Page 42 of Hazard

She nearly broke down right there, but after years of being strong and holding herself together, she was conditioned to keeping her emotions locked tightly away. And those honed instincts kicked in now, enabling her to keep tears at bay.

Still, Hazard was much too hard to deny. He wanted to hold her. When had anyone ever just held her, without the pretense of anything more? And how did this incredible man know exactly what she ached for, right when she needed it the most?

Tired of pretending that she could face the world alone, she sank against Hazard’s side, rested her cheek on his chest, and absorbed the comfort and affection he so selflessly offered her.

She closed her eyes, and he held her in his embrace, and she let his strength take over, even as a flash of Corporal—a blank place where his name should be. She knew his name. Frustration gripped her. Why couldn’t she remember his name? His face flickered across her mind, the way he turned his head, the way his eyes widened, the way he jumped at her, the way he looked broken on top of her, the way the blood trickled from his ears, and with his last breath, the way he protected her. The memories crowded her, pushed at her, as concussive as the blast he had shielded her from, as damaging as the bullets he had taken for her.

Leigh? Are you all right?”

She jerked out of the memories like she was surfacing from a deep, dark swim, gasping for breath, her insides trembling. His voice brought everything sharply back into focus, but she refused to ask him the question that burned in her mind. She should remember his name by herself.

“Yes. I’m okay. I’m just tired, and it’s been tough just sitting around. Hazard’s face was etched with concern as he watched her.

“You’re pale and shaking. What happened?”

“Nothing. We should get some sleep. I’d really like to get back to work tomorrow. We don’t have time for any more recovery.”

His gaze was unwavering. “So, you’re just stir-crazy? Frustrated? That’s all?”

Leigh managed to get some energy back into her voice. “Work frustrated? Yes. Sexually frustrated? Not anymore.”

His expression still wary, he relaxed a little and managed a smile. “That’s good.” He stared at her a moment longer, assessing the situation. “But if you need to talk about anything—anything at all—I’m here.” She buried her face in Hazard’s neck as he slipped with her to the mattress. “Now go to sleep.”

She was thankful to have his eyes off her, allowing her to hide her inability to stop these flashes of memory from resurfacing. They would go away. It was just a residual of the aftermath of a terrible situation. They would pass, and she would remember his name. She would.

Someone was screaming. Someone else shouted something she couldn’t make out as if she was underwater, but she knew why that person was screaming. His kneecap had exploded.

Jack was dead. She had no doubt, and she was trapped under such a heavy weight. She tried to pull free, then froze as a dark shadow passed over her.

Oh God. The screams turned to gasping sobs and moans. She heard a struggle, muttered curses, and saw movement in the shadows.

Any second that darkness would come for her—and she was trapped.

She tried to move and struggled against that dead weight. Get free. Run. Oh, God, run, she thought, the words ricocheting around her brain as every breath became harder to draw. The smell of blood filled her nose, and a sob of pure panic broke free from her throat. She couldn't breathe, and her heart felt like it was going to burst from her hysteria. She couldn’t move—and then it was too late.

The shadow passed over her again, stealing the faint light, plunging her into utter darkness. A man bent over her. She could feel the weight of his presence, hear his breathing. Oh, God. She was doomed. She hurt so badly, every muscle in her body, every bone, every part of her heart cried out.

Help me, she wanted to say. Help me. But her mouth was too dry, and she knew there wasn’t any help to be had. Then another cacophony of sound, walls disintegrating, people disintegrating. Blood was running across the floor.

Someone took her arms and was shaking her, and she tried to break free.

Then there was more screaming…but this time it was her.

“Leigh! Leigh!”

She woke up, and the light was on. There was a pounding on the door. She blinked in the bright glow as Hazard loomed over her. “Just a minute,” he shouted toward the door to their suite.

It had been a nightmare, a nightmare twisted into something dark and terrifying in her mind. She managed to shut down her thoughts, concentrating on his steadfast silver-blue eyes. Her pulse was heavy in her chest. She stared up at him. “I’m all right. Go answer the door before we have an embarrassing situation here.”

He stared at her, his breathing ragged, his jawline defined like he was clenching it. His hair was on his forehead, a ripe wheat color in the jarring light. He hesitated, and she shoved at him. “Go.”

He slipped out of bed and picked up his boxers, then left his room and went to the door. It gave her a moment to catch her breath, to settle her nerves. She heard concerned male voices and closed her eyes. How loud had she been screaming?

Her pulse had slowed, and her panic abated when she heard someone enter the room. The bed dipped and she opened her eyes. Hazard was sitting next to her. “That was a bad one,” he whispered as if he knew all about nightmares.

The ache in her throat intensified as she gazed up at him, and her voice was unsteady when she could speak. “Yes, a bad one.” A terrible feeling of distress slid over her. What was his name, whispered accusingly.

She stared up at him, a voice in her head demanding. Tell him. Tell him the reason. Tell him now. But another voice, a more objective voice, warned against acting rashly. If you tell him now, he’s going to supply the name. She couldn’t bear it. She’d tell him when she remembered. “I’m sorry about waking the whole damn floor.” She managed a hint of a smile.

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