Page 62 of Atone in Darkness
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Marisol was there. Finally. He wanted her. Craved her touch. Now. Right there on that cold steel table with nothing but a thin curtain walling off the rest of the world. Chase lifted his hand, hoping she’d come close enough for him to make that happen, but the chain prevented him from reaching more than a few inches. He ignored the throb of pain from his wrist that he’d rubbed raw from hisefforts to break free of his bonds.
“Come here.”
He’d meant to coax, but his words came out in a deep growl, which only succeeded in slowing her approach. His pretty keeper wasn’t a coward, though. She moved carefully, maybe trying not to startle him. More likely, she recognized the need for caution when approaching a wounded predator. He closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. Her scentoverrode the medicinal stench of the lab. It was soothing. Familiar.
Finally she was close enough that he could feel her warmth. His body was awash with hormones and hunger, buthe fought to control the primitive urges that demanded to be satisfied.
“I’m here, Chase.”
Her hand fluttered down to rest on his chest, the featherlight touch the first real connection he’d felt in this uphill battleto regain his hold on his humanity.
“Good.”
When he didn’t fight to break free, she used her other hand to stroke his cheek. He risked opening his eyes, hoping they wouldn’t scare her into bolting for the nearest exit. She winced, but at least she stood her ground.
“I’m sorry this happened to you. If you hadn’t been talking to me—”
He jerked his head in denial, ignoring the surge of pain themotion set off. “Not your fault.”
Her pretty mouth crooked up in a small smile. “That’s what one of the other Paladins said, but I’m not sure anyone else agrees. They know I worked for the Cadre.”
It was difficult to string the right words together, but he tried. “Doesn’t matter to me. Don’t listen to them.”
Marisol’s dark eyes were so shiny right now. Tears? He hated tears. Hated that shefelt guilty. Hated his friends for blaming her. His anger burned hot. If only he could get off this bed, he’d show the bastards what happened to anyone who threatened his woman. Then he’d take her someplace more private where the two of them would—
An angry voice derailed that thought. “What the hell is she doing here alone with him? We never agreed to that.”
Having Marisol there had helpedground him in reality. This time he didn’t doubt it really was his brother-in-lawstanding there and being a major jackass. He managed to capture Marisol’s hand in his before she could stage a hasty retreat in the face of all that anger.
“It’s not your call, Jarvis. Until Laurel says otherwise, Dr. Riggs stays.”
Chase turned his head to look at the newest member of the crowd ranging around hisbed. It was Devlin Bane himself stepping in to defend Marisol’s right to be there. He wasn’t sure if Jarvis or Marisol looked more surprised by that fact.
Gwen glared at Marisol as she joined the discussion. “They said she helped torture him all this time.”
Chase’s temper went from a constant simmer to a full-rolling boil as a wave of pure rage washed away the small amount of control he’d had.His chains clanged against the metal table as everyone danced back out of reach. Everyone but Marisol, who got right in his face.
She jerked free of his grasp and then used both hands to capture his head, forcing him to focus solely on her. “Stop that right now, Chase Mosely. You’re worrying your family and your friends.”
Her dark eyes held his captive as she continued to talk in a calm tone.“You heard the man. I’m here. I’m staying, so quit being a jerk to the people who love you.”
The orange haze clouding his vision faded a little and with it the volatile mix of emotions that had been riding roughshod over his control. “Keep talking. It helps.”
Marisol nodded. “I’ve met several really nice people since I got here. Dr. Young and Brenna Trahern for two. Blake Trahern has been particularlysweet to me.”
Chase was vaguely aware of Jarvis snorting and thensaying, “Is this the same Trahern I know? Becausesweetand Trahern don’t belong in the same sentence.”
Everyone laughed a little, but his keeper ignored them and kept right on talking. “We were right about being in the Pacific Northwest. I’ve never been to Seattle before, but it’s a beautiful city.”
Devlin’s deep voice enteredthe conversation again. “Doc, here’s a stool. Sit down. Can we get you anything to eat or drink?”
Marisol seemed surprised that he cared about her comfort. She briefly looked at the Paladin leader. “Thanks, I’d love a soft drink. A diet cola if possible.”
Then she was right back with him 100 percent. No matter how many people were in the room, right now the world had narrowed down to the twoof them. The rest could squabble among themselves. Marisol was all that mattered, even if he was so damn tired that he couldn’t quite follow what she was telling him. Something about a helicopter landing on a skyscraper. Devlin and Trahern. Laurel and Brenna. The Space Needle and being in Seattle.
Was she repeating herself? He didn’t care. All he knew was that her voice tethered him to this worldeven as he drifted off to sleep.
