Page 88 of Catch Me When I Fall

Before they could answer, I jerked my chin to Jake. “You needed to run some tests?”

He nodded. “Right. Carrie, could you come sit here?” he asked, gesturing to the chair beside him.

She remained still, her body tense. I leaned down, my lips brushing the shell of her ear. “Go on, Sunshine.” I gave her a gentle push, and she was moving.

Once she was sat, Jake began explaining what he was going to be doing, and not once, did her eyes leave mine. She was confused, sure, but I knew she knew that when she was with me, she was safe.

That would never change.

Dominic rose from his seat, taking his laptop with him, moving into the living room. He stopped beside me, and whispered, “She’s got a nervous tick, Gray. Her hands.”

Instantly, my eyes dropped from hers to her hands, noting how white her knuckles were. She was digging her nails into her palms. Dominic had a PHD in Psychology, and he was trained to analyze people. This shit came naturally to him, giving him an advantage the rest of us didn’t.

He would also be analyzing her for the next few minutes, just in case.

“Got it,” I muttered, and Dominic moved into the living room at the same time I stepped forward.

Jake, who was all business now, was going over her medical history, asking her questions and not caring about what I was doing. I took Dominic’s vacant seat and moved it closer to her. Her head was turned, and she was answering all Jake’s questions in a soft, calm tone, keeping her hands in her lap.

Gently, I placed my hands over hers and watched as her shoulders dropped slightly. As they continued talking, I pulled her hands apart and held them separately, my thumbs stroking back and forth over her soft skin, her berry scent filling my nostrils.

“Can you tell me the symptoms you were feeling last night?” Jake asked gently, his eyes soft.

I expected hesitancy, but she surprised me by answering the question head on. Pride swelled in my chest but only for a moment. My jaw hardened to the point of pain, and I listened to her tell us what happened last night. With each passing second, every muscle in my body tensed as I imagined shooting the fucker all over again.

Jake listened to her heart, checked her lungs, and then her vision. He went on to explain that Nightwalker was a compounded date rape drug that just started popping up about a year ago, and the side effects are different for everyone.

“So you’re a doctor?” Carrie asked.

Jake shook his head. “No, I went to medical school, but I didn’t have the patience for it,” he explained. “I’m just the tech guy now, but I also handle basic medical things too.”

She looked at me. “And you work for Grayson?”

God, the sound of her saying my fucking name.

Jake nodded when she looked back at him and then stood up, his eyes flashing to me. “She’s good.”

“What does Damon do?” she asked, looking at me.

“Dominic,” I corrected her, feeling his eyes on us from his spot in the living room.

She looked over to him and winced. “Sorry.”

“It’s alright, honey,” he murmured, giving her another smile.

“He’s Red Snake’s weapon’s specialist,” I answered as Jake began to pack up his things.

“So are you the only bounty hunter?” she questioned, her brows coming together.

I squeezed her hands. “No.”

“He’s just the best,” Jake muttered, slinging his back over his shoulder as my eyes flicked up to his. He shot me a wink and looked at Dominic. “You ready? We have to be at the airstrip by ten.”

Dominic nodded, rising from his seat and packing his shit.

Carrie watched my men in awe, and I could see the wheels turning in her head. Once both the boys were loaded up, they looked at me. “See you soon, Gray.”

I jerked my chin to them, and then, just as quick as they arrived last night, they were gone. Carrie remained in her place, opening and shutting her mouth again. I chuckled as I released her hands and pressed my lips to her temple. “Fuck, you’re cute.”

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