Page 63 of Wine & Whiskey
She smiles at Carrie’s attempt to lighten the mood, trying to prevent a repeat of last night’s tension. “Nope, I didn’t get lucky either. Nick was gone when I woke up.”
Nathan clears his throat, putting an end to the sex talk he always hates. He meets her gaze, a frown wrinkling his forehead. “I’m sorry about last night. I meant what I said, but I could have handled it better. I shouldn’t have been so harsh to you or Nick.”
A little bit of the anxiety seizing her shoulders loosens. Used to making instant, life-altering decisions, Nathan isn’t one for emotions or hysterics, making his apology rare yet sincere. “I appreciate you saying that. So, where does that leave us?”
“I still don’t think you should be with Nick. But, it doesn’t look like you’re going to change your mind. So, we’ll support you as best we can.” His hand curls around Carrie’s arm, a small smile lighting up her friend’s face at his sweet protectiveness. “If anything else happens though, all deals are off. Carrie’s out of here. We'll hire Eugene or some other security to protect her.”
“Understood.” Wrapping her arms around herself, she takes a deep breath and looks up from the carpet. Nick deserves one more request on his behalf, whether he believes it or not. “I don’t want you to bring up Evan anymore. He hurt me, and it’s not fair to compare him to Nick. I know Nick’s not perfect, but he’s never done anything but love me.”
His face grows red and his eyes widen, the vein in his temple throbbing. “And put you in danger. Damn it, Shae! I don’t understand how you can’t see how bad this guy is and how wrong it is for you to be with him.”
She cringes at Carrie’s startled jump, guilt stinging her heart for putting her friend in the middle of their argument. “I can’t change how I feel about him.”
“I’m not asking you to. I just want you to step back and look at the situation for what it really is. Give yourself some space from him. Then maybe you’ll realize you’d be better off without him.”
“You’re not being fair, he…” The words get caught in her throat, fearful of betraying Nick’s confidence. No one understands he and his job are not the same, even though they are forever intertwined.
Carrie presses her cheek against Nathan’s and locks eyes with Shae, playing peacemaker. “Okay, baby, calm down. She gets it.”
Last night’s disappointment returns as he stands up and jerks his bag off the iron bench. “I have to take a shower and get to the hospital.”
After the door closes, Carrie sighs and climbs back under the blankets. “At least I get to stay.”
“That makes me happy.”
“Me too.”
Carrie’s sad smile fades, and she twists her hair into a bun, her telltale sign of worry. “Are you going to Jason’s?”
“Yes, we need to talk. I might as well get it over with.”
“Good luck. Find me when you get back.”
Inside the house, Marta stands at the kitchen counter whipping eggs in a green ceramic bowl. A hollow clank rings from the edge as she taps her whisk against the side and smiles at Shae. “Good morning. I tell Nick breakfast ready soon. He look for you. He worry.”
Guilt churns in her chest at his search for her. After everything they’ve been through, he still doesn’t trust her not to run. Not that she can blame him. Her track record isn’t so strong. “Thank you for letting me know. I’ll go find him.” She runs up the stairs and meets him coming out of the bedroom.
His smile doesn’t hide the relief in his eyes. “There you are.” His arm glides around her waist, and he leads her inside, closing the door behind them. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you woke up. Max had an update about Juan for me.”
Juan.
Her stomach drops. Uncertain what she wants to hear him say, not sure what she hopes the answer to be, she can’t bring herself to ask if he's dead. “What did he say?"
“He’s out of the country, back to his compound in Mexico.”
She leans back from his embrace. “I don’t understand. Why would he threaten us and then leave?”
“I’m not sure. My guess is he thinks he’s pushed it too far and knows we’re coming after him. He may be lying low to see if we back down.” He tucks a stray hair behind her ear before resting his hand on her cheek. “Regardless, the threat isn’t over. Nothing’s changed. I don’t want you leaving the house without a bodyguard. Max is going to escort you wherever you go.”
Unwilling to let him jeopardize his own safety with his concern for her, she shakes her head. “I’m sure Max has more important things to do than babysit me. He should stay with you.”
Nick’s gaze sears hers with worry. “Nothing’s more important to me than you.”
“You know what I mean. I don’t want to be a burden to him. He already has so much to take care of. Maybe one of the other guys should come with me.”
“Please don’t fight me on this. He’s the only person besides myself I trust to keep you safe.”
An argument she can’t win. Letting Max protect her provides Nick with the only reprieve from the guilt he tortures himself with. “Okay. I’ll do it for you.”
