Page 37 of The Rough Ride (Sanctuary, Inc. #3)

N ick clicked her seatbelt shut and slipped a blanket around Liz’s shoulders. She was still shaking, her teeth chattering, and muttering random thoughts.

“I need to see Ella and make sure she’s okay. Good God, my leg hurts. I have to see if there’s any damage to the prosthetic.”

Nick’s body tensed. Right then, he’d have given anything to take her place and endure the terror she’d experienced in that parking lot.

He gave her thigh a reassuring squeeze as he checked his mirrors pensively and turned onto the highway ramp.

The questions that had gnawed at him while the medics and police questioned Liz sat like a rock in his gut.

“When did you buy that car, babe?”

“Nine months ago. Right after I received my second check from DHS. I didn’t want to continue to use Arlene’s car once I had a paycheck. Why?”

“Have you had any problems with it?”

“Course not. It’s— was brand new.”

An icy finger traced down his spine. He glanced in his mirrors again as cars whizzed by. No tail. “New cars don’t just spontaneously combust. I did some research while the medics looked you over. There’s no fucking way that should’ve happened.”

Liz hugged her middle and released a shaky breath. “Yeah. It is pretty weird.”

“Not so long ago, you were nervous about something at work. Is that still an issue?”

She heaved a deep breath. “Nick, you know I can’t talk about my work.”

He glanced sideways. “Your car just accidentally blew up. You need to talk to somebody.”

“Yes, well, I signed a contract, non-disclosure agreement. Ethics, moral code of conduct.” A weak gesture of her hand indicated more reasons.

“Okay. So, answer me with a yes or no. Is your operating status covert?”

“I can’t play twenty questions with this subject.”

Stubborn woman. He gritted his teeth together. “A yes or no will suffice.”

“No.”

“Are you still nervous about something going on at work?”

“Maybe.” She looked out the window for a long moment and sighed. “Yes.”

“Do you think the work situation has anything to do with your car?”

Liz rested her head against the headrest and closed her eyes. “Maybe. But damn if I know how.”

That was all the information Nick needed. Any inkling that the two crises intersected meant she needed protection. He caressed her knee. He’d be damned before government work put her life in jeopardy again .

He turned his blinker on and moved into the right lane.

She sat bolt upright and waved him toward the left. “Nick, this isn’t my exit.”

“I’m aware of that. This is my exit.”

She grabbed hold of his arm. “But I need to go home. Please.”

He nodded. “I understand. But we’re going to my place. It’s safe.”

“I can’t go to your place. I need to protect Ella.” The panic in her voice inched toward high and shrill. “I need to hold her and whisper love in her ears.”

His heart ached for her. “I get it, babe. Once you’re safely inside my building, I’ll go get Ella and Arlene.

If your work and car situations are related, it’s not safe for you to be with Ella right now.

It’d be better to shelter in place. My building is the best location for that.

” He slammed on the brakes, glanced around the four-way intersection, and turned left, parking underground.

Liz startled when Nick unclipped her seat belt and slid his arms around her.

“No, no. I can walk. Let me do it myself. I need to move, everything hurts.” She grimaced.

“Okay, but I’m right here if you need help.” He grabbed her purse and torn jacket from the truck.

She limped toward the elevator he gestured to.

“My private elevator. This side opens into the dining room. That door opens to a small vestibule near the alley behind the building.” They rode in silence to the loft.

The elevator doors opened and a pair of modern jacquard draperies swept apart in front of them. Nick used a remote sitting next to a pewter bowl on his dining room table to close the drapes and hide the elevator .

He dropped her things on the granite countertop, set a big mug with tea in the microwave, and pulled out a chair from the table where they’d eaten a few weeks ago, gesturing for her to sit. “Do you still have your phone?”

“In my purse.”

“Text your mother a list of things you want me to bring from your house for you and Ella. Enough for a few days. I can get secure deliveries here, so keep the list compact. I haven’t had time to order a real crib, but I did pick up one of those portable sleepover things and some bedding.

Tell Arlene to pack the baby monitor. I don’t have one. ”

He stirred a spoonful of honey into the tea and set it in front of Liz. “You want a shot of something stronger in that?”

She shook her head. “Maybe later when Ella and Mom get here.” She put her elbows on the table and pulled her ponytail holder out, allowing her hair to cascade across her face. “I just want to protect our daughter, Nick.”

He retrieved the phone from her purse and set it on the table next to her.

“I promise to go get her in a few minutes. You’ve been through hell today, but I need you to send that list. I’ve got some things to show you before I leave.

” He squatted next to her, took the phone, and peered into her eyes.

She’d stopped trembling, but her eyes were glazed and huge.

“Why don’t you dictate the list, and I’ll send it for you? ”

She shook her head and grabbed the phone from his hand. “No. I’ve got this.”

He handed her a half-peeled banana after she’d sent the text. “Take a few bites. You’re probably starving. Eat some while we take the security tour, honey.” He held out a hand.

She stood and followed him, groaning every few steps.

“This building is a fortress. I bought it in case I ever needed to protect a client for a while. You already saw the private elevator. Every window and entrance on this level has triple deadbolts. With one swipe of my phone, I can lock and unlock everything. When I leave to get the girls, I’ll lock the place down tight.

You’ll be safe.” Nick gave her an encouraging smile and continued.

“I’m shutting all the drapes on this level. You can see out, but no one can see in. They can’t even tell if a light is on. Let me show you the safe room.”

Liz coughed on a bite of banana. “Safe room?”

“Yeah, state of the art. I learned all about them when I led the security detail for assorted dignitaries and brass overseas.” He gave her a cursory lesson on the safe room buttons and protocols and headed towards the bathroom.

He hung a fresh towel on the hook and set sweatpants and a t-shirt on the counter for her.

He peered down the hallway. She was still standing in front of the safe room door.

“Let’s go, babe. I know the medics gave you a once-over, but let’s make sure the prosthetic and the rest of you are okay.”

She hobbled through the doorway of the huge bathroom. “You don’t need to stay. I’m really worried about Ella and Arlene. We’ve already been here for ten minutes.”

He looked up from the drawer he was searching for a new toothbrush. “Yup, got my eye on the clock. But I’m not leaving until we check out your leg.”

She bent down and struggled to untie her right shoe. “Dammit.” She clawed at the too-tight lace job.

“Let me help.” Nick leaned down and hauled her up to sit on the bathroom counter. He set the offending shoe on his thigh and poked at the wad of knots in the middle, found a loose one and pulled the jumbled mess free. He repeated the process on the other shoe .

“Thanks. My fingers aren’t working very well right now. Could you pull them off?”

He gave a gentle tug, set them on the floor, and raised an eyebrow. “Pants?”

“Oh yeah.” She slipped the tank over her head and unbuttoned the pants.

He gave a low whistle. “Those are some serious bruises on your left side, babe.”

“I know. The EMTs saw them. But I didn’t tell them I wear a prosthetic. The prosthetic area hurts more than my side. I didn’t want them to look at my leg and keep me from getting home to Ella.”

She was amazing. Always putting Ella ahead of herself. Nick helped remove her trousers and the layers of socks she wore under the prosthetic. The sock closest to her leg was soaked in blood.

“Oh, that’s not good.” She peeled the sock down, removed the prosthetic, and examined the stump. There were several large vertical gashes in her leg. Her eyes locked onto his. “I may need a doctor after all. I can’t risk infection in this leg, especially that close to the stump.”

Nick placed the socks in the sink and the prosthetic on the counter. “I’ve got a doctor on call. As soon as I get back with Ella and Arlene, she’ll come over and take a look at you.”

“Okay.” Liz’s hands shook as she brushed the hair away from her face. “I need to get in the tub and clean this leg.”

Her face was drawn and tight. “Are you going to be alright with me gone a little while?”

She gave him a tight nod. “Yeah, fine. The sooner you get the baby and my mother here, the better off we’ll be.”

“Remember the rules. The building’s impenetrable. Don’t open any doors. Only answer your phone if it’s me. ”

“Got it. Go get Ella.” She gave him a wan smile, stepped inside the bath and started the water.

Nick strode to the kitchen and made a phone call. SecureIT was short-staffed tonight with everyone working. He had to find a back-up operative to watch the building while he drove to pick up Ella and Arlene.

She answered on the second ring. “Nicholas, twice in one week, you handsome stud. Want some company?”

“Cut it out, Lana. This is business. Are you in DC?”

“Got in yesterday and shook off the jet lag. What’s up?”

“How soon could you get to my place in Georgetown? I need you to guard my building. I’ve got a very important client here.”

“I’m thirty minutes away. Who’s the client?”

“Her name is Liz Nelson. She’s resting inside. I need you to watch the entrances and exits while I run an errand.”

“Got it. I’ll load up now.”

“I’ll be gone when you get here. Stay outside. Call me if you have any questions.

“Will she know I’m there?”

“I’ll make her aware of your presence. You’re the final layer of security. Thank you.” He hung up, reheated Liz’s lukewarm tea, grabbed a packet of peanut butter crackers and her phone, and headed for the bathroom.

Liz looked up as he set the snack on a built-in shelf by the tub. “Thanks. You’re still here?”

“I’m leaving in a minute. In a little while, someone named Lana will be guarding the outside of the building. She’s worked on Sanctuary missions before, but I’m not sure if you know her. Anyway, you won’t be alone.”

Her face softened as she picked gravel from the skin on her arms. “Thanks, Sergeant.”

He gave her a kiss. “Stay inside. No one can get in. You’re totally safe here. I’ll be back in a little while.” He pulled a Glock from one of the bathroom drawers, and set it on the counter. “You keep up with your target practice?”

“Always. Put it back in the drawer, please. With any luck at all, I won’t need it or the safe room.”

He slipped the gun back into the drawer. “It’s locked and loaded.”