Page 80 of Two Favors Repaid

“Of course I came for you.” He paused for a moment. It seemed wrong to tell her like this, but he had to get it out, everything he’d been thinking about since she disappeared. “I love you, Emma.”

She didn’t say it back, and he didn’t expect her to, but she was crying and smiling at the same time and holding on to his hand, so he took that as a good sign. Hell, it was probably the shittiest timing in the world on his part. But things being what they were, time might be the one thing they didn’t have.

Now I just need to figure out how to get you out of here.

“Rest for a little bit,” Rob said. “We’ll be out of here soon, I promise.”

“I don’t think you can promise that, Rob.” She looked at him sadly. “But I don’t need you to.”

She leaned her head against him. It was awkward each with a hand cuffed to that damn pipe, but it felt good to feel her next to him. He rubbed her arms gently. Her skin felt cold to the touch, but he didn’t have anything to cover her with.

Rob felt exhaustion catch up with him but knew he needed to stay alert. He looked down at his watch, the only thing Ford hadn’t thought of removing. It was almost midnight.

He wondered how long it’d been since Alma had mobilized help. He trusted Darryl to have his back and get them here as quickly as possible, but he didn’t know how long he and Emma had before Ford cracked. When that happened, all Rob could hope to do, trussed up the way he was, was try to keep Ford focused on him and gain more time for Emma.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked in a low voice.

He owed her the truth. As much of the truth as he could muster, at least.

“I know Natalie, Susan, and Darryl will be at the station, organizing the team. I trust them. After the time I’ve spent with the special agents, I trust them too. They’ll come for us.” He paused.

“You just don’t know when,” Emma said quietly.

He nodded, amazed at how perceptive she was. He debated whether to share the next thought with her or not then figured she deserved to know.

“Logic dictates they wait till first light. It’ll be safer for everybody involved.”

Assuming we survive the night.

Emma looked towards the door. Fear fluttered along her expression. Then she raised her chin defiantly. “Then we make sure to stay alive until they get here.”

“That’s kind of my line, sweetheart.”

She smiled and her entire face lit up. He wanted her to survive. Hell, he wanted both of them to survive. He wanted to wake up next to that smile every day for the rest of his life if she’d have him.

“Rest for a bit,” he said. “I’ll keep watch.”

“You’ll tell me later so I can do the same?”

“Yes,” he said. The small white lie rolled off his tongue before he was able to stop himself.

A few minutes later, he felt her body relax against his and her breathing evened out. He sat quietly, listening to her soft snores, counting out the minutes of silence.

Almost two hours later, Rob heard the front door to the cabin barge open. He tensed when he heard Ford’s grumbled complaint and the woman’s muted answer.

They’re back.

Chapter 30

Emma

Emma woke up with a start at the banging of the door. She tensed on Rob’s shoulder, amazed she’d managed to sleep at all.

“Emma,” Rob whispered.

Emma was silent for an instant, knowing if she were to open her mouth the only thing that would come out would be a wail.

“He’s back.”