Page 80 of Abducted

He squeezed her hand. “He got what he deserved.”

She cleared her throat. “I don’t feel sorry for him.” She threaded her fingers with his. “I can’t believe I lived among all those people. Grace, Tanner, Shawn… How could I have been so oblivious?”

Fire spurred in his guts. “You weren’t, Lana. They were stupid. Take a look at the outcome.”

She snorted. “I suppose you’re right.” She turned her head to look out the passenger window. “I really miss my dad.”

He lifted her hand to his mouth. “Do you want to call him?” She nodded. “Yeah, as soon as I get out of these clothes.”

A little while later, they pulled into the garage. He came around the truck and lifted her out. “Cal, I can walk.” She swatted at his shoulder. He held her tighter against him.

“I don’t want you to.”

Her head rested against his shoulder in defeat. A small sigh sounded in her throat. He entered the cabin through the garage access, greeted by a very excited Rufus. Without pausing for a beat, he made a beeline for the bedroom and flicked the lights on along the way. Rufus danced at their heels, but Cal shooed him out of the room until he could clean the glass up. He set Lana down on her feet in the bathroom. Under the bright lights, he grimaced inwardly.

Leaves and twigs littered her hair. Streaks of mud and blood from small scratches smeared her face. Her cheeks were hollowed out, and her eyes dark and red-rimmed. Jesus Christ.

“Am I a mess?” She stretched the hem of his sweater out and looked down at herself. Instead of answering, he took the hem from her hands and pulled it over her head. Dirt and debris clung to the damp skin on her bare chest. He reached behind her and turned the water on. She shimmied her sweatpants down her legs and tossed them to the floor. His eyes raked over her. She was so slight and delicate, her body in such sharp contrast to her strength.

“Will you come in with me?”

“You really think you have to ask?” He yanked his shirt off and tossed it to the floor, then chucked his pants. She smiled.

“What about the officers? Aren’t they coming to talk to me?”

“They can wait.” He pulled her under the spray. She rested her cheek against his chest. The hot water beat down on her back. A shiver shook her body against him.

“Still cold?” He rubbed his hands up and down her back.

“No, just can’t shake the chill.” He lifted her mass of hair in his hands and washed the debris out. She leaned her weight against him as if her bones had turned to spaghetti. He filled his hand with shampoo and began to work it through her strands.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“Shhh. Just rest, okay?” He continued to wash her hair. When he finished, he grabbed the bar of soap and ran it over her skin. Her trembles slowed down until they stopped. A yawn broke through her lips, and she stifled it with the back of her hand.

Shit. “I wish you could go straight to bed.”

She shook her head. “I’m okay. I wouldn’t mind something hot to drink, though, and I’m actually kind of hungry.”

The corners of his mouth lifted. Anyone else would be a mess right now. He might be taking care of her, but only because he’d insisted. Lana was a force to reckon with. Admiration for her swelled in his chest.

He pressed his lips to her head. She smiled up at him. They got out together, and Cal passed her a towel. Once they were dressed, he led her out to the kitchen. She stayed close to his side, her hand curled into his.

“Sit.” He directed her to the island. “I’ll fix you a tea and something to eat.”

“Do you mind if I call my dad first? I know it’s late, but I need to talk to him.”

He plucked the cordless phone linked to his landline up from the counter and handed it to her. He would need to replace his cell phone tomorrow. “Of course, babe. Take all the time you need.”

She gave him a tight smile and took a seat in the living room. Rufus followed and kept her company. Part of him wanted to go to her and hold her hand, but he knew this was something she wanted to do on her own.

He filled the kettle and took some tea bags out for her. He was in need of groceries. All he had was enough for a couple of sandwiches. By the time he had the sandwiches on plates and her tea poured, she was off the phone.

She set it down on the counter. Her eyes misted with tears. He pulled her against him and held her tight. She was so damn small, it made his heart ache that she was hurting.

She smiled up at him, then eased out of his arms. “Thanks.”

“Do you want to talk about it? If you’re tired, it can wait till tomorrow.” Before she could answer, the doorbell rang. Rufus charged for the front door. “Let’s get this statement over with and head to bed. You can tell me everything later.”

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