Page 32 of Broken Dreams

Careful not to wake her, he slid backwards until they were both stretched out in the bed. He drew one end of the bedspread over her, then tucked her against his chest. With his chin nestled in her hair, he relaxed against the pillow.

If all he could do for her was to give her an hour of peaceful sleep, then that's what he would do. Although holding her in his arms like this, mere hours before he was scheduled to leave, was sweet, sweet torture.

A fierce banging woke Amber from a sound sleep. Confused, she lifted her head and glanced around.

“Open up, Tanner! I know you're in there.” The words were emphasized by more pounding.

“Stop it, I'm coming.” She crawled from the bed, straightening her scrubs as she did. Nick stirred on the bed. The room was dark, indicating she and Nick must have slept for hours. Nothing inappropriate had happened, however she suspected her family thought the worst.

“Amber? Open this door or I'll break it in!”

Knowing her brother wasn't kidding, she flicked on the light and wrenched the door open. “Alec, what is your problem?”

“What are you guys doing?” Dressed in full cop gear, Alec shouldered past her, scanning the room like a madman. Thank goodness she and Nick were dressed and that nothing had happened. Not that Nick would ever cross the line like that. And neither would she. “Do you realize we just busted a drug deal in a room on the second floor of this motel?”

“A drug deal?” She stared at him. “What does that have to do with me? With us?” She shut the door, trying hard not to slam it. Nick had risen to his feet and stood on the opposite side of the double bed, watching her brother with a wary eye. “You're acting crazy, busting in here like a madman.”

“Why didn't you answer your phone?” Alec didn't give an inch, standing with a wide stance as if he was ready to go for his gun at any second.

With a guilty flush, she glanced around for her purse. She'd left it on the floor near the bed. Picking it up, she found her cell phone that she'd left on vibrate. She always kept it on vibrate while working. She winced when she saw there were nine missed calls.

She tossed the phone back in her purse. “I was busy.” Alec wouldn't be acting this way if it was her brother Adam here in a hotel in a motel room.

“Too busy to consider Mom’s needs?” Alec’s accusing glance swept over the wrinkled bed into her equally wrinkled clothes.

Guilt burned the back of her throat like lye. “I'm sorry. I know I should have called, but I am not the only child she has. And that's no excuse for your behavior, Alec. We didn’t do anything wrong. You’re wired a little too tight.”

Nick found his voice. “But now that he's here, tell him what happened with Roland. I know you’re more upset than you let on.”

Alec's gaze narrowed, bouncing between the two of them. “What do you mean? What happened?”

Great, just what she needed—more fuel to pour on her brother's fiery temper. She shot Nick a narrowed look, warning him to keep his mouth shut. “Nothing. Never mind.”

“What happened?” Ignoring her, Alec addressed Nick.

“The medical director of the unit that Amber works for was drunk, grabbed her shoulders and shook her hard enough to make her teeth rattle. Then when she tried to escape, he grabbed her again then fell on her, pinning her against the car.” Nick waved at her. “Trust me, she has the bruises to prove it.”

Alec spun toward her.

“Forget it.” She crossed her arms and resisted the urge to scream at the top of her lungs. What was it about her brothers that made them deaf and dumb when it came to her wishes? “You come storming in here like some psycho and now you want to talk rationally? Get out Alec. I am twenty-six years old. I don’t need you to watch over me.” A strangled laugh bubbled out through her tight throat. “This is exactly why I can't wait to move to Florida. After this stunt of yours, I may not even bother to give you my address once I'm settled.”

Her brother clenched his jaw. “We care about you, Amber. No one was able to reach you for hours. That gives us a right to be worried. Let me see your bruises, who is this guy? We can still pick him up for assault.”

“You are not arresting anyone.” She glanced at her watch and winced at the late hour. “It's ten o'clock at night. Don't you have real bad guys to catch? Go chase your drug dealers and leave me alone.”

Alec stared at her for a long minute, as if reassuring himself she was really alright. Then he moved toward the door. “Mom and Dad have been frantic, wondering what happened to you. You better call them.”

“I will.” She stood her ground.

Alec glanced at Nick's bag propped beside the door. He raised a brow. “Leaving?”

Nick shrugged. “Eventually. Why?”

“Just wondering.” Alec’s smile seemed laced with satisfaction. “See you later, Amber.”

“Not if I see you, first.” She gave her brother a shove, surprising him enough to make him stumble. “Goodbye Alec.”

When the door closed behind her brother, she dropped onto the edge of the bed and cradled her head in her hands. Her voice was muffled. “I'm sorry.”

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