“Give me another chance. I won’t let you down, I promise.”
“You’ll stay with us every minute until Fowler is caught?”
“Yes.” He pulled her into his arms.
She didn’t resist but laid her head on his chest. He rested his chin on the softness of her hair and stroked her back. She snuggled closer, and the same protective urge he had for Jessie had him tightening his arms.
What was he doing? How could he get involved with Megan again?
How could he not?
She needed him more than ever, and he couldn’t walk away simply because he was afraid of his obvious feelings for her and her little girl.
“I’m not going anywhere. I promise I won’t let Fowler get to you,” he whispered the promise that was nearly impossible to keep.
One he would die trying to fulfill.
14
Reid’s cell rang. Megan jumped and pushed away from him. What had she been thinking by letting him hold her? She scooted a safe distance away. He’d held her, warm, strong, and yet tender, and she hadn’t wanted him to let her go.
What would she have done if his phone hadn’t rung? Hoped for more? For a future with him?
How had she let herself so easily fall into this man’s arms again? Sure, she was afraid of Fowler, but Reid had proved he wasn’t a man she could count on. Was it possible he changed? Could he now be depended on when the going got tough? Not one to run? It sounded like he stayed with his wife through her illness, and a man prone to bolting wouldn’t have. She knew that firsthand.
She studied him as he took the call. He’d clamped his hand on the back of his neck and bent forward, staring at the floor, phone to his ear. She admired his rugged profile, his wide and solid jawline.
Her heart rate picked up again. Just from looking at him. Unbelievable.
What’re you going to do here, Megan? Use your common sense and run. From your stalker and your protector, if you know what’s good for you.
“We’ll be right there,” he said into his phone and shoved it into his pocket. “That was Russ. Dr. Browne is with Ella, and she wants to talk to you. I’ll walk you to the room.”
He moved toward her, eyes intent on her face. She wanted to leave him behind and flee from her wayward feelings, but why? He would chase after her, and she wanted to be safe too. She stayed out of the way as he checked the hallway. He signaled, and she stepped out of the room.
Near the end of the hall, a man rounded the corner. They both jumped. Reid whipped out his gun before lowering it just as fast.
She identified the man as Micha. He held up his hands.
“I come in peace.” He laughed, doing nothing to ease the tension.
“What’s the word?” Reid asked him, not laughing. Not even smiling.
Micha’s smile fell. “Still searching for a safe place for them to go, but haven’t located the right location yet.”
Reid jammed his weapon back into the holster and flared his nostrils. “They can’t go to their house.”
Micha didn’t back down under Reid’s anger but pulled back his shoulders. “I’ll keep searching. Worst case, we go to plan B.”
“Which is?” Reid continued to stare at his teammate.
Micha shrugged. “I don’t know yet, but we’ll figure it out. We always do.”
Seemed to Megan that the men had forgotten she was standing here. “I need to go. The doctor’s waiting.”
She started off again and didn’t wait for Reid to follow. He would. And he did, coming up beside her near the corridor leading to Ella’s room.
“Slow down. Let me make sure it’s safe.” He slipped his hand around her elbow, and a shiver traveled over her arm.
