Page 14 of Being Bold
“Thank you.”
Uncomfortable with her gratitude, he rose and walked to the kitchen to retrieve his phone from the counter. He still didn’t know what happened to her, and instead of finding out, he’d asked her where she was from. If this had been a TOP mission, he would’ve failed. Where the hell was his head at? In his ass? He had better get it out of there if he was going to be of any help to her.
After giving said ass a swift kick, he filled a glass with water, snagged some painkillers, and took everything back to the woman. Who he still didn’t know the name of. Another thing he should’ve asked immediately.
Such a fucking idiot, Bo.
She’d moved into a sitting position with her feet on the floor, her gaze taking in his home. As he approached, a shiver racked her frame.
“Here.” He set everything he carried on the coffee table and pulled the blanket around her shoulders. He rubbed them for warmth until she stiffened under his hold.
Realizing what he’d done, he dropped his hands and moved to the opposite end of the couch. Instead of acknowledging the overly intimate gesture, he swept a hand toward the table with a grunt. “There’s water and 500 milligrams of acetaminophen.”
Her quiet thank you had him squeezing the back of his neck, avoiding eye contact.
Just fucking apologize.It couldn’t get any more awkward than he’d already made it.
“I’m sorr—” he said at the same time she started recording a voicemail.
“Yumi, it’s me—” she paused and glanced at him.
Bo said nothing else, but the cabin was suddenly too warm. His skin heated from the inside out.
She turned away and finished her message, “It’s Selene. Mr. Dao, he . . .” Her delicate throat bobbed on a swallow.
Selene.
Bo liked her name. It was exotic, just like her.
“You’re in danger. When you get this, call me back atthisnumber. Please. And go somewhere safe.”
He wanted to put a hurt on Dao for the fear he heard in Selene’s voice. Bo blinked but couldn’t shake the feeling. It was irrational. He didn’t know this woman, yet he felt extremely protective of her.
Her sea-churned gaze met his. “She didn’t pick up.” Her hands fiddled nervously with the phone, clearly worried for her friend.
“Why don’t you text? In case she sees that first.”
“Good idea.”
He watched her fingers fly over the keyboard and wondered who Mr. Dao was.
Is he the guy who took a shot at her?
Bo’s nose flared, his jaw flexing. If Dao were the one who’d hurt her, he’d make damn sure he didn’t get another opportunity.
When she hit send, she met his gaze. She didn’t say anything, just studied him with those piercing eyes. As a SEAL, he’d been on his share of ships. The colors in her irises reminded him of waves crashing against the hull at dusk, the green blending with the gray.
Shifting in his seat, he cleared his throat. “I’m Everett. But you can call me Bo.”
She handed the phone back. “Thanks for your help, Bo.”
He set it on the coffee table. “We’ll leave it here in case your friend responds.”
She thanked him again, and the words started getting to him. He didn’t deserve her thanks. It made his skin burn like coming in contact with a hot brand.
Before he growled at her to stop, he got down to business. “Where did you come from?”
She shook her head. “I have no idea where we are, but I live in Big Sky.”
