Page 53 of Claimed by Him

“Hey.”

I looked up from the book I’d been attempting to read for the past hour. The familiar face made me jump up from the chair. “Clay!”

He caught me in a hug. “I’m sorry about your friend.”

“Thanks.” I stepped away as I glanced over at where Adare was sleeping again.

She’d had a good of couple hours where she’d been able to talk to me, Jenna, and Jalen. Once Adare had drifted off again, Jenna had excused herself, telling me to call her anytime. Jalen had stayed until thirty minutes or so ago, but then left to get us food. I kept telling him that he could go home, and I’d call him if I needed him, but each time he just smiled and shook his head. He hadn’t said it in so many words, but I knew he wasn’t leaving for good until I did.

“How’d you know I was here?” I asked suddenly.

“From my partner, Agent Matthews. He told me about the girls you rescued, and I have to admit that I was more than a little annoyed that I had to find out about it from him. Then he told me that your friend was in the hospital.” He reached out and squeezed my shoulder. “Is there anything I can do?”

I shook my head. “There’s nothing anyone can do for her. Knowing you’re here is enough for me.”

“No matter what’s happened between us, I’m always going to be here for you. You know that, right?”

I nodded. “I know. Thank you.”

“Nice work, by the way,” he said. “Saving those girls.” He paused, then added, “You would’ve made a hell of an agent.”

“Agent?” Jalen’s voice came from behind me. “I thought you were an investigator.” He stepped up next to me and held his hand out to Clay. “Hi. Jalen Larsen. We haven’t officially met.”

“Because the last time you saw me, you behaved like an ass?” Clay grinned to take some of the sting out of his words. He shook Jalen’s hand, and I had no doubt that both of them were doing their best to break each other’s knuckles.

“I did,” Jalen admitted. “But I’ve apologized for it, and she’s forgiven me.”

“She’s good like that,” Clay said.

“She is.” Jalen slid his arm around my waist and brushed his lips against my temple. “But I’d still like to hear about this agent thing.”

“Before I moved here, I was in school to be an FBI agent,” I said honestly. “It didn’t take.” Okay, that was a little less honest, but that wasn’t a conversation I was ready to have yet.

I could tell he wanted to know more, but he didn’t push, and for that, I was grateful. I was doing okay now, but I wasn’t sure how long that would be true for. If I was going to get through this, I preferred to do it with people I could count on.

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