Page 66 of Nikolai
Considering his throat hurt when he spoke, he just nodded his head.She reached out for a blue thermos, unscrewed the top and put a straw in.She bent the straw to his mouth, and he sucked in blessed, ice-cold water.It felt like heaven.After only a few sips, though, she removed the thermos.
“I was told you can only have a little water at a time, but as often as you like.Don’t worry, I’ll be here.”
He clutched her hand.“What—” his throat seized up.
“What happened?”He nodded.
“Well, in a nutshell, we won.The bad guys came swooping in for the kill, but you shot the first one and I shot the second one after the first one shot you.”
His eyes widened.
“Yes indeed.I shot someone.Twice.I hit him, too, because I was highly motivated.He’d just shot you after you ran across the tunnel to shield me.I was so angry.I thought he’d killed you.He was walking toward you with a machine gun held in one hand just like in the movies.But I sighted along that gun you gave me—flipped the safety, red is dead—and aimed for the chest.But then his head exploded and that definitely wasn’t me.It was your friend Dylan, who is great, by the way, and the cavalry was right behind him.He’d taken a chopper.So all the bad guys were either killed or taken into custody.And Dylan told me to tell you that no one got a look at us.And no one knows us, knows we were there.And indeed, only three people know we were there.Not even the US soldiers who were there know who we are.Dylan made sure we were shielded.”
He blew out a breath of relief.The mob had long memories, and if it was general knowledge that he and Parker had thwarted a major heist of nukes, their lives wouldn’t be worth living.They’d have to go into hiding forever.
“What about—” he croaked.
“The nukes?I don’t really know, but Dylan said to tell you that NEST is on site and taking care of things.And that you guys don’t have to worry anymore.”
Nick’s shoulders relaxed.NEST officers were among the best and were guaranteed to keep the Davy Crocketts and man portables out of enemy hands.Stateside, the nukes would probably be destroyed.
“Dylan also said that we are never to talk of this to anyone.”
Nick felt his eyes widen in horror and he shook his head violently, then stopped because he had stitches in his neck.
“Don’t worry about me.I have no intention of ever saying anything to anyone except you and maybe Dylan.Also—I discovered that I have a violent and bloodthirsty streak I never knew I had, and I’m not proud of it.I have killed a man, and I feel absolutely no remorse.He’d just shot you and I thought you were dead, and I wanted him dead right back.”
Nick felt a smile sneak across his face.
Parker looked indignant.“You find that funny?”She stopped, considered.“Maybe it is funny, a little.”She squeezed his hand tightly.“I’m so glad you survived,” she whispered.
“Glad I survived, too,” he whispered.
Parker gave a sly smile.“You know, I saved your life.I think.Or if not, it was a saving-your-life adjacent act.You owe me.”
Nick let his eyes roam over that beautiful face.“I do.Big time.”
She cocked her head.“How are you going to reward me?”
Well, that was easy.The woman of his dreams had saved his life.How was he going to pay her back?
“Anything you want,” he croaked, voice flat.“Anything at all.”His voice was weak, but he meant every word with every fiber of his being.
Parker looked startled.She’d been teasing him and wasn’t expecting his sober answer.“Oh!Well, what I want is for you to get better.I hate seeing you like this.”
He rolled his eyes, and she laughed.“Yes, I know.You hate it more than I do.”
There was a soft knock and immediately after Dr.Crowley stepped in, pushing a cart.“Mr.Garin.And Dr.Parker!This is a delightful surprise.”
Parker smiled.“Do you want me to leave?”
“That is entirely at Mr.Garin’s discretion.Do you want Dr.Parker to leave?”
Nick shook his head no.
Dr.Crowley turned to Parker.“Ordinarily, yes, we’d ask visitors to leave, but it was made clear to me that we are to accommodate the two of you as much as possible.”He smiled, pointing a thumb at the ceiling.“Whatever you did, it pleased someone in power.Or several someones.And now, Doctor, I’ll have to ask you to move aside.”
She stepped aside, back against the wall.
