After everyone finished their dessert, Joy and Sydney gathered the dishes and took them into the kitchen. Boone, Laura and Griffin remained at the table and talked about the Thunder, Oklahoma City’s NBA team.
Several minutes later, it seemed everyone was ready to call it a night. Sydney slipped on her burgundy coat, Boone rose and patted his flat stomach, putting on the suit jacket he’d removed before dinner. “Thanks for the meal, Laura. It was great.”
“I’m glad you liked it.” She started to get up and see him out, but he waved her back.
“No need for that. Syd and I will let ourselves out. See y’all in the morning.”
“All right.” Laura didn’t really want to think about tomorrow.
Griffin walked to the fireplace and knelt to pile in some of the wood stacked to the side. He waved as his colleagues left.
Joy went to her guest room to call Nolan on the new burner phone Griffin had provided. That left just Laura and Griffin.
A comfortable silence settled around them. She wanted to stay here and to spend more time with Griffin, but was that smart? Not according to the rule she’d made for herself after the debacle with Vin. Think with your head, not with your heart. She decided she didn’t care. This time tomorrow night, she’d be far away and this would all be a memory.
“You’re a great cook.” He looked at her over his shoulder.
“Thanks,” she said softly.
Before long the scent of wood smoke drifted through the room, mixed with the sugary smell of berries and cobbler. He reclaimed his spot on the sofa and toed off his work boots. Stretching out his legs, he rested his stocking feet on the sturdy dark wood coffee table.
He smiled over at her. “Take off your shoes. Get comfortable.”
She removed her shoes and, putting her sock feet on the table, she noticed that his were nearly twice the size of hers.
“Did you get a lot of recipes from your mom?”
“Just some special ones, like the lasagna and her chocolate chip oatmeal cookies.”
“I’d like to try those.”
Lulled by the crackle of the fire and the solid strength of the man beside her, Laura decided she could stay like this for the rest of her life.
She glanced over. Griffin’s eyes were shut, his hands folded across his flat stomach. “What’s the problem between Sydney and Alex?”
Without opening his eyes, he shook his head. “They’re the only ones who know. Neither one has told me.”
“They sure don’t like each other.”
“True. Have you spoken to your dad again today?”
“Before dinner.”
“How did it go?”
“It went well. I didn’t tell him what happened today either. I’m too afraid it will jeopardize his health.”
Griffin nodded.
“At least I’m able to say goodbye before I go into the program this time.” The thought of leaving tomorrow put a knot in her throat. “The good thing is we’re no longer estranged. Our relationship is so much better. Though I wish I could stay and build on it. I wish I could stay, period.”
“I think everyone else does, too.”
Laura wondered if that included him. “It bothers me that I’ll have to keep up with my dad’s condition through Marshal Yates. Although now I at least know he has a condition.”
It also upset her that she wouldn’t be able to keep track of Griffin at all. She could really fall in love with this guy, so maybe it was a good thing that she was leaving tomorrow. That was a complication she didn’t need. Surely her interest in the former SEAL would fade over time.
“I guess that’s one of the hardest things about WitSec,” Griffin said. “That you can’t see family and friends.”
“We’re ‘strongly discouraged.’” She made quote marks in the air. “Floyd told me that only two people in the history of the program have been killed. In both instances, it was because they came out of hiding. Thanks to you, I haven’t had to worry about that.”
“Much,” he said wryly.
“At all,” she said. “If it weren’t for you, that guy at the clinic would’ve hurt me. And even though I was grabbed by those goons, you made sure Boone and Sydney reached me before the jerks had a chance to do me any real harm. I was more concerned that you were going to be the one who got hurt. Or worse.”
“Hey.” He nudged her thigh with his. “I’m still here and I plan to be. Arrico isn’t getting to you or me.”
Her protector would be safer once she left, but Laura knew not to say it. “I can’t believe my time here is already over.”
“I guess this is different from your first go-round with WitSec.”
“Yes, and leaving is proving to be more difficult than I expected.”
“Because of your family?”
“Not just them. I never expected to like you as quickly as I did.” Her cheeks heated. “Not just you. I mean, all of you.”
The thought of disappearing again was daunting. Depressing. Of course, when she had accepted protection before, she’d been saving her life and hadn’t cared about her future as long as she was away from Vin. Now she did care. “I’ll pray about it. I need to let go and trust God.”
“To keep you safe?” Griffin asked.
“That everything will work out.”
He was quiet for a moment, then said, “Maybe I should try that for my—”
Laura waited for him to finish. When he didn’t, she prompted, “Try praying for what?”
He shook his head. “I’ve already gotten some help.”
“With what?”
“PTSD.”
She put a hand on his arm. He smelled of man and the outdoors. “You have post-traumatic stress disorder?”
“Yes.”
“From the ambush?”
He shrugged. “The episodes started after that.”
Laura wanted him to continue talking but didn’t think she should push. She started to remove her hand, but he placed his bigger one over it, holding hers in place for a second.
When he released her, her heart tilted. “You said you’d gotten some help?”
“Ghost recommended a shrink friend of his. I still talk to him every once in a while.”
She searched his face. “It takes a lot of guts to seek help for a problem like that.”
“I had to. After I returned from my tour, there were some days I couldn’t function.”
“Is that one of the reasons your fiancée left?” Laura had heard a lot of family members couldn’t handle the unpredictability, and sometimes the violence, of the disorder.
A muscle in his jaw flexed. “Emily left after one of my episodes.”
The shame in his voice tugged at Laura’s heart. “Did you hurt her during one of them?”
“No. I never touched her, but I scared her.”
“How?”
“I went away sometimes.” He tapped a finger against his temple. “Up here. I don’t remember much of that. I do remember the nightmares and yelling.”
“I hate that she left because of something you had no control over.”
“Looking back on it, I don’t know how much of a part the PTSD played.”
“What do you mean?”
“She told me she couldn’t deal with that or the fact that I might get deployed again. I think that was just her way of softening the blow that she’d found someone else.”
“Good riddance,” Laura muttered.
He grinned. “I’ve forgiven her.”
“You have?”
“Thanks to you. Seeing how you and your dad patched things up.”
“Good for you! That’s a big deal.” Her next words were out before she could stop them. “I wish you could forgive yourself for your friends’ deaths.”
He stiffened, his leg like iron against hers. “I don’t see how anybody can forgive that.”
His words, painfully raw, fell into the emptiness around them.
“God can,” she said quietly.
He shook his head. She wished she could convince him, but it would take time. Time she didn’t have.
He rose, stretching to his full height. “I’m going to call Ghost.”
“All right.”
“We can watch a movie when I get back. There’s a collection of DVDs in the entertainment center.” He gestured toward the massive fifty-five-inch television on the adjacent wall and its built-in cabinets.
He’d made it clear he didn’t want to talk anymore. That was all right with Laura. By this time tomorrow, she’d be in a safe house or on her way to a new home, with a new name. Griffin would be moving on to the next client.
She squelched her loathing at having to leave again and stood. “I’m really going to miss yo—this place.”
“Now that I know what a great cook you are, I’m going to miss you, too.”
With a laugh, she swatted at him and he snagged her hand, tugging her toward him. His gaze dropped to her lips.
Her breath jammed in her throat. He wanted to kiss her. She wanted him to. “I thought we agreed not to do this.”
“This is the goodbye I won’t be able to give you tomorrow with all those people around.”
They both knew it wasn’t a good idea, but it was all they had. All they would ever have. When he pulled her close and kissed her, she kissed him back.
Not too long after, they drew apart and she looked up at him. His blue-green eyes were sharp with emotion, maybe the same emotion rolling around inside of her. Reluctance, resignation. The thought of walking away hollowed out her chest.
She had broken her rule and followed her heart, not her head.
He stroked her cheek. “One doesn’t seem like enough, does it?”
“No. But I guess it has to be.”
“I wish we’d met under different circumstances.”
“So do I.” She squeezed his hand. “I don’t want to leave and not just because I have to return to WitSec. But because—I think I’m falling for you.”
“Same for me. You’re the first woman in a long time who I’ve cared about. Who I’ve let myself care about.”
“Talk about bad timing.” She grimaced.
He had kept one arm around her and the longer he held her, the harder it became to pull away. And to remember why she had to.
With greater effort than she expected, she stepped out of his arms. “If I don’t say good-night now, I don’t think I’ll be able to.”
“Yeah.” The stark acceptance on his face made her heart ache. “I get it.”
If only things could be different, she thought. But they weren’t. Mentally bracing herself, she gave him a quick peck on the cheek and walked away.
She held the memory of their kiss close. That was all they were going to get and she had to make peace with it.
TEN
Laura woke up the next morning ready for her last injection and to donate her stem cells, but she wasn’t looking forward to assuming another identity. Or leaving her life again. She abhorred the idea of returning to the program, but she knew she had no choice. Leaving WitSec would put everyone she loved in danger and that wasn’t an option.
She looked around the bedroom where she had stayed and made sure she had picked up all of her belongings. Her aunt came in, short gray hair coiffed perfectly. Her makeup was fresh and the silver jewelry she wore set off the navy pantsuit and red blouse.
The older woman finished attaching an earring, then moved over to Laura, sliding an arm around her shoulders to hug her. Laura returned the embrace. “Sydney’s here, so I’m going to take off. Is there anything you want me to tell your father?”
“That I love him.” She wished she could visit with him, but that wasn’t possible. Not after everything that had happened.
“Your appointment at the clinic is for ten o’clock this morning?”
Laura nodded.
“I’ll see you there.”
After a kiss on the cheek, Joy walked out to meet Sydney. Her aunt wanted to be present for Laura’s last injection and for the donation procedure. The other woman had to be relieved that this would be the last day she had to stay at Griffin’s or depend on Sydney for transportation.
Laura’s things were packed. There wasn’t much. Several sweaters and tops she’d bought after arriving, along with a couple of pairs of jeans and a pair of slacks. Plus her cosmetic kit. The dark circles under her eyes showed that she’d gotten very little sleep, so she had applied extra concealer.
From the window in her room, she could see the roof of Griffin’s barn. The barn where he’d told her about his friends. And where she’d first realized that she could have feelings for this man. Where her admiration of him had deepened.
“Ready?” Griffin’s voice came low and quiet from the doorway.
She nodded, giving the barn one last look before she turned to pick up the suitcase she’d bought when she had purchased the new clothes. Griffin beat her to it, lifting the bag effortlessly, lean muscles flexing in his arm.
She followed him to the garage and when he opened her door, she climbed into the SUV. As they pulled out of the driveway, she took in the U-shaped layout of the ranch house. Nestled in a shallow valley, it was surrounded by bare-branched trees and acres of land.
“You have a really nice place. Thanks for letting me stay.”
“You’re welcome.”
Neither of them spoke again until they reached the highway that would take them to the clinic.
The day was sunny and breezy. With temperatures in the high thirties, the wind was razor-sharp and Laura welcomed the heat in the SUV.
Griffin glanced over. “Have you already spoken to Yates?”
“Yes. We’re supposed to call him once the donation is finished.”
“Then he’ll meet us there.”
“That’s right.” Griffin signaled and crossed into the right lane. “Boone will meet us there, too. Both he and Sydney have agreed to provide backup.”
“That’s good.”
Just as he exited the Kilpatrick Turnpike to southbound Lake Hefner Parkway, his phone rang. He pushed a button and answered via the Bluetooth coming through the stereo system.
“Devaney?” Alex Morales’s voice was gravelly from fatigue.
“Yeah?”
“The nurse didn’t get home until early this morning and Harlan Thompson paid her a visit soon after.”
Laura’s gaze shot to Griffin’s.
He hit the button to increase the volume. “And?”
“I have pictures of them together.”
“Excellent!” Griffin threw Laura a hopeful look and she smiled, glad for the news but not really sure how much it would help. “Where is the nurse now?”
“She just went into the hospital. Looks like she’s working today.”
“Great. I’ll be by to talk to her again. Can you keep an eye on her until this afternoon?”
“Yes, and I’ll send you the pictures I took with my phone. The better-quality ones are on my camera.”
“Thanks. I’ll meet with you later for the other ones.”
“Will do. Also, I didn’t find any phone calls between the pastor and Arrico. Or the pastor and either of your other two suspects.”
“Okay, thanks.”
The men disconnected and Griffin smiled over at Laura. “That’s another lead I can follow. There may be something useful in the photos.”
“But I’ll be gone.”
“I know, but I’m not stopping until I connect Arrico to these murder attempts.”
“Do you think it will make any difference?”
“If I can take evidence of his involvement to a judge, I can prove he’s able to retaliate against you from prison. I think I have a good shot at getting him moved to solitary.”
“Would that help?”
“It would cut off a lot of his communication.”
“But he might still be able to finish what he started?”
“Maybe, but it would be much more difficult.”
“Thank you. I appreciate anything you can do.” Even though it would change nothing. For her safety and the safety of those she loved, she’d still have to give up her life.
There were no spaces available in the front, so Griffin chose a spot facing Portland Avenue, perpendicular to the center.
Sydney’s silver SUV was in a south-facing slot, as was Boone’s black Lexus sedan.
Laura unbuckled her seat belt. “Looks like everyone is already here.”
“They must be inside. Don’t get out. I’ll come to you.”
She waited for him to round the back of the SUV. As he came up the side of the vehicle, she saw him pull a Glock from his back waistband and double-check it. She couldn’t believe how many different guns he had. He opened the door and before she could move, he flipped up the collar of her black wool coat.
“It’s cold out here,” he murmured. Even he was wearing his thick sheepskin jacket.
Her jaw brushed his knuckle and she realized that he was still fingering her collar. “Thank you.”
Their eyes caught and held for a moment. Laura wondered what he was thinking. His gaze searched her face and she thought he would say something.
Instead, he stepped back, giving her enough room to move out into the brisk north wind.
“Brr!” The frigid air cut her face and she ducked her head into the neck of her coat.
Just as they stepped out from behind the SUV, a gunshot cracked the air. Laura screamed. Another shot ripped past her.
With one arm, Griffin shoved her back and pushed her to the ground, rolling her slightly under the vehicle and covering her body with his. He already had his gun out. “Stay down!”
Securely beneath him, she heard Griffin fire. She felt him shift slightly, probably aiming from a different angle.
Laura’s arms were pinned to her sides. All she could do was huddle into Griffin. A bullet hit the concrete beside her, shards of cement flying against her face. His weight crushed her and she tried to remain still.
He lifted up, firing twice in rapid succession. The noise echoed sharply in her ears. A battery of gunfire rained down. Laura flinched.
Glass shattered. People screamed and shouted. She could hear footsteps but couldn’t tell from which direction. A car alarm went off, the shrill blare coming from across the parking lot. Griffin and the unseen shooter were still firing.
Love Inspired Suspense May 2015 #2 Page 35
