Page 12 of Tempting Tessa

The skin of her arm burned as if on fire. “They didn’t,” she bit out. “They wouldn’t. I have too much on them.”

“It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

But it didn’t—not to her. The couple had been her most reliable assets for the past three years.

Yet, there had to be a connection. What was it?

Tommy seemed to realize at the last minute where she was taking them. “You’re kidding,” he said, pulling into a parking space down the block.

Fear that she might not be able to walk that far ate at her. “Bring the keys,” was all she said as she hauled herself out, dragging the backpack with her.

As she kept her spine ramrod straight and prayed they hadn’t been followed since there was no way she could run again, she avoided the giant entry doors of theBiblioteca Na?ionala a Românieiand led Tommy to the entrance marked ‘Employees Only.’

While much of the library had been upgraded in recent years, this entrance only required a simple key to access. The security camera above the door no longer worked.

She took the keyring from Tommy, fingers trembling as she searched for the correct one. Goosebumps covered her body—she was so cold. The ground undulated like an ocean wave under her feet, and she dropped the ring, slamming a hand against the door to steady herself.

Tommy grabbed her good arm to keep her from falling. “I told you not to pass out on me.” He scooped up the keys with his free hand. “Which one am I looking for?”

She wiped rain from her eyes and snatched it from him, finding the one she wanted. Teeth chattering, she held it up and he gently took it from her, using it to unlock the door.

Inside, the library’s familiar hush welcomed her. The smell of leather-bound books, dried paper, and the lofty air of knowledge called to her. She’d always felt safe here. Now, she wondered if she would be able to save her job. If she continued on this road with Tommy, her reliable, risk-free life would be over.

The cavernous lobby was dimly lit, the security desk unstaffed. The faint smell of the janitor’s lemon polish tickled her nose.

Tommy followed her up the broad steps to the third floor. Her haven. Each day, she came here and filed away the books that patrons checked out. She found incredible volumes in Romanian and English that sparked her curiosity, deepened her thought processes, and challenged her beliefs, reading them on her breaks and taking some of them home to stack next to her bed for late-night reading.

“Stay close,” she murmured, allowing his hand to remain on her elbow. She was glad for it, her entire body shaking now. She bypassed her office and ducked into the employee lounge, locking the door behind them. The room was small but functional, with a battered couch, a mini fridge, and a sink.

“Sit down,” he ordered.

Although the female in her balked at his gruffness, her legs wobbled so hard, she was happy to do so, sinking into the cushions with relief.

He snatched a dish towel from the counter and ran it under the faucet, ringing it out and bringing it to her. With a gentleness that surprised her, he helped her remove her coat. She hissed as the agony flared to life again. The room spun, and she unwillingly toppled sideways.

Tommy said, “Whoa, there. You’re going into shock.”

“I need…aspirin…” she said through her chattering teeth.

Once he got her upright, he removed his bloody handkerchief from her wound and stuck it in his pocket. Then he began cleaning her injury. “You need more than that.”

She bit her lip to keep from crying out. It wasn’t just the pain; it was the realization that they couldn’t go back to her place. Her apartment had never been compromised before. It was her sanctuary. Dammit all to hell.

He rinsed out the towel. “Do you have a first aid kit in this place? You need stitches.”

“It’s just a scratch. No stitches.”

“While it’s not deep, there’s a generous amount of tissue damage.”

Her words came out clipped. “Behind the circulation desk, and a second is in the head librarian’s office.”

He used paper towels to form a compress and handed it to her. Then he checked the fridge and found a bottle of water. “Keep pressure on the wound and drink this. I’ll be back in a minute.”

“There are security cameras on both of those places,” she warned before he could storm out. “You can’t go anywhere near them.”

He glanced over his shoulder when he got to the door. “Let me worry about that.”

And then he was gone.

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