Page 79 of Unexpected Complication

“Well, let’s face it. Once you puked on it, it was probably toast anyway.”

“I could have tried to fix it.”

Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, I started to laugh. Of course MacGyver would try to fix it. “It’s fine.” I kissed her again, brushing my lips over her forehead. “You won’t need it after tomorrow.”

“Why?”

I sat back down and lifted the bowl of soup, holding up the spoon. She shook her head.

“Why, Cian?”

“It’s all coming to a head, Kitten. Sean let me come see you so I would stop worrying and get my head in the game. Tomorrow—” I grabbed her hands, holding tight “—Frank is coming to get you and take you to where Julia is. I won’t see you until after this is over.”

“It’s just a couple of days,” she whispered. “Right?”

“It’ll be longer. I won’t be able to get to you until we deal with the aftermath is handled.”

“How long?”

I hesitated.

“How long, Cian?”

“It could be a few weeks.”

Her face fell, her shoulders hunching inward. “Oh.”

“You have to go, Skylar. I need to know you’re safe. If I’m distracted…”

She shook her head, squeezing my hands hard. “No, I understand. I’ll go. I don’t want you worrying about me.”

I smiled ruefully. “I’ll worry anyway, but not the same way.” I ran my knuckles over her cheek. “I’m always going to worry about you now, Kitten. I love you.”

“I love you.”

I reached for the bowl, but she shook her head. “I don’t want any more.”

“You need to eat.”

“I will. After you leave—I promise.” She moved over. “Can you just lie with me for a while? Hold me?”

I slid in beside her, pulling her into my arms. I could feel her body shaking, her grip tight. “Be brave for me, Kitten. Let me do what I have to, and I’ll come back to you.”

Her voice was small. “You promise?”

“Yes.” I lifted her chin, kissing her soft mouth. “You need someone to look after you. Who else is going to do it?”

She snorted. “I think you have that backward, fuckwit.”

I kissed her again.

She was right.

She slept, her hand still fisted on my shirt. My phone buzzed, and I checked the screen.

She OK?

I quickly replied.