Defenseless (Salvation, #5)(20)
I keep her body from falling to the ground as she lets it out. “I know, beautiful. Puking is good, get it out.”
Once she’s finished, I scoop her into my arms and load her in the backseat. She can’t even hold herself up. I rush to her car and grab the bag, head back to my car, give the driver our destination, and climb in. Charlie leans against the glass, but I want her closer. As soon as she’s situated in my arms, her eyes close, and we head off.
We’re silent on the drive to Andrews. Charlie sleeps in my lap as I try really hard not to consider all the things she spurs me to feel. I’ve never been so goddamn possessive, or protective. Her being drugged causes me to literally want to go guns blazing and kill everyone who came near her. No one should’ve gotten that close. No one should’ve had an opportunity to slip something in her drink.
So instead, I let my mind wander to my own parents and how they’ve fared with my and Garrett’s choices. My brother is a doctor in Virginia. He had it all and lost it. He had a successful practice, made a ton of money, slept around on his wife, and was the most miserable son of a bitch I knew. His gold-digger wife Michelle caught him banging his nurse and took every penny she could. He packed up, moved to Virginia, and is now dating Annika. She’s fine, but a carbon copy of Michelle—she only wants his damn money. Each time we talk, I wonder, why? Why the hell would he live a life he hates so damn much? We only get one, might as well make it the best we can.
Which then brings me back to Jackson’s offer.
It makes no sense why I put it off. I love this company—clearly. There’s just something about making it permanent. As of now, I can walk away at any time. If I become his partner, I would be tied to this forever.
Before I get too deep, I grab my phone and set some things in motion.
“Hey, jackass.” Liam’s voice fills the line.
“Why did we become friends again?” I wonder aloud.
“Because my wife told me we had to.”
“You know there was a minute I thought that kid was mine. She and I had a moment,” I tease. My relationship with Liam really turned after the mission to rescue Aaron. I saw how hard it was on him, but he manned up and did what was right. He earned a great deal of my respect. Plus, he loves my goddaughter as if she were his.
He scoffs, “Yeah, by immaculate conception.”
“She slept with me in her mind.”
“What do you want, *?”
I gaze at Charlie sleeping in my lap. I called Liam because I trust him. I also know there’s no chance he’s involved in all the shit that’s been going down with Cole Security. When you feel threatened, you tighten your circle. Liam is about to be one of two people who know anything.
“I need you to find out who the waiters were at the party I attended tonight.”
“You couldn’t get his phone number on your own?” he jokes.
Charlie shifts and releases a moan as she clutches her stomach. “Funny. No, Charlie was drugged.”
Liam shuffles, and I hear a door close. “Is she all right?”
“She’s fine. I was with her, but this was our second close call.”
“I take it this needs to be done without anyone knowing?”
“Yeah, man. I need the office left in the dark about what’s happening. That way I can rule that out.”
Liam sighs and then takes a long pause. I can only imagine what he’s thinking. His wife, the woman he’d die for, works there. The last thing he needs is to worry about her safety when he’s deployed, but if she leaves, it could shift the balance. “Natalie is my priority. I need to know she’s safe.”
“Liam, I would take a thousand bullets before I would let anything happen to Lee.”
“I know, and Aaron already told her that when he says it’s time to leave, she needs to leave. I don’t know what you got going on there, but Lee loves you guys and the job. So, I’ll do what I can. I have some buddies in DC. Let me see what I can dig up. Send me the info and I’ll be in touch.”
“You’ll have a secure e-mail soon.”
“Don’t do anything stupid.”
I laugh and brush the hair off Charlie’s neck. “I never do.”
“Right. Gotta run. I swear this kid only takes a crap when his mother is gone.”
Liam disconnects the line right as the driver opens the door. I hoist Charlie into my arms. She’s so light, I wonder if she ever eats. She curls into my chest, and rubs her cheek against my shirt as I hold her tight. She’s calm, docile, and sweet, which will only last until she wakes up. A part of me wishes she’d stay like this instead of turning into the hostile jungle cat that tries to claw my eyes out.
Then I remember the way the waiter hovered. The way he was so attentive to her and how she really didn’t drink enough to make her pass out.
I get her and all our gear loaded on the plane. There’s a small bedroom in the back; I debate whether I should strip her out of her dress, but she’ll probably knee me in the balls.
“Ready to go, Mr. Dixon?” the pilot asks.
“Yeah, just get in the air and then I’ll let you know where to,” I command.
He nods and heads out. I leave Charlie dressed in her gown and sit on the bed next to her. She’s so f*cking beautiful, but there’s more than that. She’s smart, funny, and can obviously handle herself. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman. She’s right that being together while doing this is a dumb idea, but I’ve never claimed to be all that bright.