Page 55 of Nowhere to Hide

“Same difference. My paid time off ran out a long time ago.” I pulled into the parking lot for the wharf. “Now this is going to be tricky.”

Maybe I should have had Stone come with me. I didn’t want to leave her alone on the boat or in the truck while I unloaded all our gear. I could only get so close to the docks with my truck.

I hopped out, grabbing her bags, consolidating as much as possible. “I’m locking you in.”

“That’s ridiculous. I can walk.”

“You can’t. And I can’t cover both you and the bags. Don’t unlock this door for anyone other than me.”

“You’re serious?”

“I can’t be sure he isn’t watching right now.”

I hated to make fear fill her eyes, but I’d been almost sure he’d been at the hotel. It wouldn’t take much of a leap to think he’d be at the docks too. Her fingers shook as they touched her neck.

I grabbed everything and locked her into the car. I hustled down the dock to my slip, dumping all of it into the middle of the living space before I took off back to her.

She was looking around the parking lot, gnawing on her lower lip. The look of relief on her face when she saw me punched me in the chest.

I was no one’s savior.

Least of all this woman.

You are. Get your ass in gear.

Milligan’s voice rumbled in the back of my head. I was most likely overreacting, but I would feel better when she was secure on my boat.

I quickly texted Stone and asked him to return it to the rental agency, then stuffed my phone in my pocket.

I went around to her side and gingerly slid her out and into my arms. She was so damn tiny, but she was solid enough to make my protective instincts war with something far more ill-timed.

She wrapped her arm around my shoulders.

“Is this okay?”

She nodded. “I had the doctor put on a few extra layers of tape and padding so we could get on the boat.”

“Smart lady.”

“Sometimes.” Her eyes were red rimmed and I had to resist the urge to tuck her in tighter.

“You’re damn smart and brave.”

She sniffled lightly. “Right.”

I walked quickly, but tried not to jostle her as we got to the stairs. My muscles burned, but I didn’t shift her. By the time we got to the docks, my arms were a little shaky. She needed me to be there for her right now, there was no choice in making her comfortable.

As we got closer to my boat, she stiffened in my arms, burying her face in my neck.

The little puffs of her breath against my skin made every nerve go on high alert. I pushed away the immediate response. It had been a damn long time since I’d had a woman in my arms.

“This might hurt,” I murmured softly.

She nodded and gripped my shoulders. There was no easy way to get onto the boat without hurting her. I hopped onto the one stair and then down onto the bridge deck. The boat bounced with our combined weight, but I took most of the shock.

She hissed and her nails dug into my shoulders. I would wear the crescent shapes of her nails, but it was worth it. I settled her neatly onto the wide, deep bench that I used for naps.

Her fingers pressed into the memory foam with surprise. “Not what I was expecting.”