Red (15 page)
Nate shook his head hesitantly. “Maybe,” he said slowly. “Maybe not. I want to talk to Halloran and Sophia as soon as they’re up for it.”
“Sounds good,” I agreed, trying unsuccessfully to hide a yawn as I snuggled back down into the pillows. “Maybe in the morning?”
Nate grinned knowingly. “Morning?”
I yawned again. “Well, maybe afternoon.”
“Deal.”
“Hey, Nate?”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t sneak off again, okay?”
I don’t know why I asked him to stay. I felt kind of silly doing it, actually—like a little girl who’s still afraid of the dark. But the thought of him watching over me while I slept, keeping me company in the darkness, was immensely comforting.
Nate tucked the covers up around me as I curled up on my side. “I’m not going anywhere.”
A moment later, the guttural screech of wood against the floor told me Nate was dragging a chair toward the bed. I heard him sit down and shift around, trying to find a comfortable position, apparently without much success. I opened my eyes and saw him stand and take off his jacket and tie and drape them over the back of the chair before trying again.
“You can share with me if you want,” I offered, scooting back against the rail of the bed.
“I’m good,” Nate assured me, looking decidedly uncomfortable in spite of his words.
“It’s no big deal,” I told him. “If you’re going to stay here, you might as well try to get some rest, too. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the foresight to call ahead and get one of the larger private rooms with the fold-out couch, so you’ll have to make do with sharing the bed.”
Nate studied me for a long moment, his lips pressed together in a tight line. “Okay. But I’ll stay on top of the covers.”
I rolled my eyes. “For crying out loud! Keep one foot on the floor, open the door—whatever makes you feel better. Just get the lead out. I’m tired and you’re keeping me awake.”
Nate walked stiffly to the bed and eased down beside me. He shifted around awkwardly, trying to find a comfortable position without infringing upon my space, but then apparently gave up trying. “Here,” he sighed, slipping his arm under me and rolling me into his embrace. “This okay?”
I nestled into the hollow of his shoulder, curling up against him, then nodded. “Mmm-hmm.” I would have said more, but with my heart pounding so hard I could barely breathe, it was all I could manage.
Nate’s arms tightened around me, holding me so close I could feel his own heart pounding in time with mine, could feel the rise and fall of his chest with each tense breath. I desperately wanted to turn my eyes up to his to see if that dark fire I’d seen before was smoldering in his eyes now, but instead I tucked in closer and concentrated on the peaceful warmth of Nate’s body and let the soothing darkness of sleep drift forward to claim me as its own.
“Sweet dreams,” I heard Nate whisper from the edges of the darkness.
As I snuggled in closer, I couldn’t help but grin, somehow sure that in spite of the horrors of the last couple of days, my dreams this night would be sweet indeed.
Chapter 19
My head had healed up nicely overnight, but it was still a little tender the next day as I lathered it with shampoo in the hospital room’s shower. I stood under the spray for who knows how long, keenly aware that Nate was still sitting vigil in the other room just feet away from where I stood completely naked. In spite of the heat of the water, I felt cold down to my bones. It was a chill I couldn’t put a name to, and I had the distinct impression that the only cure for it had nothing to do with turning up the heat of the water and everything to do with turning up the heat with the man in the other room.
It would’ve been so easy to turn my face up to his during the night, to press my lips to his and see where that took us. I shook my head, pushing such thoughts away. In all the years I’d worked with Nate, I’d never allowed myself to go there—regardless of the obvious mutual attraction. So why was I going there now? It had to be the stress of the situation, knowing that my number had been drawn. I was getting distracted and letting my guard down. And that had to stop. Nate was my partner. Off limits. End of story.
I squeezed my eyes shut and leaned my head against the tile, stalling for as long as I could. Finally accepting there was nothing in the tiny shower that could warm me in the way I needed, I turned off the water and grabbed a thick white towel. I dried off quickly, shivering so hard my teeth chattered, then wrapped the towel around my body.
“Hey, Nate,” I called as I came out into the room. “Did you see where they put my bra? I thought—” I screeched loudly and jumped back, clutching the towel closer around me when I saw Nate was no longer alone in the room.
A tall, silver-haired wall of muscle in a navy blue suit and sunglasses stood just inside the room, his hands clasped in front of him. Eddie Fox—Nicky’s personal bodyguard. No one really knew where Eddie came from. He just showed up one day not long after Nicky’s brush with death and offered his services. I never understood why Nicky trusted him right away, but he did. And Eddie had proven his worth on numerous occasions in the decades since.
I gave Eddie a rather dazed nod in greeting. He nodded back, then studiously averted his eyes, staring at a point on the wall over my shoulder as Gran bustled forward carrying an overnight bag.
“I sent your clothes to the laundry,” Gran explained, thrusting the bag at me, “and brought you some fresh ones.” She leaned toward me and lowered her voice, but not nearly low enough, as she said, “I had difficulty finding panties, though, dear. Those little scraps you wear get lost in your delicates drawer.”
I saw Eddie try to hide a smile, then glanced at Nate, who didn’t even bother. “Thanks, Gran,” I mumbled, taking the bag. “I’ll just go change.”
“Yes, do, my darling,” Gran said, brushing my damp hair back from my eyes. “You will feel better once you’re back in your own things. These hospital gowns are so uncomfortable, especially with the back hanging open—of course, you don’t seem to mind your backside hanging out if your style of undergarments is any indication.”
“Gran!” I groaned.
“You think these gentlemen care what kind of panties you wear?” Gran said, shooing me into the bathroom.
I glared at the guys, daring one of them to go there. Fortunately for both of them, they just looked away, pretending not to hear the conversation. I spotted my missing bra hanging over the back of a chair, so I snatched it up and ducked into the bathroom where I quickly pulled on the panties, jeans, and black turtleneck Gran had brought for me.
When I emerged from the bathroom a moment later, Gran was chatting animatedly with Nate and Eddie, telling them all about how Pete Panella had broken down while talking about his childhood during their interview the other day. Eddie in particular looked completely enthralled.
“I’ll be certain to watch the interview when it airs,” Eddie said sincerely. “It sounds captivating.”
Gran seemed flustered by the compliment and ducked her head a little, flushing. “Well, thank you, Mr. Fox. I hope you will not be disappointed.”
Hello. What the hell was this?
I cocked my head to one side, watching the scene play out. I had never seen her so discombobulated. Was it possible that Gran was attracted to Eddie? He was obviously flirting with her.
Eddie offered her a smile that was genuinely warm. “I can’t imagine you ever disappoint, Mrs. Stuart.”
Gran suddenly seemed years younger to me as she flushed a little deeper. “Mr. Fox!” she tittered. “You are such a flatterer!”
I stepped forward quickly, suddenly uncomfortable with the sly fox putting the moves on my Gran. “Gran, should you be up and about so much this soon?”
She cast me an amused look. “Perhaps you are right, my darling. I might have overdone it a bit today.”
I put my arm through hers. “Why don’t you head on home and get some rest? I’ll be fine. Nate and I have a lot of work to do, so we need to get going anyway. Don’t worry about me. Really.”
Gran nodded, although somewhat reluctantly. “If you are certain . . .”
I smiled and patted her arm. “Of course I am.” Then I turned my attention to Eddie. “Can you take her home and make sure she gets some rest, Eddie? I don’t want her working on anything today.”
Including her flirting skills,
I added silently.
I added silently.
Eddie gave me a tight nod. “Mr. Blue has given me leave to watch over Mrs. Stuart until you are satisfied she is out of danger. I will do whatever is necessary to ensure she is well.”
I briefly wondered if sending Gran home with Eddie was the best idea, but she seemed relieved at being ordered to rest, so I sent her on her way with reassurances that I would be careful and look after myself as well.
As soon as they were gone, I grabbed up my trench coat and strode for the door. I was reaching for the latch when I realized Nate was still lounging in his chair, studying me contemplatively. “What?”
He shook his head and rose to his feet. “Nothing. I just like seeing the softer side of you now and then.”
I frowned at him in disgust. “Softer side? What are you talking about?”
He shrugged and picked up his fedora from the end of the bed. “The way you are with Gran—so protective and caring.”
I bristled at his words. “Yeah, well, don’t think the way I am with Gran means I couldn’t kick your ass if I needed to.”
Nate came forward and put his hand over mine on the door latch. “Caring about someone isn’t a sign of weakness, Red.”
I pressed my lips together angrily. “I know that.”
“Do you?” he pressed, moving a step closer.
“Of course I do.” I looked up at him, prepared to meet his penetrating gaze defiantly, but as I stared up into those bottomless pools of darkness, my anger drifted away, replaced by a tingling sensation that began in the center of my stomach and radiated outward.
Ah, yes. There it was. That warmth I’d been craving ...
The air between us suddenly became charged and primed. One little spark was all it would have taken to set off the kind of explosion that could bring us both to our knees. And I was completely and utterly terrified. I couldn’t look away. Didn’t want to. In fact, what I wanted was—
Nate’s phone suddenly sprang to life, making us both jump. And just like that, the charge was diffused, leaving a vast empty void where it had been. Nate opened his mouth as if to say something else to me, but then he shut it again and reached into his jacket for his phone.
As he put the phone up to his ear, I grinned, realizing that I was hearing music and not the annoying chirp that I’d heard before.
Nate looked irritated as he gruffly barked, “Detective Grimm.”
I glanced down to where his hand still covered mine, liking the way his fingers curled around my own so lightly. On impulse I moved my hand, planning to lace my fingers with his, but he snatched his hand away. Perhaps he’d mistaken the movement, thinking I was trying to rescue my hand. Or maybe I was the one who’d been mistaken.
“Sorry,” he mumbled, hanging up the phone and pocketing it once more. “That was the hospital trying to reach me. Apparently they didn’t realize I was still here.”
Ah. Back to work then.
“What did they say?”
“Sophia’s condition has been upgraded. Looks like she’s going to pull through.”
“Well,” I said, “let’s go have a chat then, shall we?”
We both reached for the door at the same time but jerked our hands back, avoiding the other’s touch. I was the first to move a second time and pushed on the latch, opening the door.
“So, Benny Goodman,” I mused as we strode down the hall toward Sophia’s room, glad to focus on a lighter topic.
Nate chuckled. “You said I needed a theme song.”
I cast a hopeless glance his way. “Yeah, but ‘Sing, Sing, Sing’?”
“It’s quintessential Benny Goodman!” Nate argued. “Plus, it kind of goes with my look.”
“Oh, you have a
look
now, do you?”
look
now, do you?”
“You know I have a look,” he defended. “I’ve always had a look.”
I gave him the once-over. “No offense, Nate, but it’s a little dated.”
“What’s wrong with looking a little dated?” he demanded. “I think it suits me. Very dark and mysterious. Dramatic even.”
I shrugged. “I guess.”
He nudged me with his shoulder. “Admit it—you think the fedora is pretty dashing.”
I snorted dismissively. “No way am I saying the word
dashing
in any context
.
”
dashing
in any context
.
”
No matter how true it might be.
“Okay, so how about the suit?” Nate asked. He came to a stop in the middle of the hallway and began to strike various runway poses, oblivious to the strange looks and muffled giggles we received from the hospital staff that passed by.
Laughing, I grabbed Nate by the shoulder and spun him around, giving him a shove forward. “Fine! Fine! You’re
dashing,
” I said, falling into step beside him. “Happy?”
dashing,
” I said, falling into step beside him. “Happy?”
He grinned down at me. “Almost.”
I looked away quickly, trying not to read anything into that one simple word, and held up my hand. “Let me have your phone.”
Nate obediently drew out his phone and handed it over. “Why?”
“Well, Mr. Dark, Mysterious, and Dramatic, if you’re going to have a
look,
you need a better theme song.” Nate made a grab for his phone, but I held it away, then cocked my head to one side, pretending to study him. “Let’s see . . . what would really capture the true Nate Grimm?” I nodded, giving the question due gravity. “I’m thinking maybe some Anne Murray or Karen Carpenter. . . .”
look,
you need a better theme song.” Nate made a grab for his phone, but I held it away, then cocked my head to one side, pretending to study him. “Let’s see . . . what would really capture the true Nate Grimm?” I nodded, giving the question due gravity. “I’m thinking maybe some Anne Murray or Karen Carpenter. . . .”
Looking horrified, Nate snatched the phone from my grasp.
“What? You don’t like Anne and Karen?”
“They’re fine if you’re in an elevator,” he grumbled.
I nodded gravely. “You’re right. You need something more funereal. How about ‘Amazing Grace’ on the bagpipes?”
Nate shot me a warning look. “Over my dead body.”
I blinked at him in mock astonishment as we came to a halt outside Sophia’s room. “Nate, was that a
pun
?”
pun
?”
He groaned. “Let’s just chat with the tigress, what do you say?”
I motioned toward the door. “Lead the way, funny man.”
Nate rolled his eyes as he brushed past me and entered the room.
Sophia was asleep in the bed, and considering she was wrapped in so many bandages she looked like an extra from some long-lost Ed Wood mummy movie
,
I’m guessing the deep slumber was probably by design. Halloran sat in the chair next to her bed, his head in his hands. Upon hearing our entrance, his head snapped up, and the look of despair and concern on his face rapidly morphed to one of pure rage.
,
I’m guessing the deep slumber was probably by design. Halloran sat in the chair next to her bed, his head in his hands. Upon hearing our entrance, his head snapped up, and the look of despair and concern on his face rapidly morphed to one of pure rage.
“Get the fuck out of here!” he roared, advancing on us—me, specifically.
Nate stepped in front of me, blocking me from Halloran’s fury. “Back off, Halloran!”
“We’re here to help, you idiot!” I snapped, talking over Nate as I tried to get past him to defend myself.
Nate’s arm came back, wrapping around me to keep me behind him. “You need to settle down,” he said—though I wasn’t sure if he was talking to me or to the notorious crime boss glaring daggers at me.
“She was at my estate,” Halloran seethed, jabbing an accusatory finger in my direction. “I offered her assistance when she was injured”—I thought about correcting him but decided against it—“I told her what I knew about Hamelin. And this is how I am to be repaid?”
“As hard as it must be for you to believe,” I hissed, “this isn’t about you, Halloran!”
He pushed closer, forcing Nate to slide me around in a waltzlike shuffle. “I discovered that you were attacked—probably by the same creature—the evening before. A strange beast nearly kills you not a mile from my home and none of you assholes at the FMA thought it worth mentioning?”
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