Page 10 of Kidnapping Their Third

“Oh, that’s easy!” Pike said and retrieved the box of random chargers he’d ended up with when he’d helped his sister move. Plunking the box on the table, he stepped aside to let her rummage around. She untangled one and headed to the nearest outlet over the kitchen counter.

He watched her face go through a lot of emotions as the phone came on and pinged over and over again. Some of those had to be from him, but the rest must be from family and friends.

“This is going to be so hard to explain,” she grumbled as she started typing.

“Just say you lost your phone,” Pike offered. “Or it broke.”

“They probably won’t believe me,” she said without looking up. “I hate being without a phone. I have two backup phones and all my apps connected to my laptop and tablet for access. Losing my phone wouldn’t put me out of contact. Being kidnapped would put me out of contact, and I’m sure that’s the conclusion my family has jumped to.”

Cora typed and sent several messages before she looked up at him. “I’m using you as an excuse, okay?”

“That’s fine,” Pike agreed. “Anything that’ll make your life easier.”

“You’re officially my boyfriend now, or at least my boytoy, and I’ve spent the last forty-eight hours here with you doing unmentionable things.”

“Except for leaving out the kidnapping part, that’s mostly true,” Pike offered with a wink.

Cora shook her head. “Damn, you're adorable when you’re trying to flirt. Now, I’m sending you some money for blood. Go grab your phone and order for him.”

Excited at the idea of Kimble finally being truly fed, Pike rushed to find his phone. The amount Cora sent him was enough for ten bags of blood and to have them delivered immediately instead of waiting. He felt some guilt at needing Cora’s help, but relief outweighed it. Besides, he’d find some way to pay her back.

“It’ll be here in about twenty minutes.”

“Great,” she answered as she tapped on her phone. “I’m putting in a grocery order. What’s the address here? What stuff do you like to eat?”

He gave her the address. Trying to keep the bill low, he named ingredients he knew he could use to make large meals. “Ground beef, spaghetti noodles, spaghetti sauce, a block of sharp cheddar…”

She typed as he listed, but he must’ve gotten a little too eager because she held up her finger as he started listing spices. “I think that’s good for tonight.”

Kimble wasn’t the only one who was going to get to eat his fill soon! He couldn’t wait to see Kimble drink as much as he wanted and to fill his own belly with hot food that didn’t come out of a fryer. “Thanks, Cora. I’ll make this up to you, I promise.”

She finished typing and slumped against the counter. Looking up at him with a dazed expression, she blew out a long breath. “Damn, I’m suddenly exhausted.”

“A lot happened. You were attacked, you got kidnapped, and almost died. That’s a good reason for anyone to be tired.” He stepped closer, wanting to pick her up in his arms but unsure if his touch would be welcome.

She looked up at him, blinking slowly. “That’s true.”

Kimble appeared at her side and sank to his knees. It was something he’d done a lot when they were newly together, and his way of trying to appear unthreatening.

Cora didn’t move or make a sound as Kimble slowly reached out to grasp her hand. Holding it in one hand, he started to rhythmically pet her knuckles with his other hand.

“What’s he doing?” Cora asked. “Does he want me to order him something too?”

“I think he wants you to go to bed,” Pike guessed. “You only got to sleep about twenty minutes earlier, before the blood delivery woke you up.”

“Oh, yeah,” Cora said. “Sleep sounds really good. Can I have the bed? Your couch is too gross. I don’t want to catch whatever ecosystem is thriving there.”

“And it’s lumpy,” Pike said, taking her free hand as Kimble stood up. “Let's put you to bed, okay?”

Cora nodded like a child and let both of them lead her into the bedroom. The covers were already pulled back, so Pike sat her on the edge of the bed to pull off her shoes. Kimble sat on the bed next to her, refusing to let go of her hand during the process.

Once her shoes and socks were off, Pike debated stripping her further. Her clothes were filthy, and it couldn’t be comfortable to sleep in them.

“Would you like to sleep in one of my shirts?” he asked.

“What?” Cora asked, then looked down at herself with a grimace. “Ewww. Yeah, I’d like to wear something clean.”

When Pike got up to get her a shirt, she stood also, causing Kimble to make a distressed sound. “I’m not leaving,” she soothed him, patting the top of his head. “I need to change and use the bathroom.”

---