Week 247 – Loving this

Zara hadn’t hesitated when Adam had asked if she trusted him. Of course she did. She understood where his suspicion had come from and couldn’t believe that the same man had touched both of their lives in horrible ways.

“What are we doing now?” she asked him. She knew for certain they couldn’t call the cops, Warrick’s twin brother was a cop and she knew from experience that the man wouldn’t turn on his brother, not for anything. Not even if Warrick had committed a crime.

“Leaving,” Adam said shortly. “Can you stand?”

She didn’t know if she could but she knew she would. Even if Warrick hadn’t come here for her he’d almost definitely followed her here, meaning it was her fault Adam had almost been killed. “I can stand.”

“Go get dressed, if you can’t make it on your leg then call out, don’t push it, I’m going to need you mobile when we leave.”

“Where are we going exactly?”

“Through the woods around the house, there’s a small cabin tucked away out there, once we get there we can make a plan. For now we need to leave.”

To illustrate his point, Adam repacked the first aid kit and headed from the room. Not wanting to slow him down, Zara stood, biting her lip to keep from crying out in pain, and hopped as best as she could towards the stairs.

“Loving this, loving this,” she muttered ironically, as she made her way painstakingly slowly up the stairs and down to her room. Going with loose fitting pants, a t-shirt, waterproof jacket, and boots, she paused when she got to the shoes. Getting the pants on had been hard enough, no way she’d be able to do the shoes on her own. She was about to call out when Adam appeared in the doorway, dressed with a large backpack on.

“Ready?” he asked.

“I need help with my shoes,” she replied.

Adam eased her onto the bed, then knelt before her, taking extra care sliding on her sock and boot on her injured leg. He frowned when he saw blood staining her clothes. “You aren’t going to be able to walk.”

The decision was an easy one to make. “Then leave me behind.”

“You don’t want to come with me?”

Zara hesitated. She did, but she was worried if she did she’d get him killed. “I feel safe with you but I can’t walk, and I don’t want you to get hurt because of me. Adam, my family owns one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. Warrick and my dad have been friends since childhood, my dad … he can be violent … but Warrick he’s something else. One of the reasons I took this job was because I found out my fiancé had been cheating on me, the other was I suspected Warrick might be smuggling drugs. His brother is the chief of police here, but I might be able to placate my dad enough to keep myself safe. I’d never forgive myself if you got hurt because of me, you’ve been through enough.” She reached out and cupped his cheek, stroking her thumb along his cheekbone. He’d already suffered more than anyone should, he deserved to live his life in peace.

“And I’d never forgive myself for causing another death. Its not any safer for you here than it is for me. But if you want I can call in a favour, get someone to come get you.”

“I’d rather stay with you, if you don’t mind.” The relief in his eyes stirred something inside her. She liked this complicated, gruff warrior. A lot. More than maybe she should. Zara leaned in and whispered her lips across his. “If you’re okay with me slowing you down then id rather stick by your side.”

“You won’t slow me down,” he said, and scooped her into his arms, striding with her towards the door like she weighed nothing at all. “I got you.”

Yeah. He did. And she liked it.