Page 37 of Tribute
“Lee.” He looked over and nodded. “Are you ready to go?”
She went to the two men and shook hands with the female doctor.
“I’ll have the entire report sent to you when it’s completed, Anna, but so far everything’s looking good.”
“Thank you.”
The doctor looked from her to Akran. “Commander Akran will help you settle into your new life and will remain your primary contact with us and with the military.”
“That’s fine. He’s been very . . . kind to me.”
Kai’s eyebrow flew up at that, but he didn’t say anything. Neither did Akran. The doctor went into her office, leaving Anna with the two men.
“So Rehz invited me to share dinner with you, Lee,” Kai said. “Is that still okay? You look tired.”
“No, that’s fine. If I fall asleep, you can entertain each other.”
And she wouldn’t have to deal with being alone with Akran on their last night together. That was probably for the best. Hadn’t she read something once about an ancient syndrome in which the captive fell in love with the captor and lost all sense of reality? Was that what was happening to her? Because the thought of leaving Akran was . . .
“Are you coming, Lee? There’s a vehicle waiting.”
Anna kept her thoughts to herself and followed Kai and Akran out into the military all-purpose truck. They were both big guys, and people automatically got out of their way in the hallways, so they moved through faster than she had expected. One thing she’d learned during her training was to gather her resources and expect the worst. All she had to do was keep it together for a little longer and everything would work out fine.
Yeah, that was right.
“Fine,” she muttered as Kai held the door open for her.
“Did you say something, Lee?”
She summoned up a smile. “Just thank you.”
Rehz watched as Anna Lee struggled to keep her eyes open on the journey back to his apartment. She kept falling against Kai’s shoulder. Eventually, after a wry look at Rehz, Kai picked her up and sat her in his lap.
“You might as well get comfortable, Lee. Judging from the traffic, it’s going to take a while.”
From what Rehz could see, she was deeply asleep before Kai even finished joking with her. Kai’s arms tightened around her and he kissed the top of her head.
“I’m glad she made it.”
“So I see.”
Kai frowned. “You don’t sound very happy about it.”
“Trust me, I am.”
“You just don’t like me holding her, do you?”
Rehz didn’t even bother to answer that and looked out of the window instead.
“I heard you and Palk had a falling out. He’s been telling everyone you’re pussy-whipped and that he can’t wait to get you out of his unit.”
Kai had never known when to shut up.
“As of today I’m officially retired. Fuck Palk.”
“So are you?”
“What? Fucking Palk? Not anymore. That’s why he’s talkinggreezabout me.”
