Chapter 11
Sophie awoke slowly, aware of the darkening room.
She’d fought against lying down on her bed but after a few minutes and a cup of hot, sweet cocoa and an aspirin, she’d relinquished the battle and went into her bedroom.
Now, as she lay under the light blanket that usually decorated the end of her bed, she heard the faint sound of Ephraim’s voice.
She winced as she sat up, her side telling her she’d not only had the slight puncture wound, but had twisted some muscles when she’d fallen on the boxes. Slipping on her shoes, she went into the living area and found Ephraim at the counter, his phone to his ear.
“I know, I know. I should have had someone come down earlier. Who? Don’t know him. Yeah, okay. I’ll look for him in a couple.”
Ephraim disconnected the call and laid the phone on the counter, then bent his head and rested it in his hands, mussing his dark hair. Sophie advanced and must have made a sound, though she didn’t hear it, and he turned to her. “How’re you feeling?”
“Okay. I think I may have twisted a muscle when I fell, but nothing that another aspirin won’t help.” She went to the sink and poured a glass of water, then drank it down, suddenly aware of her dry throat. When she’d placed the glass in the sink basin, she turned to him. “Who were you talking to?”
“Hank,” he said and run a hand through his hair. “He’s sending a guy down to help out.”
“Why?”
“Why?” he asked, his tone raised slightly.” Because someone tried to kidnap you. Because you have a knife wound, Sophie. And I wasn’t there to keep you safe.”
He ended the sentence in a tone of such disgust she wasn’t completely sure what his last words were. When she figured it out, she advanced on him. You were an aisle away.”
“Exactly. I wasn’t thinking of keeping you in my sights. I was buying groceries,” he ended with a wave of his hand. “I think my head injury hurt did more damage than I originally thought. Clearly, I’ve lost my edge.”
She waved her own hand at him. “Listen. I wasn’t watching either. And I’m the original careful person. You can’t be blamed for thinking a grocery store would be safe.”
“Nowhere is safe until this guy is caught, Soph. Can’t you understand that?”
She’d kept her temper, she thought, until this. Understand? Of course I understand. I understand that we don’t know who is after us. Or do we?”
He shrugged.“ Hank found out a guy by the name of Curtis Wood is in the area. He’s ex-military and a freelancer, like I used to be. He hasn’t been picky about his work, either but at least I don’t have a rap sheet to show for my past.”
She looked up at the ceiling for a minute. “Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?”
“I told you I had a pretty good idea of who the guy was.” He sounded a bit sulky then continued.
“Okay. Here’s the situation. Curtis is the kind of guy that likes to use a knife.
He’s been acquitted of assault three times, not sure how that happened, but each time involved a knife.
He also has had some dealings with a couple of my ex-clients whose business dealings were shady at best. When I found that out, I dropped him. ”
“When was this?” She asked.
“A couple years ago. I’d done a job following an ex-employee and when he ended up in the hospital, through no fault of mine, incidentally, I told the client I was quitting and to find someone else to tail the guy.
Turns out the man in the hospital was a whistle blower.
He had to go into hiding for a while, turns out.
” Ephraim shook his head. “I’m not proud of my past, but I’m trying to make up for it. ”
“But it keeps coming back to haunt you.” She said quietly.
“Yeah.” He looked at her then. “Me, I can handle. But seeing you with a bandage on your side, no. Not gonna happen again.”
“And you think another man, a man I don’t know or trust, is going to do a better job than you?”
“Well, my track record doesn’t look that great right now.”
She wheeled around and stalked to the patio door and stared out into the darkened yard. Ephraim waited for a minute then followed her and stood beside her, trying to read her expression. When she turned to him, her cheeks were flushed and her eyes flashed with anger.
“I never thought I’d say this. but get over yourself, soldier.”
He took a step back and she continued. “You’re having a pity party and I won’t have it.
” She started ticking items off on her fingers as she listed them.
“You were knocked over the head and either thrown overboard or tossed on the shoreline of what most people would consider a deserted island, you suffered a concussion that probably should have landed you in the hospital, you kept me alive and kicking during a high speed chase all the while suffering from dizziness and double vision and yes,” at his look of surprise, she poked a finger into his chest and started advancing on him, “I knew about the symptoms even though you insisted on helping me clean.” He held his ground until she was within an inch of him, her blond hair flowing around her shoulders and her eyes sparking with something he couldn’t identify.
“And you’ve been insistent on staying with me even though I figure half of you wants to get out there and find this guy.
So, don’t tell me you’ve lost your edge.
Sometimes you have to stay in one place and face the enemy instead of being two steps in front of it. ”
She closed her eyes and he saw tears puddle under her lashes. He lifted a finger and gently caught one before it fell. “I’m sorry.”
“What for?” she whispered.
“I’m sorry I made you cry.”
He bent his head and gently covered her mouth with his in a chaste kiss.
She leaned into him, at first accepting the kiss, then, with her hands lifting and clutching his shirt, she moved her lips under his and became a full participant.
After an eon and an instant, she drew away and took a small step away from them then lightly punched him in the chest. “Don’t do it again. ”
He chuckled and held her shoulders. “I don’t think I’m incapable.
But clearly, my judgement is muddled when it comes to you.
” At her protest he shook his head. “Listen to me.” He smoothed his hands over her shoulders then, with a huff of a sigh, stepped away from her and headed to the sofa.
He sat down and put his elbows on his spread knees, his gaze steady on her.
“I’ve never been influenced by someone before.
My instincts and training are good and have kept me alive for a long time.
But now, I think we need a third brain, another person who can help us out. ”
“And you think it’s because of me?”
He smiled gently and her stomach flipped in response. Goodness he was handsome when he smiled. “I know it is. When I’m with you I think of taking walks and buying groceries and kissing you.” He laughed and she knew her face was flaming.
“Okay,” she relented, aware she’d not been watching in the grocery store like she should have been and it was probably due to him, as well. “But you’re still going to be here, right?”
He looked surprised, “You thought I’d leave? No way, I’m here for the duration.”
And after that, she wondered. Where would he go after the danger was over? On another assignment that would put him in harm’s way and out of her life?