Final Hours

by Cate Dean

  “Okay.” She dropped her hand and stepped toward the woman who held the pistol. Colette—remember, she’s a person, just doing her job. The thought didn’t help. “I’ll go with you. Please put that away—there’s no need for it. I won’t resist, and Mac won’t either.” She glanced at him, shook her head slightly.

  He held up both hands. “What she said.”

  After endless seconds, the guard lowered her pistol, and Elizabeth nearly sagged in relief when she holstered it. “I will have to restrain you, miss. Procedure,” she said, moving to block Mac before he could grab Elizabeth. “Hands behind you, miss.”

  Elizabeth obeyed, stilled when the woman lifted her hair and draped it over her shoulder, and flinched when cold metal closed over her wrists. Just a misunderstanding. She kept repeating it as Colette led her down the hallway, a firm grip on her arm. The other two stayed behind with Mac, probably to keep him from coming after Elizabeth. It’s just a misunderstanding.

  She wanted to believe that—had to believe it. Because if it was something serious, she had no one to stand up for her.

  ~ ~ ~

  Dr. Kinimoto waited in in a small, private room, with half a dozen Security guards lined up along the walls. Not a good sign.

  Colette had been gentle with Elizabeth, matching her pace as she guided Elizabeth through the facility. She didn’t talk, except to give quiet instructions. Because of her care, Elizabeth managed to stomp down the anxiety. Until now.

  It came roaring back and lodged her breath in her throat. She stared at the ground, focused on breathing slowly.

  “Elizabeth Barritt.” Dr. Kinimoto’s curt tone snapped her head up. Black eyes narrowed behind the glasses as she scrutinized Elizabeth. “I had the routine background check done on you. Did you not think we would discover what you are?”

  “What I—what?”

  Dr. Kinimoto tapped the corner of her tablet. The wall in front of them flickered, turning into a giant screen. What looked like a file popped up, with a laundry list of crimes and wanted by notices. “My agent was a convenient escape for you, wasn’t he? It looks like there are very few places for you to hide. Worse, you brought the bloody tool of your trade into my home.”

  One of the guards stepped forward, holding Elizabeth’s suede jacket. She swallowed, remembered the knife just before he removed it. Kane’s blood stained the blade, and if they hadn’t already done a DNA test on it, the results would just pile on her supposed guilt.

  “I can explain—”

  “I believe the evidence explains everything for you. That is Kane’s blood.” Elizabeth closed her eyes. “You injured him, and used him to flee your own pursuit. Isn’t that the real story?”

  “No—I—”

  “Another word, murderer, and I’ll have you gagged.”

  Elizabeth recoiled at the fury in Dr. Kinimoto’s voice. She stared at the screen, waiting for the words that would condemn her, lock her up where Kane couldn’t find her, couldn’t help her—

  She froze as her gaze found the reason for their insane accusations. There, in the top left corner of the file. It was her name, all right. But they were looking at the wrong Elizabeth.

  “Dr. Kinimoto.”

  The woman turned on her. “What did I just say?” She pointed at Colette, who still held Elizabeth. “Gag her.”

  Panic threatened to close her throat. “Please—” She jerked away from the hand reaching for her mouth. “That’s not my last name.”

  The doctor blinked at her, obviously expecting any response but that one. “You told me your last name is Barrett.”

  “It is Barritt—but with an I, not an E.”

  “I—you are not—” Elizabeth shook her head. “Give me a second.”

  She tapped furiously on her tablet, and a dizzying number of images flashed across the giant wall screen. They slowed down, until a giant version of Elizabeth’s horrifying DMV photo popped up.

  “Elizabeth Barritt,” Dr. Kinimoto said, reading her tablet. “No wants, no warrants, no record.” She looked up at Elizabeth.

  “That would be me. Plain, ordinary, boring me.”

  “Please remove her restraints.” Colette had already freed her by the time Dr. Kinimoto finished her request. “Please forgive the misunderstanding—”

  “Beth!” Kane burst into the room, wearing an unbuttoned shirt and the blood streaked uniform trousers. In two steps he was across the small room, his hands warm as they engulfed her bare shoulders. “Beth—are you all right?”

  Beth. No one had ever called her that. She liked the way it sounded, in his deep, accented voice.

  “Yes.” She was more than all right. Yet again, this stranger’s touch wrapped her in a sense of safety she never remembered having in her life. “It was a misunder—”

  “What the bloody hell were you thinking?” Kane put himself between her and Dr. Kinimoto. “She saved my life—”

  “We thought she was a murderer.”

  The answer seemed to inflame his temper. “You treat an innocent woman like a common criminal, when Guy is out there, doing only God knows what to try and rewrite the past.”

  Elizabeth gasped, stumbled backward until her shoulder smacked into the wall. Kane turned around, his hand out to stop anyone else in the room from approaching her. He did all the approaching, so close she could feel his body heat through her thin cotton shirt. His scent surrounded her, a clean, woodsy smell, like the forest after it rained. It calmed her as much as he did.

  “Hi.” His low voice warmed her. She tilted her head, met his pain dark grey eyes.

  “Hi.”

  “Feeling all right? Not anxious, or—”

  “Panicked?” Her heart tripped when he smiled at her. She didn’t think she—no, she had never reacted to a man’s smile like that. At twenty seven, her love life had been less than satisfying. “I have it under control. Thank you for coming to my rescue again, Jackson Kane.”

  The reactions from the rest of the people in the room startled her. Dr. Kinimoto looked shocked, and the guards acted like they’d never heard Kane’s first name before.

  He leaned in, his breath warm as he whispered against her ear. Heat shot through her. Dangerous heat. “No one here uses my first name.”

  Elizabeth jerked back, looked up at him. “I’m sorry if I—”

  “No harm done, Beth.” He stepped away, turning to Dr. Kinimoto. Elizabeth wanted to follow, to stay inside the warmth he radiated. Instead she kept herself against the wall. This was not her time, her world. She would not become attached to a man who technically hadn’t been born yet. “I will assume she is free to go. You can make your apologies later, Chelssie. I am tired, and my shoulder is screaming nasty things at me.”

  He headed for the door, grabbed Elizabeth’s right hand as he walked past her. She held on, double stepping to keep up with his much longer stride. “You should be in bed, you know,” she said. “It wasn’t that long ago that you were bleeding all over a London street.”

  The corner of his mouth twitched. “Is that an invitation?”

  “No—I didn’t mean—I’m not—” Stumbling over her own words, she tried to free herself. Kane simply tightened his grip and kept walking. “I’m not good at the whole flirting thing, so I wouldn’t know if I was actually, um, flirting.”

  Elizabeth didn’t think she could embarrass herself more than she already had. Nothing like proving herself wrong.

  When Kane led her around the corner, she was too busy berating herself to notice he stopped—until she ran straight into his chest. His bare chest. Faster than she thought possible she leaped backward. His slow smile told her just how much she amused him.

  “You will know you’re flirting, Beth.” He leaned in, so close she could feel his breath on her lips. The same dangerous heat shot through her. “When a man can’t take it any longer and tosses you on the nearest flat surface.”

  “How—romantic.”

  His shout of laughter had her smiling, and feeling—smug. She like
d it, too much. Found herself already liking him, too much. Impossible—everything about him was impossible, too good to be true, and every other cliché she could come up with.

  Kane took her hand and led her to what she recognized now as the medical wing. His steps slowed when they got closer, until he finally stopped, feet from the main door.

  “Beth.” He studied their joined hands, light winking off his earring. It fascinated her that he wore one, and she wondered about the story behind it. “I wanted to thank you for what you did. Not many people would trust a complete stranger enough to potentially sacrifice their own life.”

  “You were injured protecting me. I couldn’t leave you there.”

  He finally met her eyes. “Most would have.”

  “That’s a jaded view of the world.” One she understood, because she shared it.

  “Side effect of growing up without family.”

  Her heart skipped, and started up again, a painful throbbing against her ribs. Her free hand crept up to rub the gold heart at her throat. “You’re an orphan?” No wonder he understood her—he had been through the same hell.

  “It is a condition of the job. No one to miss you, in case something fatal happens.” He squeezed her hand. “Because of you, I avoided that fate. At least this time.”

  Elizabeth watched him move in close, and held her breath, afraid he would kiss her. Wanting him to kiss her. He did—on her forehead. Like a father might soothe his child. She let out a sigh, relieved and disappointed.

  It was for the best. She would never see him again once they sent her home. Not that she wouldn’t think about him, more than was good for her. Or draw his arresting face, over and over.

  Exhaustion hollowed out that face now, and he looked more fragile than he did when he was wounded and bleeding.

  “You need to finish what you started with that machine,” she said. “Mac told you about them hauling me off, didn’t he?”

  “Your lucky guess is correct. Mac all but yanked me off the table.” He smiled down at her. It faded quickly. “I will be off the rotation for now, so I will have time enough to rest while Mac hunts down Guy. I want to see that you are sent home first.” He reached for her, and flinched when he raised his right arm. “Damn it.”

  “Kane.” Gently, she lowered his arm, held on to his wrist to keep him from using it again. “You’re bleeding.” He glanced down, cursed again at the blood staining his shirt. “Come on—you’re headed for a soft bed.”

  “You need to return—”

  “I can wait.” She focused on his wrist. “I don’t have anyone to miss me, either.”

  Warm fingers cupped her chin, applied pressure until she met his eyes. She wanted to cry at the kindness, the understanding she saw there. “Why didn’t you tell me you were an orphan?”

  “The pity response. I didn’t want you to—” Elizabeth closed her eyes briefly, forcing back the tears that threatened. “I didn’t want you to look at me that way.”

  “Elizabeth.” His hand slid up to cradle her cheek. “I will never look at you with anything less than awe. You have no idea, do you, how strong you are under that beautiful façade.” She swallowed. “If I may, I would humbly ask another favor of you.”

  “Okay,” she whispered, surprised any sound made it through her tight throat.

  “Would you sit with me a while? I will rest easier, knowing you are safe.”

  “Of course.” What he didn’t say screamed through her mind. Guy could come back at any time—and he would not be happy to see her. “As long as you actually do the resting part.”

  Kane kissed her again, this time on her cheek. “Deal.” He touched her locket. “Family memento?”

  “My mom’s.” She found herself reaching up for it again, and dropped her hand. “I don’t even like gold, or hearts, but I can’t seem to put it aside.”

  “It was a part of her.” His fingers brushed her cheek. “Holding on to our past is not always a negative thing.”

  He led her down the hall, his hand warm on hers. She never wanted to let go.

  When they walked into Medical, techs swarmed around Kane, pushing her aside until she stood alone. She found an empty chair and lowered herself to it, every inch aching and exhausted.

  “Hey.” Mac stood next to her, a sweater in his hand. “You look worn thin, sweetheart. Why don’t I find you a bed?”

  “Thank you.” She took the sweater and slipped it on. The decadently soft cashmere warmed her chilled skin almost immediately. “I promised Kane I’d sit with him, once he finally gave up and actually got into a bed.”

  “Then I’ll find you a soft, squishy chair to curl up in. Up you get.” He lifted her to her feet, tucked one hand in the crook of his arm. “Are you hungry? Can I get you anything to eat or drink?”

  “Maybe some water. Would it be possible to get some paper and a pencil? Scratch paper would be fine,” she said. “But if you can’t, it’s not a—”

  “Paper and pencil. I believe I can scrounge some up for you.” Mac led her to the door on the other side of the room, and into what looked like a hospital.

  “Mac—what are you doing here?” A woman in blue nurse’s scrubs stepped out from behind a waist high desk. “Oh—is this her? The one who brought Kane back? He’s waiting for you, last room on the left. No,” she grabbed Mac’s free arm, halting him. “You’re not invited.”

  “But I’m—”

  “Whatever you’re fetching for her can be left at the desk. I’ll make sure she gets it. You know the rules, Mac. Now shoo.”

  “Fine.” He turned to Elizabeth. “You need anything, sweetheart, send me a message through the dragon lady.”

  “Funny.” The nurse waved her hands at him, fighting a smile. “Go—I know you’re on shift. Don’t get on Dr. K’s hit list over something like this. I’ll take good care of Kane’s woman.”

  Elizabeth blushed. “I’m not—”

  “Right. You can sort it out later. He won’t sleep until he sees you.” She took Elizabeth by the arm and all but marched her down to the end of the hall. “I’m Carrie, by the way. Thank you for bringing Kane home—he’s one of our best.”

  Before Elizabeth could recover enough to reply, Carrie opened the door and pulled her inside. Kane sat on the edge of the bed, thankfully covered this time in a white version of the scrubs Carrie wore. A bulge on his right shoulder told Elizabeth his wound had been tended. Now all she had to do was talk him into bed.

  “Beth—”

  Carrie pointed at Kane and talked over his protests. “You, in bed. She’ll stay, as long as you have your head on that pillow. Understand?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He winked at Elizabeth before he eased himself down to the bed. A gasp escaped him when his right shoulder touched the bed, and he sounded out of breath as he spoke again. “Satisfactory?”

  Carrie crossed her arms. “For now.” She pushed off the doorway. “There’s a chair in the corner, Elizabeth. I’ll find something more comfortable and have it brought in.”

  “Thank you.”

  The door closed behind her, and they were alone. No imminent danger, no distractions. Elizabeth covered her nerves by pulling the padded chair over to the side of the bed. She sat, carefully adjusted the sleeves of her borrowed sweater, smoothed her hands over her jeans. Anything to avoid the clear grey eye she knew watched her every move.

  “Beth.”

  “Yes?”

  “I’ll not bite.”

  Her head snapped up. “I didn’t think—”

  “I was hoping you were.” He flashed her a smile. “If I weren’t so full of medication, I’d have a taste.”

  Her eyes widened. “You—would?” Part of her really wanted him to try. And that startled her almost as much as the thought of him—tasting her.

  “Unfortunately, I have far too much pumping through me to do more than grin and drool.”

  Laughter burst out of her. Once again, he smoothed over her nerves. “Get some sleep. I’ll be right here when
you wake up.”

  His smile looked a little lopsided, his eyes glassy. “Hold my hand, pretty girl?”

  Elizabeth couldn’t resist him, not like this. She scooted the chair closer, took his right hand, and twined their fingers together. With a contented sigh, Kane closed his eyes. It took less than five minutes for him to fall asleep, the pain on his face finally easing.

  “Oh, Kane.” She studied his face, memorized it, drew it in her mind. “How am I ever going to forget you?”

  Three

  When Kane opened his eyes, Elizabeth was the first thing he saw.

  Curled up in one of the office armchairs, she bent over a small spiral notebook, the pencil flying across its surface. Lamplight gilded the blonde hair that cloaked her shoulders, caressed the curve of her cheek. She sat with her feet tucked under her, and the tight jeans she wore cupped every lean, shapely inch of her legs.

  God help him—she was beautiful, courageous, delicate. Completely untouchable.

  He shoved down the need to reach out, to feel her soft skin under his fingers again, to draw in the sweet, subtle lavender scenting that skin—

  He cut off the thought, and any attached to it. She had to go back to the safety of her own time, forget anything about Guy. About him.

  But he remembered the way those graceful fingers cradled his cheek, touched his scars, as if they didn’t matter to her.

  Most women of his acquaintance liked to pretend his scars didn’t exist, or distastefully accepted that they came with the package. Those same women were only after him for the money he inherited from his guardian, along with the title he tried to forget he had. Elizabeth had been a refreshing change, since she knew nothing beyond what she learned from him.

  He did not want her knowing the truth, did not want to see the gleam of ambition fill those dark blue eyes. If her life in the system had been anything like his, she would want an easy second half to her life. She would have deserved it, earned it. Though it was an impossible dream, Kane wanted to be the one to give it to her.