Echoes at Dawn (KGI #5)(23)

“Yeah, I know how that goes,” Sam said dryly.

“They never officially existed, but here’s the thing, Sam. As of two years ago they no longer unofficially existed either. They were disbanded, retired, whatever the f**k you want to call it. A few politicians out to make names for themselves got a little too close for comfort so they shut Titan down.”

Sam frowned. “I got a call from Rio who says differently. He told me that Titan was after Grace and that Shea could be a target too. He told me to make sure Shea was safe and that he would take care of Grace.”

“Wait a minute,” Resnick said eagerly. “He has Grace? He found her? Is she okay? When is he bringing her in?”

“He’s not.”

“What?”

“Rio isn’t taking any chances with her safety. He thinks, and I agree, that it would be stupid to put the girls together right now. He warned me about Titan. Said a lot of the same things you told me, which tells me he has firsthand knowledge of this group. If he says they’re after her, then I believe him.”

“Fuck, Sam. Fuck, f**k, f**k. This isn’t good. If he’s right, then it means that Titan has gone rogue or for hire. Which means we have no idea who they work for or what their goal is. They could be working for anyone in the world.”

“Exactly. My first priority is the safety of my family and my teams. I’ve taken steps to ensure their well-being. Rio has Grace. I believe he’d die before allowing anything to happen to her.”

“I hope you’re willing to bet that on her life,” Resnick said. “Because your man, Rio? Was Titan’s front man from its inception until he walked away several years ago. Maybe you should think about that and whether you should trust him with the woman that he claims Titan is after.”

CHAPTER 13

WHAT was she supposed to do now? Flop onto the couch? Catch some television? She stood stiffly as the others came in behind her, shedding backpacks, setting rifles aside and conversing among themselves.

She knew what she wanted, but somehow it seemed…rude. She nearly laughed at the notion that after all she’d been through, she was concerned with not being Miss Manners.

She wanted a bed. Any bed. Hell, even the floor. She just wanted to be able to relax, let go of some of the awful tension and fear. She wanted to sleep where she felt safe and protected.

Rio took a step toward her and put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Diego is going to take a look at you. I thought you might like a shower first. I have a shower and a tub. Wi ~C;Fronted a bell you be okay on your own or do you need help?”

Heat singed her cheeks and for a moment her lips went numb. What the hell was she supposed to say to that? Even if she couldn’t bloody well get herself into and out of the shower, she sure as hell wasn’t going to ask him to come in with her.

“I can manage,” she said in a low voice.

“Okay, then I’ll show you to the bedroom where you’ll sleep. After you get out of the shower, Diego will check you over and by then I’ll have you something to eat. You have to be starving.”

She blinked in confusion. It had been so long since she’d eaten a normal meal that she’d forgotten what it was like. She’d lost weight and she could feel her ribs protruding against her skin. She probably looked like a damn gaunt scarecrow.

She rubbed over her slim abdomen as she stared down, almost as if expecting some sign of life from her belly. Truthfully the idea of food didn’t appeal to her at all, but she knew she should at least make the effort.

“Come on,” Rio said gently.

She let him guide her through the living room and down the hall past a series of rooms. At the end, he opened a door, flipped on the light and gestured her inside.

It was a large room. Huge, in fact. And it looked masculine. It was then she realized that this must be his room. She shook her head and took a step back.

“I can’t take your room. Surely there’s another one I can have.”

Rio smiled and shook his head. “Nope. Taken by the other guys unless you want to bunk with one of them.”

Her forehead crinkled and he laughed, making her realize her expression had reflected her horror over that idea.

“I’ll take the couch. I just need a blanket. Not even that really. The couch will feel like heaven.”

“Grace,” he said, lightly touching his finger to her lips. “Shut up. You’re staying here with me.”

Her eyes widened and her legs started to tremble.

“Don’t look so afraid. I’m going to be camping on the floor next to the bed. The others will be just down the hall. I want you to feel safe and you will be. We’re going to do all we can to make sure you’re protected.”

“You can’t sleep on the floor,” she fretted. She pulled up her hands to wring them. Somehow the image of him lying on the floor while she slept in such wonderful comfort made her feel guilty. He was already doing so much for her.

Rio smiled again. “Honey, the floor of my house is far superior to a lot of the places I’ve slept in the past. I have some pretty damn fine linens. A down comforter and a few down pillows and I’ll think I’m staying at a five-star hotel. Now stop arguing with me and get into the shower. I’m sending Diego in after half an hour, so if you don’t want him seeing what he shouldn’t, you need to hurry it up. I’ll be in right behind him with food.”