Chances Are(35)

Noah and Jake locked gazes, the expression on both men’s faces indicated neither wanted to answer the question.

“What?” she asked.

“We think he had chosen to keep you,” Jake said. “Marking you with the rose was his brand.”

Despite her feeling of wellbeing, shudders of revulsion went through her. She tried her best to make light of the situation by quipping, “How about that. I must be a better actress than I thought.”

Noah’s mouth moved up in a slight smile but Jake’s remained flat and grim.

Wanting to erase the sadness from his face, she changed the subject. “Did Clarissa make it home okay?”

“Yes.” Noah’s mouth tilted up even more. “She’s tougher than she looks.”

He was right. Clarissa had come by yesterday to thank Angela once again. Though the young woman looked fragile and would probably suffer nightmares for years, the set to her chin and the look in her eyes told Angela she would be fine. Amazing what a person could endure and survive.

“I’m hoping I’ll get to go home today.”

Jake shook his head. “You need to stay here a couple more days.”

“I’ll feel better at home. There’s nothing more the doctors can do. I just need some healing time.”

“You can’t walk yet.”

She lifted her chin. “So? No matter if I stay here or go home, I won’t be able to walk for weeks. At least if I’m home, I’ll be in my own bed.”



Jake watched her closely. Even though he wanted to keep her here, protected from the world, he didn’t argue. Just seeing the stubborn light in her eyes was worth any additional worry he had that she needed to be completely healed before going home. Compared to how she’d looked three days ago, her recovery was nothing short of miraculous. He would never forget the moment she tried to walk to him and then collapsed in his arms. Her courage awed him.

He had yet to tell her that she wasn’t going home alone. They hadn’t talked about their relationship. Hell, she had no idea that he even wanted one. He had been waiting for the right time but now wondered why he hadn’t already told her. At that question, he stopped. Of course he knew why he hadn’t told her. What if she said no? She didn’t seem to blame him for what happened but that didn’t mean she wanted anything else to do with him. He’d rejected her, slept with her when she was in a vulnerable state, and almost let her get killed by a serial killer. It was a wonder she allowed him into her room.

Remaining cautious, he said, “Let’s see what the doctor says before you get too set on leaving.”

As if she’d been summoned, a knock sounded and Dr. Bittner appeared. “How are we doing today?”

“We’re doing just great and want to go home.”

She smiled. “Now that’s a coincidence. I came to tell you that you’re being released today.”

Angela threw a look at Jake, her eyes dancing with an ‘I told you so’ light. How could she act as if nothing had happened when every time he closed his eyes, he imagined the horror she had endured? Her resilience amazed and humbled him.

“No trying to walk on those feet for at least another ten days or so. I’ll send your chart to your regular physician.”

Jake listened carefully as the doctor issued orders about her feet, the lingering headaches she might experience because of her concussion, and the need to watch for infection of the numerous cuts on her body.

“I was thinking about hiring a nurse,” Angela said. “Just for a few days to help me get in and out of the shower and things like that.”

The doctor nodded approvingly. “That’s an excellent idea.”

Jake could feel McCall’s eyes on him. Yesterday he had informed his boss that he would be taking care of Angela when she was released. The man had been set on bringing Angela to his home and hiring someone to care for her. He’d said Samara was quite intent on the idea. Jake had assured him that Samara was more than welcome to come by for visits but that Jake would see to Angela’s care.

McCall hadn’t argued but had seemed dammed amused for some reason.

“I have the plane on standby,” McCall said. “I’ll let them know we’ll be leaving in a few hours.”

As soon as McCall and the doctor walked out the door, Jake turned to her. “I’m going home with you.”

She blinked at him. “Of course you are. There’s plenty of room on the plane.”

“No, I mean I’m moving in with you.”

“What?”

He grinned, hoping he didn’t look as nervous as he felt. “You told me I needed to find a better place to live.”

“Do I get a say in this?”

Jake swallowed hard, the lump in his throat growing larger. Dammit, she was right. After what happened to her, she probably wanted nothing to do with him.

“Let me do this for you, Angela. What happened to you was my fault. I should have watched your back.”

Dark eyes stared hard at him for several seconds. He withstood the look. If she wanted to slug him for not being there for her, he’d take that, too. It was no less than he deserved.

Finally, with a small nod, she said, “I appreciate the offer. I could really use the help.”

Relieved that she hadn’t just told him to get the hell out of her life, he said, “I appreciate you letting me help.”

“You’re wrong about one thing, Jake. What happened wasn’t your fault.”

He disagreed, but wasn’t going to argue. She’d let him off the hook way too easy. “I can’t believe you’re healing so quickly. You’ll be back to researching at LCR before you know it.”

Instead of the spunky comeback he expected, her eyes remained dark and solemn. Jake didn’t know what to say to return the light to her eyes. He only knew that he felt responsible for being the one to make it go away in the first place.





Chapter Twenty

Paris

“This tea is too tepid,” Angela groused.

“Sorry.” Jake took back the mug of tea he’d just handed her. “Let me heat it up for you.”

She watched him disappear into the kitchen and blew out a heavy sigh. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the tea. It was Jake’s attitude that was driving her crazy.

She’d been home for over a week. Since her apartment was on the third floor, she had decided to stay in her parents’ home. A single level with no steps or stairs, the house was a breeze to maneuver through on her crutches.

Oddly enough, coming to her parents’ home had given her some kind of closure. The grief wasn’t as sharp or overwhelming as it had been before. Instead she had found comfort here, as if her family’s love had been retained within these walls. She now knew she wouldn’t be selling the house. She was going to give up her apartment and move back here. This was her home now.

Hearing the microwave ding, Angela braced herself for the confrontation. Jake had taken care of every need she might have. He’d been sweet, attentive and kind. Had done everything she asked and had attempted to anticipate her needs before she even had them. Was it any wonder he was driving her up the wall?

Where was the man who went out of his way to piss her off to get a reaction? Where was the man who joked with her, flirted with her? Where was the man who’d made such passionate love to her that just the memory of that night could bring her to arousal?

She missed that man. The fascinating, frustrating, and infinitely loveable Jake Mallory had been replaced with a guilt-ridden, too-polite stranger. She wanted the real Jake Mallory back. She wanted to fight and laugh with him, kiss and caress him until her breath became his.

He blamed himself for what happened and had apologized multiple times. And for each apology, she had insisted that what happened hadn’t been his fault. The guilt from his wife’s tragic death had colored the true facts. He was intent on taking all the blame on himself. Angela couldn’t allow that to continue.

And even if there was blame, then it should be shared. They’d been partners and had completely missed the fact that just because she had taken herself off the op, didn’t mean the killer wasn’t following her.

For the last couple of days she had become deliberately impossible, making all sorts of demands on him that any reasonable person would refuse. But Jake and his wrongly placed guilt continued to take her abuse. She wanted to cry.

Returning to stand in front of her, he handed her a steaming mug. “Here you go. See if it’s any better.”

Not lifting her hand to take the tea, she just shook her head. “It won’t be.”

“What?”

“Look Jake, I really appreciate all you’ve done but I don’t think this is going to work out.”

“Why?”

“Because nothing you do can change what happened.”