Page 91 of Thorn

It took long minutes. Thorn’s heart hadn’t stopped racing. He felt like this was the hardest marathon he’d ever run. Letting go of control was not his nature. But if he tackled and wrestled Arya back down, she’d just look for another opportunity. She had to choose to face the pain. He’d never experienced what she did, and he couldn’t even imagine it.

Finally, she looked up and their eyes locked.

He swallowed hard. And forced himself to stay still and silent.

“When I first saw you, I felt such an affinity for you, as if we belonged together,” she said. “That felt hopeful, like maybe there was a slice of happiness in this world for me, too.”

“Thank you for finding the right words.” He smiled. “I’ve been looking for a way to explain my feelings to you. That’s about right.” The smile slid away. “And it feels like my chance to have hope and have that belonging is hanging by a thread.” And he stopped himself from adding anything else, likeplease, for my sake, don’t jump.Because, this wasn’t about him. This was about her. She had towantlife.

Chapter Forty-Three

Thorn

Paris, France

Monday, Zero Six Thirty Hours.

“Thorn,” she whispered.

“I’m here.”

“I want to go down now.”

He froze. What did down mean to her?

“I think I need your help. I’m…really tired and shaky. And I can’t think of what to do. All those people are down there, and they’ll take me away from you.”

“I won’t let it happen.” Thorn called out, “Gage, come up.” He never let his focus waver. “My friend is bringing you a climbing harness, so you’ll be safe.”

“But down…”

“We’ve been up here for a while. And you were focused on your choices. You probably didn’t see that the other teams pulled out as the French police arrived. We’re going to get you down and take you right to the airport. Take you straight back to the United States, and take you to the hospital to get you the help you need. You’ve done great.”

Thorn felt pressure on his thigh then a pat at his hip. Gage worked a harness around Thorn to keep him safe.

“Gage is going to go under the arch and swing up behind you. You’re not going to pay any attention. You’re just going to focus on me and hold my hand like we’ve been doing. Gage is going to put a harness on you. Then we’ll all go down together.”

***

“What are you thinking?” Thorn asked.

They were sitting side by side on the plane. Iniquus had booked out the whole first class. Honey was up ahead of them and Gage behind. They’d loaded last, coming through a private door from the airport, and would unload first down a mobile staircase before the airplane came flush to the gangway.

They were almost home. And suddenly Arya had started shaking. Thorn didn’t know if that was mental or physical. He tightened his arm around her, as she lay her cheek on his chest.

“They’re out there,” she whispered. “They weren’t arrested.”

“You’ll be in the United States soon. They can’t cross the borders and be here legally. The CIA and FBI are tracking them. The Israeli government has been put on alert and are cooperating. Your hospital is secure.”

“But I won’t stay there forever,” she whispered.

Thorn took her chin between his fingers and tilted her head up so he could read her eyes. He lay a soft kiss on her lips. “The plan in place is that you will stabilize in the hospital, then my team will move you to one of our support houses. Roxanne was vetted. Did you know she’d been an Army nurse?” He rubbed his thumb over her cheek, then brushed her hair back from her face.

“Yes, I’ve seen her pictures.”

“She’s been cleared by the FBI and if it’s okay with you, she’ll be coming to live with you at the house. Her salary is being covered. And you will be getting a stipend. You aren’t to worry about finances.” He pulled out his phone and pulled up a picture of the Victorian styled house with the ancient oak in the front yard. “It’s right across from a clinic that specializes in military rehabilitation. I have a friend from the Strike Force team named Randy who’s there. They have a world-renowned trauma-psychology department. We’ll get you the best support available.”

“DuBois,” she whispered.

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