Page 16 of Lethal Threat
I frown at the wooden panel. “How about you come out so we can talk?”
A groan. “No. Please. I’m not ready. I may never be ready.”
Resolve has me leaning a hand on the doorframe. “I’m not leaving.”
“Please, have mercy.”
“I could get the nurse.”
Silence on the other side. I consider chasing down the nurse that let me in, but I decide this is between me and Sierra. My fake fiancée.
The woman I’ve loved and lost.
“You can come out, or I can come in.”
Thesounds of the hospital filter into the room, but otherwise there’s nothing but tense silence.
“Sweetheart, I’m going to open the door now.”
But she beats me to it. The handle twists and the door creaks open a fraction of an inch.
Not enough, but it’s progress. “Ready?” I ask.
“Never.”
I chuckle at the absurdity of the moment. “Sweetheart, I know you’re nervous. Truthfully, I am too. You’ve got to be scared. But I’m here to take care of you. Nothing’s going to happen now. We’ll get you home so you can heal up.”
I rest my other hand on the cold metal door handle. “I’m coming in now.”
She inhales sharply. “No. Let me come out. It’s claustrophobic in here.”
“Alright, come on.”
“Move back, please.”
I step away from the door, giving her room. I understand not wanting to be crowded. Her nervous system is clearly operating in a high stress mode.
The door swings. My insides tighten.
Out shuffles Sierra. She doesn’t look my way. She heads right for the windows, snagging a cup of water off her table as she goes.
Damn. Not the reunion expected.
I wasn’t sure what would happen, but flat out ignoring me isn’t one of the scenarios.
As my shock wears off, my worry grows. Even as strong as my spine is, I sway on my feet.
She’s so small. So alone.
Especially framed by two enormous windows, standing with her back to me. Her shoulders are hunched. And her whole body is strung tight.
There is a sizzling, anxious energy in the room coming from both of us.
I try to lighten the mood. “That’s a pretty interesting outfit. What are you wearing?
She shakes her head. “Don’t even ask. This is what that Slaughter guy sent for me.”
A grin ghosts across my face. “That explains. If Cade didn’t wear a uniform all the time, the fashion police would lock him up and throw away the key.”
