Long Road Home(5)

“I have to get out of here,” she said desperately.

He held her to his chest, feeling the erratic beat of her heart. It had been so long since he had held her. He picked her up, mindful of her injuries, and placed her back on the bed. She was light in his arms. Too light. She had gotten way too damn thin.

He held up her arm to inspect the IV. Satisfied that it was secure, he looped the plastic tubes over her ears and slipped the cannula back in place. “You aren’t going anywhere.”

Her lips formed a tight line, but he could see the panic, the fear in her eyes, and it pissed him off. What was she so afraid of? Who had done this to her? To Mom and Pop?

He sat down beside the bed and leveled a hard stare at her. “Now, suppose you tell me where it is you’re in such a hurry to go.”

“I’m not safe here… You’re not safe here.”

His brow wrinkled as he looked curiously at her. He hadn’t wanted to bombard her with questions so quickly, but if he didn’t now, he might not get another chance.

“Where have you been, baby?” he asked softly. “What happened three years ago?”

Chapter Four

Jules stared at Manny, the concern in his eyes nearly her undoing. It was all there in his face. Worry. Anguish. She’d caused it all.

She closed her eyes and turned away. She’d never considered herself a coward. Hell, she’d faced death down more times than she could count, but she couldn’t bear to look him in the eye any longer.

“Was it that bad?” he asked, a catch in his voice.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

He blew out his breath in frustration, something he’d always done when aggravated.

“I’m sorry, Manny,” she offered, trying desperately to keep a tight rein on her emotions. Seeing him, being able to touch him was all she had dreamed of for the last three years. And now that she could, his possible recrimination kept her at a distance. “Please don’t hate me. I couldn’t bear it if you hated me.” Her voice cracked, and she fell silent.

“Jesus, Jules. What on earth are you thinking?” He pulled her almost roughly into his arms. He held her against his chest, her face buried in the warmth of his shirt. She breathed in, content to remain still for just a moment.

Too soon he eased her away and forced her to look at him. “I don’t hate you, Jules. Christ, I’ve dreamed of little else other than seeing you again. Hoping against hope you weren’t dead. Nothing could make me hate you.”

His green eyes probed her intently, his eyebrows furrowed in grave determination. He looked older, and she wondered if she was the cause of the lines around his eyes. Yet another thing to add to her growing pile of guilt. If only she had never gone to France. If only. There were so many if onlys.

Nothing could make me hate you. He had no idea the things she had done. Would he really say that if he knew?

She was tired, so damn tired. She closed her eyes wearily and leaned back against her pillow. When she opened them again, she saw concern flare in Manny’s eyes.

“I’m going to have the nurse give you a sleeping pill. You need to rest. You’ll be transferring in a few hours.”

Alarm shot through her. She couldn’t go with Manny. Couldn’t place him in danger. Northstar wouldn’t hesitate to kill anyone who got in his way. Until she could find a way to be free of the bastard, no one close to her would ever be safe.

Her mind whirling, she nodded slowly. She still had the pill she’d been given earlier. She hadn’t wanted anything that would dull her senses. Coupled with the one she would be given now, it might be enough to put Manny to sleep.

When he rose to consult the nurse, she slipped her hand under her pillow and pulled out the pill she had hidden there.

A few seconds later, a cheerful younger woman walked in carrying a tray. “I brought you another cup of coffee,” she said to Manny.

“Thanks.” He took the cup from her with an expression akin to extreme relief.

She directed her attention to Jules and gave her the same option she had earlier. “Can you swallow another pill or shall I give you an injection?”

“I can swallow it,” Jules said in a low voice.

The nurse poured a glass of water, and Manny took it and the pill from her. He walked to the side of the bed and helped Jules sit forward with his free arm. Jules took the pill with the hand she’d palmed the other pill with and quickly shoved both in her mouth. She took a sip of water and made a show of swallowing, but she rolled the pills under her tongue. She’d have to hurry before they dissolved.

“I’ll be back to check on you a little later,” the nurse said before leaving.

“Thank you,” Jules murmured.

As soon as the nurse walked out, Jules glanced over at Manny, who had sat down with his cup of coffee. “Can I have a sip?”

He lifted an eyebrow. “I didn’t realize you drank coffee. You always hated it before.”

“I don’t really, but I remember you always drank it. The smell reminds me of you.”

He smiled and handed her the cup. “Careful you don’t burn yourself.”

As she put the cup to her lips, her stomach lurched at the idea of ingesting the nasty brew, but she tilted it back, shoving the pills from her mouth into the steaming liquid.

She held onto it for a moment, giving the pills time to dissolve before she handed it back to Manny. Hopefully she wouldn’t have to wait long. She didn’t have much time before he transferred her out.