Page 58 of Trust No One

“Probably just tonight,” she said. “They want to make sure he doesn’t have a concussion.”

“Okay. We’ll talk to Gideon and let you know as soon as we know anything.”

Simon took a deep breath as his eyes fluttered closed. “Thanks, Mel. Dev. We appreciate that.”

“It’s the least we can do,” Mel said, touching Simon’s hand. “If it weren’t for us, you wouldn’t be lying in this bed.”

One side of Simon’s mouth curled up. “Worth it if it gets us Kingsley,” he said.

“Not sure about that,” Dev said. “But we’ll make sure you’re both safe.”

Chapter 20

Hell yeah, they’d do everything they could to keep Simon and Caroline safe. The couple had gotten caught up in their mess, and Dev swore they wouldn’t suffer any more than they already had because of it.

Dev took one last look at Simon, his eyes closed in the bed, his hand gripping Caroline’s. All of Caroline’s emotions were written on her face - fear for Simon, anger at Kingsley, and the deep love she felt for her husband. Based on her expression right now, Dev would not want to mess with Simon. Or Caroline.

As Dev watched Caroline brush her finger over Simon’s inner wrist, he swallowed hard. The complete love in Caroline’s eyes was a stark contrast to the emptiness in his old teammate Johnson’s eyes.

Dev’d never had that – that all-consuming, overpowering love that Simon had from Caroline. The love between Simon and Caroline was obvious, and Dev’s heart hurt. Based on her expression, Dev was very sure Caroline would kill anyone who threatened Simon. Immediately and without a second thought.

Dev had no idea how it would feel to be loved that way. He knew damn well no one had ever looked athimlike that.

Except maybe Mel, when she’d told him she loved him. He swallowed hard. He hadn’t been interested in love, and he’d shoved her away without a second thought.

But what about now? Was he older and wiser? Or just older and more stupid?

He was pretty sure the answer was ‘older and more stupid’, based on the way he’d been sleeping with anyone in Helena who’d hold still long enough.

Before this trip, he’d thought that much emotion would be suffocating. Uncomfortable. Something to be avoided at all costs.

Now? He wasn’t so sure anymore. He knew Simon – or at least he thought he did. Simon had been a great teammate and a really smart guy. A guy who’d had his shit together. Maybe Dev’s attitudes about love were misguided. Formed by his parents’ abusive, tumultuous marriage instead of reality.

But right now he had a different priority. A traitor to catch. Those scary, potentially painful decisions belonged on the back burner. Instead of angsting over his life choices, he and Mel needed to figure out the best way to stop Kingsley. Make him pay for his crimes.

Gideon might have some thoughts, too. Dev was eager to hear what his plunge into the sewer of the dark web had found.

He touched Mel’s arm. “We should go,” he said. “Let Simon rest. They’re safe for now, with the guard at the door. Once Gideon’s here, we’ll figure out the best way to handle the request from the FBI.”

Mel stood up and moved toward the door, when it opened and the guard stepped inside. She hurried over to Caroline. Touched her hand. “The Director is here,” she said, giving Mel and Dev the side eye. “He’d like to talk to you and Simon.”

“Give me a moment,” Caroline said. “And don’t tell him we have other visitors.”

Wariness flickered in the guard’s eyes, and Caroline put her hand on the woman’s arm. “I trust you completely, Bethany. But there aren’t many others in the Agency I trust right now.” She jerked her head at Dev and Mel. “I trust them, too, and I want them to hear what the Director has to say.” She studied the woman for a long moment, and Bethany slowly nodded. “Okay, Caroline. I’ll do it your way.”

Caroline swallowed and motioned for him and Mel to stand in the bathroom, with the door ajar, so someone coming into the room wouldn’t see them, but Dev and Mel could hear everything said in the room.

Then, taking a deep breath, Caroline went to the door. Opened it. “Come in, sir,” she said.

Dev heard the tap of shoes heading for Simon’s bed, and Caroline said, “Stop, sir. Simon is sleeping and I don’t want him disturbed. What can I do for you?”

“How is he?” the man asked.

“He has a broken wrist. Several broken ribs.” Caroline’s voice was cool. “They’re keeping him tonight to make sure he doesn’t have a concussion.”

“We’ll put you in a different safe house after he’s released,” the Director said.

“No, thank you, sir,” Caroline said immediately. “We’ll find our own place to stay.”

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