Nobody's Lost (Rescue Me Saga #5)(22)

Ryder closed his eyes and heard Megan approach and stand in the doorway, but he pretended to be sleeping. He’d already warned Megan not to touch him while he slept and doubted she could see much from half a room away.

She said Patrick was the same way about being touched while sleeping. Ryder wondered what veterans’ program he’d found that helped him deal with his post-traumatic stress. Was he able to have a successful marriage? Megan hadn’t mentioned anything about him having a wife or family. Did he still have nightmares? Trouble holding a job?

Probably not if he was off to—where did she say? Europe?—Italy, to be exact. Pakistan, too. The man must have a screw loose. Ryder wouldn’t go near that part of the world again. But her brother must be doing well financially—although there was every indication the two came from money to start with. Ryder envied Patrick for being able to deal with the past and move on, though.

With a place to live that provided for his needs and only himself to worry about, Ryder didn’t want or need money. He just wanted a f*cking night’s sleep without being reminded of the nightmares of the past.

Well, he hadn’t had one last night. Of course not. He hadn’t slept. So far, he didn’t have a lot of trouble with triggers and living nightmares while awake, although that helium machine sure took him to a bad place briefly this morning.

His demons crept in relentlessly whenever his defenses were down. Like when he was asleep. Jesus, he was tired. Getting no sleep could weaken his ability to keep the demons away, too.

His phone vibrated in his pocket. So much for sleep now. He pulled out the phone and checked the screen.

Adam.

He bolted up and answered. “Yes, Top.”

“Report.”

He briefly flashed back to Fallujah hearing Top give the same command after an IED exploded near their caravan. Only this time he wasn’t checking on Ryder’s whereabouts or safety, but his sister’s.

“No problems since the break-in.”

“She have any idea who did it?”

“No. She’s convinced it’s just some random thing. Maybe she’s right, but someone disabled a sophisticated security system to get in here. I plan on keeping an eye on her until your brother returns.”

Silence.

“How secure is her place now?”

“New locks and deadbolts on the doors. I’m staying at the condo to keep an eye on things.”

“Glad you’re there.”

He trusts me.

No way would he blow it again with Top by messing with his sister.

“I don’t think they’ll be back, though. They seemed to have found what they wanted.”

“Regardless, if you can stick around a few more days, I’d feel better. Didn’t even know I had a sister until a short time ago. I don’t want to lose her now. I know if Patrick was there, he’d have things under control. I owe you one for doing this for the family.”

Ryder wasn’t sure if he meant Top’s family or the Marine family. Well, maybe that was the same thing. “No worries. You don’t owe me anything, Top. I’m happy to help. Had some down time anyway.” He wouldn’t admit his unemployed status. No f*cking way. But he’d shared that with Megan. Would she tell Top?

“If my wife wasn’t about to deliver, I’d have gone down there myself.”

“Glad I can be here to help. Good luck to you and your wife.” At least he and Sherry hadn’t brought kids into their marriage.

After a pause, Top asked, “So you two are getting along okay?”

What was he asking? “Sure.”

“Good. She’s feisty at times. Strong-willed. Independent.”

Yeah, I noticed.

“Knows what she wants and goes for it. Reminds me of my wife. Keep her safe.”

“Will do, Top.” Or he’d die trying.

“Thanks.”

The call ended as abruptly as it had begun. So he wasn’t relieved from this mission yet, even though there wasn’t a whole lot he could do without an enemy to take out.

Megan entered the room as he was putting his phone back in his pocket.

“Let me guess. Adam.”

“Hmm? Oh. Yeah.” He sat up on the sofa and tossed the sheet to the side.

“I didn’t expect him to just ask me how things were going. Did you convince him no one is after me still?”

“Not exactly.”

She leaned against the door. “Why not?”

“He just wants to be sure. He cares a lot about you. Neither of us wants to see anything happen to you.”

“I surrender.”

“What?”

“I’m not going to fight either one of you. If you have nothing better to do than sit around and wait for someone to attack me, then have fun. I’m going to bed.”

She turned and walked back to her office. He wished she wasn’t angry at him for doing his job, but tough. He wasn’t here to please her. He was here to protect her.

And to make up for the things he’d screwed up in Kandahar and Fallujah.

*

He stared at the ceiling. Without any lights on, the room remained f*cking bright. Not like at his place where, once the lights were off, it became pitch dark. Every now and then, he heard a car pass in front of the condo. Someone several blocks away set off a car alarm.