Page 40 of Damned
“You’re not a deadbeat husband. You’re… you’re…” Bree choked. She had no idea what category Kruze fell into. She’d honestly thought she’d loved him in Paris, but it had hurt so much when he’d left without a word. Why was she defending him now?
“Yes, I’m the worst kind of deadbeat dad. I can’t deny it,” he said quietly. “I failed you, and I failed my one and only child. I should’ve been with you when you were pregnant and especially when you delivered our daughter. Hell, I should’ve been there for you since Paris. But I wasn’t, and I can’t go back in time and change what happened. I’ve already told you I’m an ass, and I am. But I’d like the chance to make up for the time I’ve wasted. Berfendeis in the country.”
“Wait. What?” Talk about changing the subject.
Kruze leaned into her surprised face. “You heard me. I’ve been talking with my boss.”
“Who is—?”
“Senator McQueen Sullivan from Texas. He’s got solid intel that Berfendeentered through JFK. The FBI lost track of him, but—”
“But Queens, New York? That’s so close.” Bree shivered. She’d never met Berfende, but Josephus was bad enough. Berfendehad to be worse.
“My thoughts exactly. This is no coincidence. Sullivan and I both believe Berfendeintends to reacquire you. He’s a terrorist, plain and simple. He wants to make a point.”
Gorge lifted up her throat at the point Berfendehad already made by demanding Josephus deliver her to him like a side of meat. “What’ll I do? Robin… Mom and Dad….” She turned into Kruze’s arms, panic roaring in her head. “I can’t go through that again. What if he hurts my family this time? Like they killed Mehmet?”
“Shush, sugar, shush.” Kruze tugged her under his arm and scrubbed a hand up under her ponytail to the back of her neck. It felt good being close to him again. To hear that strong heart beating under his ribs. To feel his warm hand on her bare skin. “I know you’re scared, but no one’s going to hurt you or your family, least of all that rat bastard. We do need to leave, though, tonight. Sullivan has safe houses all over the country. We’ll protect your entire family. I’ll need help telling your parents and our little girl, though.”
Bree pulled back from the man she didn’t really know. “Are you telling me the truth or is this your attempt to—?”Get me to make love with you again?
Kruze cocked his head as if what she’d insinuated hit home. His lips thinned and his beautiful, sexy eyes darkened. His nostrils flared. “This is my attempt to save your family’s lives, Brianna Banks. That’s all. Do you honestly think I’d lie?”
“No, no, of course not. I didn’t mean that. I’m just…”Out of my mind.Bree collapsed against his side. “I had no right. I’m sorry I said that. It’s just… I thought once I was home, I’d be safe. Why… How does he know where I live? Oh, my Lord! That telemarketer!”
“What telemarketer?”
“A man. Yesterday. He called on Mom’s house phone. He sounded like he was from Pakistan or India or…” Bree couldn’t breathe, her heart was pounding so hard.
“What’d he say?”
“He… he asked if I was Brianna Banks, the reporter.” Bree fell back into that despicable hole again. She was trapped. There was no way out. Hysteria took over. “You know what? I can’t do this anymore! First, Turkey, and now you’re telling me that nightmare isn’t over. That I need to go inside and p-p-ack a bag for me and my baby girl, and I need my medicine, and… My God, Berfendeis really here? In America? That must’ve been him. It had to be. He tracked me down, then called to make sure he found me. And I answered! I hate that stupid, old phone!”
Kruze crushed her to him before the scream in her heart climbed out of her throat. Bree was out of control, her panic aiming straight for hysteria.
“Be still. Please, just shush,” he murmured, his lips warm and gentle on her cheek, his voice so damned low and sweet. “You’re upset, and you’re having a panic attack. Stop. You’re only hurting yourself. Please stop.”
“I can’t! I’m not upset, I’m s-s-scared, you idiot!” she cried, her poor heart about to explode.
“I know, but honest, this time Berfende’s on my turf, in my country. He’s a pompous ass, and he’s bitten off more than he can chew. Trust me. I’ve got this handled. Sullivan and I won’t let anything happen to you and Robin, or to your folks. Let’s get you and your family packed and out of here. That will help. You’ll feel better once they’re in a safe house. They’ll have to hurry. One suitcase a piece. Let’s put Robin to bed first, then talk to your parents.”
Bree nodded even as she clutched Kruze close. She had escalated quickly this time, but she was so tired of being scared. Even Kruze tapping at her car earlier had nearly pushed her over the thin line between her sanity and screaming. She didn’t know how much she could take. Her fear was killing her, and she was part of the problem. For Robin’s sake, it needed to stop. All of it!
“Yes. Right. I can do this. R-r-right. I can.”I can. I can. I can!
Kruze turned her to face him, then bumped foreheads with her, his breath soft and warm. “I know you can, sugar. You and I outsmarted him once, we can do it again. Big breath. Deep breath. There you go. Slow exhalation. Nice and easy. Hyperventilation won’t help anyone, and you need to be on your best game from now on.” Like in that cave, his chest expanded as if he needed to show her how to breathe.
Once Bree did as Kruze asked, her heart ceased pounding quite so hard. Of course, he was right. In his line of work, Bree guessed he knew a lot of tricks and rules for keeping sane in the middle of chaos. He certainly knew how to help her rein in her panic. Bree could actually breathe without her throat clamping tight and her heart racing. Okay then. It was time to break this horrible cycle once and for all. Right after she broke the news to her mom and dad that they had to leave the home they’d built and lived in since they’d gotten married.
