pressing herself against his chest. “About the condoms, Cam. Is there any reason, any health reason for you . . . any of you to need to wear one?”
He pulled her away to stare down into her eyes. “I suppose this is a conversation we all need to have together.”
She nodded. “If we’re really going to do this . . .” She sighed and rubbed her face, feeling a little ridiculous. It was hard to shake. “If this is what we’re going to do, the relationship that we’re going to share . . .”
