15. Ambrose
AMbrOSE
E ric was in trouble. I knew it. I couldn’t explain how, but I did.
He’d checked in with me midmorning, but then he’d sent a text about going out on a call and refused to respond to my attempts to contact him.
I called him again. No answer. What the fuck was he doing—taking care of police business or lying dead in a ditch killed by Carlotti’s men because he was too damn stubborn to let me protect him?
I should have demanded he stay home. I should have tied him to the bed. That would have made for a much better day than this sick worry.
This wasn’t like me. I’d never been this anxious except maybe before my first mission as a Green Beret.
For the first time in a long time, I wished I had someone to talk to.
I needed reassurance one way or another.
Did I sit my ass down and trust him to be careful, or did I go out there and drag his ass home, praying he was still in one piece?
Dax was the only person I could imagine explaining this to, but I didn’t want to bother him.
I’d texted him a bare bones version of what was happening with Carlotti and insisted he continue with the cruise.
What I needed wasn’t going to work via text, but I wasn’t even sure if he’d be able to take a call wherever he was, somewhere out at sea.
My hands shook as I scrolled for his contact. I hated how incapable I was of reaching out, but the idea of making a call had me even jumpier than I already was.
Dax shocked me by answering on the first ring. “What’s wrong?”
“I think Eric is in trouble.
“You think?
“He’s on duty. He told me he’d check in, but he won’t respond when I contact him.”
“Where are you?”
“At his house. Hope is with Corbin. Don’t worry.”
“I wasn’t, but you staying with Eric is very interesting.”
“He wouldn’t go to a safe house, so I’m watching him. I should have made him stay here.”
Dax’s silence told me he agreed.
“I want to go find him, but?—”
“Go. Your instincts are never wrong. Why are you questioning yourself?”
“Because I… Because… It doesn’t matter.”
“You care about him.”
“I… have to protect him.”
“Go get him, put him under lock and key, then call me back. We need to talk about this. I won’t let you lose a chance at happiness because you’re too stubborn to let your barriers down.”
“Enjoy your vacation. I shouldn’t have bothered you.”
“I’m always here for you. Always. And I’m?—”
“Shit, Eric’s home phone is ringing. I’ve got to go.”
I ended the call.