Chapter 13
Nina was grateful. Dinner with her family had given her an effective distraction from her more personal issues. Until her brother had cornered Boone in the kitchen. She wanted to know what they’d been talking about, but Nash had been cagey. Her brother suspected something and she couldn’t take a chance that he would guess correctly.
“You were laying it on thick with that best bodyguard line,” Boone said. He’d been quiet until they crossed the bridge, as if someone on the island might overhear them before they hit the Charleston city limits.
Good. She wanted him to be cautious. Right now, she needed him to protect her reputation as well as her life. She lived in the best little town on the planet and it would be nice if she never had to hear her name rattling along the infamous island grapevine.
“You deserved it for making them think we’re going on a bodyguard date,” Nina countered.
He shot her a look. “You don’t want to see the band?”
The same band that had been playing weeks ago when they’d hooked up for what should’ve been a one-night stand? Um, not so much. Although she was feeling better as the day went on, she wasn’t sure she could handle reliving all those exciting emotions of that first night. The flirting and temptation of the unknown, feeling the buzz of anticipation when they touched.
Although… last night had been just as exciting to her as their first time.
It hadn’t mattered that she already knew what he looked like naked or how he could kiss her senseless and leave her breathless with a look. If she was honest, and that was easier now that she wasn’t feeling sick, last night had been better than the first time.
And that felt nearly as dangerous as being in Spratt’s crosshairs.
“Why was Nash threatening you?” she asked.
“He’s just watching out for you,” Boone replied. “Your brother is a good man.”
“I know that.” She hadn’t expected that kind of candor. “But watching out for me is your job.”
“It is.”
There was a wariness in his voice that made her edgy. She sighed when he didn’t share, almost too afraid to ask. “What else?”
“He claims a friend of his saw us kissing on the beach.”
Nina swore and Boone laughed.
“Sorry!” he said immediately.
“Stop that.” Her cheeks heated. He’d promised not to laugh when she cussed. She wasn’t an angel or a kid. She had every right to swear when and how she chose.
He sucked in a breath and it sputtered out with more laughter. “Can’t help it.”
Soon she was laughing with him. Or at him. Watching him try and smother his amusement was pretty funny too. “Forget it.” He probably needed the release valve as much as she did after keeping things locked down throughout dinner .
Laughter sure beat the heck out of crying. And when the amusement faded, she realized she was holding his hand on the console between the seats. Maybe it wasn’t smart, but she didn’t pull away. She trusted the impulse she’d followed and accepted the comfort.
They were going to Charleston to pick up a pregnancy test. Why deny the attraction that got them here? Within minutes she’d know if her life was irrevocably changed. Would she be tied to Boone for the rest of her life? Maybe not the day to day, but as the father of her child, he would be a forever connection.
What would her parents say? How would she manage being a single mom? Molly made it look easy most days. But her son was four and she had an aunt on the island who helped her with childcare.
Nina’s business was strong enough, and she carried a higher profit because she worked as a designer in addition to all the other ownership responsibilities. She started calculating the burden of adding more staff. Of child care and insurance and doctor visits.
“Is it really a problem?”
She jerked out of her overwhelming thoughts. There were so many problems, she didn’t know how to isolate just one.
“The kiss,” Boone clarified.
Oh, right. Because he couldn’t actually read her mind. “It could be,” she admitted. “Small towns are gossip mills.”
“Which is why you always go to Charleston to hook up.”
The way he said that made her feel like the worst sort of person. She wanted to protest and accuse him of being judgmental, but he wasn’t wrong. Apparently, her apology hadn’t been enough, despite the incredible sex that followed.
He pulled into a parking garage, found a spot, and cut the engine. She reached for the door handle, but he stopped her. “I’m not judging, Nina. ”
“I apologized—”
“And I accepted,” he assured her. “I’ve only been in Brookwell for a short time and I get it. I see what you’re up against when it comes to public opinion.”
“Going on a date can turn into a big deal.” Not always, but often enough. “Back when Jess and Nash were in high school, every move they made was analyzed for future implications. The island is the best place to grow up because people look out for each other. And…” She shoved at her hair.
“The flip side is having way too much feedback on every stray look or thought,” he finished for her.
“Exactly. I love to go out dancing, but our best local option is the Pelican. And if I dance with someone there, someone local, it’s a whole thing by morning.”
“And us kissing out on the beach—”
She groaned. “The gossip will be ‘Nina kissed her bodyguard’,” she corrected. “Nash’s reaction proves it.” She rolled her eyes. “Little Nina falling for every new guy who comes to town.”
“How many new guys come to town?”
She did a double take at his grumpy tone. He was scowling at her and looking totally adorable. What was wrong with her? He couldn’t really feel possessive about her. They weren’t a forever deal. They were stuck sharing an awkward crisis. She leaned over and gave him a quick kiss. “That’s my point. It’s just whispers, not truth.”
“You’re not little,” he said as they got out of the car.
“I’ll always be Nash’s little sister. Small town monikers stick.” Often much longer than they should.
He took her hand as they walked down the stairs to the street. “And you don’t want to be Nash’s little sister who got knocked up by the bodyguard. ”
“That’s a mouthful,” she said. The joke attempt fell flat, mainly because he was right. “We weren’t bodyguard and client at the time.”
“Won’t make a difference to anyone in town, will it?”
“No,” she admitted. “But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. We don’t even know yet.”
He grunted and she didn’t need an interpreter for that. He believed she was carrying his child.
Suddenly, she didn’t want to be sad and she didn’t want Boone to feel obligated over anything except his job. Something about being miserable when taking a pregnancy test felt wrong. No, this wasn’t ideal timing. Yes, her world would shift on its axis if the test was positive.
But if she was carrying his baby, she didn’t want to look at their child years from now and have a sad, woeful tale to tell. If she was indeed about to become a mother, she wanted joy for that baby from the start.
She took a deep breath of the sweet air and gave Boone’s hand a squeeze. He was here for her now, in this moment, and that was a beautiful thing. “Thanks for doing this with me,” she said. “But why park in the garage?”
It would’ve been simpler to park at the drugstore a couple blocks over.
“Because we are going to see the band,” he explained patiently.
“Why?”
He shot her a weird look. “I don’t want to lie to your mom.”
She would’ve sworn he was blushing. “Thanks.”
“Plus, you like the group. Why not get a dose of happiness while we can?”
It was such a close echo to her own thoughts that she leaned in before she could stop herself. Her heart seemed to bound with a new “ what-if” rhythm as they walked. What if Boone stayed? What if they could be a family? What if love took root and grew into a lifetime of happiness?
Odds were low that any of those what-ifs worked out.
And yet, she might be pregnant. Which was kind of proof that low odds weren’t the same as no odds.
She peeked at him through her lashes as they waited for a crosswalk. Could she love Boone? They obviously had off-the-charts chemistry. From their short acquaintance they seemed to share similar values. It was a huge plus that he didn’t want to lie to her family.
Would just knowing he’d fathered her child be enough of a foundation to build on?
“Let’s swing into the drugstore first,” he suggested as they turned the corner.
The store’s logo was lit up over the door and the interior seemed inordinately bright in the fading daylight, with special deals marked on big signs in the windows. This was it. They would walk in, get a pregnancy test or ten, and be on their way. Completely anonymous.
“As long as you’re aware that I will not be taking the test in a drugstore bathroom.”
He grinned down at her. “That reeks too much of teenage angst for me.”
“Same.” She felt herself smiling back. “We’re adults.”
“Damn right.” He kept a hand on the small of her back as the automatic door opened and they walked into the store. She felt his breath on her cheek as he murmured, “Does that mean you want to take the test in the bar?”
“Not a chance.”
He was close enough that she felt the brief rumble of amusement roll through him. Within moments they were in the family planning aisle, faced with too many options. The labels blurred, along with the advertised promises of accuracy.
“Want me to ask someone?” he queried after a minute.
Boone had way more patience with her than she had for herself. “No. I-I’ll figure it out. I just need a minute.” She rubbed at her eyes, trying to remember she was a capable adult.
She’d told her family Boone was her bodyguard. Together they’d convinced her parents that he was a professional. That they weren’t a couple and wouldn’t be.
But a positive test would change all of that. Would prove her a liar.
She wanted to run away. From this stupid drugstore, from Boone, from herself. “I don’t know.”
“Want me to choose?”
“Please?” She folded her arms around her midsection. “Yes, please.” There, that sounded decisive and more like herself. “Did your sister have a preference? Can we get more than one test?”
“Not sure and yes,” he said. “Whatever the result, we’ll figure it out, Nina.”
She couldn’t look at him, nerves had her by the throat.
The clerk at the counter couldn’t have graduated high school yet. A young man with red hair and freckles, his cheeks turned pink as he rang up their collection of tests. Nina let Boone handle the chatter, barely managing a smile when the clerk wished them luck.
“Since you’re determined to wait until morning, we’ll drop these at the car. Then we can enjoy the band. Maybe dance if you’re up for it?”
“Sure.” She thought the likelihood of an enjoyable evening was low. Right now, she felt queasy again. But her mood might lift with good music and some distance between her and those boxes that could potentially turn her life upside down. “Let’s go have some fun.”
** *
Boone was losing her, he could feel it. Tucked into the booth beside him, Nina was watching the band, but her mind was a thousand miles away. He couldn’t say he knew her well, but he was an excellent observer. Nina was a deep thinker. It was most obvious to him when she was at the design table. Her hands knew how to bring a vision to life while her mind worked on other things.
Her mind was working overtime tonight. The way she’d frozen in the family planning aisle had made him want to cuddle her close, to make any and every outrageous promise that erased the fear haunting her eyes.
She was thinking about life with a baby and how that would change the business routine and the life she’d carved out for herself on Brookwell. And likely obsessing over how being a single mom would change her reputation around town. Worse, she was probably obsessing over lying to her mom about his role in her life.
He didn’t want to be the bad guy here. He sure as hell refused to be an absentee father, but he wasn’t going to waste this evening imagining worst-case scenarios. The fact was, he liked Nina more with every passing day. He’d never expected to fall for anyone. Much less a woman who made him laugh every time she swore.
“Dance with me.” He held out a hand as the band shifted gears to a slow ballad. It was a melody that invited couples to get close on the dance floor. When she agreed, smiling up at him, his heart thundered. It was so much like that first night. When he hadn’t known her name and the common denominator was pure desire.
As she turned into his arms, her body fitting perfectly to his, he couldn’t help comparing then and now. Knowing her name and knowing she might be carrying their baby, made the connection better than anything he’d known. Holding her filled him with incredible joy and pride. She was a dream come true as they moved together to the music. He was losing himself and finding the man he wanted to be for her.
He was tempted to share his thoughts, but managed to hold back. This wasn’t the time or place. What he wanted to say was best shared privately, where she could accept or reject him without strangers bearing witness. For now, with the music and lyrics winding through his heart, he held her. No pressure or offers or demands. Only support and comfort.
Like a sunrise peeking over the horizon, he could almost see the family they could have, the love they could build, if she allowed him to stick around.
Even if the test was negative and this scare fizzled away, he wanted to stay. He hadn’t felt a need to settle down. His sister and her family fulfilled that sense of place, of home. But Nina changed that. He wanted to stay with her. She felt like the place where he needed to be, the person his heart needed to share a life. To love.
Wouldn’t that set the island grapevine buzzing—in a good way—with the story of how Little Nina fell in love with her bodyguard and lived happily ever after?
“You’re smiling,” she said.
“Because being here with you makes me happy,” he confessed. “Don’t look now, but you’re smiling too.”
She shifted a little closer, her fingers drifting lightly across the back of his neck. “Did you think it would be different?”
“Last night?”
Her chin dipped in a quick nod.
“Maybe.” The way she overwhelmed his senses, he couldn’t recall thinking about anything but her. Comparing one experience to the other just didn’t matter. Hearing her call out his name while they were in bed? That mattered. Made him feel like a man possessed. It was a feeling he wanted to enjoy as often as she’d allow. “Turns out it was better the second time around.”
He bent his head, stealing a quick kiss as the music swelled around them. Would she want to see if their chemistry was as potent tonight? It would be tough not to beg, even with the shadows under her eyes.
“We should get back,” he murmured. “Your mornings start so early.”
“True.” She stroked his jaw. “But this is… wonderful. I don’t want it to end.”
“It doesn’t have to,” he said. Her body stiffened in his embrace. He’d pushed too hard, too soon. “I meant—”
Her hands dug into his shoulders. “It’s him.”
“What?”
“Spratt.” Her gaze was locked on something over his shoulder. “The hallway near the bar.”
No way. He’d read the report, knew he was protecting Nina because the guy didn’t tolerate loose ends, but this was too audacious. Where were the cops? “Can you lift my phone?”
It was in a pocket of his cargo shorts.
He had to ignore the fires left behind as she fished out his phone. “Hold it between us,” he said. “Call 911.”
He kept his back to the bar, hiding her actions. It was hard to hear the operator’s voice over the band and the ambient noise of the bar. The last notes of the song faded and Nina wasn’t quite done. He pulled her even closer and kept swaying, his body blocking hers.
Her eyes kept darting over his shoulder as she gave a description, then she scowled. “He’s gone. Must be out back,” she reported.
“We’re leaving,” Boone decided, guiding her toward the front door .
“The check!” she exclaimed.
“I’ll call back and pay it.”
“Boone.” Her voice was sharp and distracted. Not at all the way he liked to hear her say his name. “Aren’t we safer inside than out? Jess said Spratt doesn’t want to draw more attention.”
Only punish Nina’s bravery. He kept the dark thought in his head. Nina made a good point. “You’re right,” he conceded. He nudged her back into the booth, scooting in beside her and doing his best to block her from view. But where did that leave them? They couldn’t stay in the bar indefinitely.
Spratt was out there, biding his time. He’d tracked her down and was ready to make an example of Nina: snitch and die.
If Spratt wasn’t a hardened criminal, that determination might be an admirable trait.
“It doesn’t make sense,” Nina murmured. Her hands trembled as she reached for her glass of water. “Revenge on me doesn’t do anything.”
“Bolsters his reputation,” Boone said.
“If I could go back, I wouldn’t have gotten involved.”
Boone was staring at his phone, debating his options. Would the police find Spratt? If there was any luck left in the world, they would. Boone wasn’t about to leave Nina’s life to luck. “Watch the crowd,” he said to Nina. “I’m calling Jess.”
She nodded, her gaze scanning the room behind him.
He kept his eyes on the bar, particularly the hallway where Nina had spotted Spratt.
“Boone?” Jess answered. “What’s wrong?”
“Nina is safe,” he began. “Spratt found us in Charleston.” He filled in the rest of the details with what remained of his professional detachment. “I need backup to get to the car and back to the island. ”
“I’m on my way,” she said. “Send me the address.” In the background Boone heard what he assumed was Nash’s deeper voice followed by Jess’s put-upon sigh. “Nash is with me.”
Boone might’ve found that amusing at one time. His gaze slid to Nina and he understood. Nash wouldn’t sit back while his sister and his fiancée faced an uncertain risk.
“You don’t have someone here in the city?”
“Of course I do, but this is Nina.”
Boone couldn’t agree more. “The more the merrier. We’ll see you soon.”
Ending the call, he set the phone on the table. Nina’s gaze locked with his. “She’s bringing Nash?”
He dipped his chin. “Your brother didn’t give her a choice.” He drained what remained of his Coke from the glass and swirled the ice around. “We’re to sit tight.”
“Great.”
“Hey, at least the music is good.” Right on cue, the band ended their song and announced a brief intermission. Boone rubbed his forehead.
“Let me out,” Nina said. “I need the restroom.”
He stood up, making room. “I’ll walk you back.”
She rolled her eyes. “No need.” She pointed to the hallway. “There’s enough of a crowd to repel Spratt.”
He eyed the women lining up. Spratt had connections in town or he wouldn’t still be free. “I’ll walk you back.” Weaving his fingers through hers, he didn’t have to play the part of besotted boyfriend. He was hers. Fully committed—professionally and personally. He walked her to the line and stuck by her side as if that was totally normal behavior, ignoring the judgy looks and less than subtle remarks about possessive guys .
When there was room inside for her to wait, he leaned back against the wall.
“Sometimes a girl needs her space, y’know?” One woman sniped at him.
He didn’t take the bait. Outside opinions were irrelevant.
“Women have to take care of each other,” another said. “Someone in there is asking her right now if she needs help.”
And her answer would be “no”. Counterproductive to mention it though. “That’s very kind,” he allowed. “And smart.”
“You’re loitering.” This declaration came from a mountain of a man stationed near the rear exit. “Move along.”
“I will. Just waiting for my girlfriend.”
The man ambled closer. “You heard me, dude.”
Boone wasn’t fooled. This guy looked slow, but he wouldn’t be at that post unless he could be quick when necessary. “She’ll be out in a minute.”
“If she’s here, she’s old enough to find her way back to your table by herself.”
“Look,” Boone began, but he got clocked by a meaty fist he didn’t even see coming. He cradled his jaw as he turned to face his attacker. The second man was almost as big as the first guy. “What the hell?”
Bouncer number two blocked the hallway. The customers waiting for the restroom were moving out of the way. Boone registered a few faces, including the sneer on one woman’s face, along with murmurs that he was getting what he deserved.
Damn it. Why did everyone have to meddle tonight? Yes, Nina was scared. But not of him. Maybe of what his presence meant, but this wasn’t the time for introspection unless he wanted to get his ass kicked .
“Get out of the bar,” Mr. Slow said, crowding Boone into Bouncer Two.
“Shortest distance is that way.” Boone pointed toward the rear exit. He was doing his best to hold his ground, but they were effectively moving him back. In seconds, he’d lose his view of the women’s restroom door.
“You’re leaving by the front door.” Mr. Slow advanced again. “All civilized-like.”
“Not without my girlfriend.”
Bouncer Two hooked Boone’s arm. “We’ll let her know you’re waiting on the street.”
Boone could take out both these clowns with a few precise strikes. Throat. Knee. But who might get hurt in the process? Worse, who would jump in and help the bouncers?
He craned his neck for a glimpse of the restroom door. “Let me text her.”
“Do whatever the hell you want. Outside.” Mr. Slow gave him a hard shove and Bouncer Two used the momentum to spin Boone around.
“Wait.” Boone dragged his feet as they neared the end of the hallway by the bar. “I need to pay the check,” he said.
It was enough to make the bouncers hesitate. He had to buy time for Nina to get out here and see what was going on. What was taking so long?
He glanced back down the hallway and caught a flurry of movement. Someone was hustling toward the backdoor, now cleared of any supervision. He would’ve chalked it up to a customer skipping out on their bill except for the struggle. And the shriek.
“Boone!”
Someone was hauling Nina out of the club .
Oh, hell no.
He shoved Mr. Slow aside and stormed back into the hallway. The women who had been closest to Nina in line tried to block him, but he twisted and wedged his way past the flimsy barricade without causing any real harm.
He was outside, only seconds behind her. The door slammed shut behind him. No hope of surprise. But when the man looked back, Boone recognized her abductor.
“Spratt, stop!” he ordered.
Nina was pulling away, twisting, and clawing at the brutal grip on her arm. Suddenly Spratt spun around and put a knife to Nina’s throat. “Oh, look.” He said to Nina. “It’s the abusive boyfriend.” He chuckled, the unpleasant sound grating in Boone’s ears. “People are so damn gullible.”
“Let her go,” Boone ordered.
“Counter offer,” Spratt snarled. “Leave now and you can live.”
Tears were tracking down Nina’s face. A red haze of fury narrowed Boone’s vision. “Let her go.”
“Can’t do that.”
“Should’ve left town when you had the chance. Prison is your next stop,” Boone vowed.
“Never going back,” Spratt declared. “Her body will be the message that ensures my freedom.”
This guy couldn’t be that dumb. The original video had been broadcast over regional news networks. He’d left witnesses back in the bar. The police would have a solid case within hours even if Boone let him go right now. For a bastard who refused to leave loose ends, he was only creating more of a trail. At this rate he’d have to nuke the city to eliminate all the witnesses and security camera footage .
“You’re attacking an innocent woman in front of countless cameras.” He gestured, hoping to distract Spratt. Didn’t work. “You’re done.”
“Not going back,” he repeated.
Boone’s mind raced as he tried to do the math. How long until Jess and Nash arrived? “Let her go,” he ordered. He spread his hands wide. “You can make a message out of me.”
“No!” Nina jerked against Spratt’s hold. “No.”
“You’re pathetic.” Spratt sneered. He dragged the tip of his knife down the column of her neck. The blade left little more than a scratch, but the message was clear enough. He’d carve up Nina without any remorse. “Accept defeat and keep breathing.”
Boone would never do that. He’d never leave her. Not unless she told him to go. He tried to fake resignation—he should slink away and circle back—but his body wouldn’t cooperate.
Fine. There were times when instinct should prevail.
He took a step forward and just let every dark and predatory thought show up in his posture, on his face. Spratt had made his choice. Boone was done with warnings and games. It was a calculated risk with that knife so close to Nina’s throat.
“Look at that. Your man is crazy,” Spratt declared, giving Nina a hard shake. He moved backward, but Nina didn’t go easily. She managed to step on Spratt’s foot, causing him to stumble so she could twist away from the knife.
Boone rushed in, capitalizing on the opening. He knocked the knife from Spratt’s hand and took him down to the hard pavement. The bastard moved like lightning, squirming out of reach and rolling away. Reaching for the knife .
Nina kicked the weapon under a parked car. The effort was admirable, but Spratt caught her ankle and yanked her down. She cried out at the impact, kicking at his face with her other foot.
Boone hauled Spratt off Nina and tucked her behind his back. He wanted to tell her to run, but the last time she was out of his sight, this guy had captured her. “Hold my shirt,” he ordered. Everything indicated the three of them were alone out here, but he wasn’t taking any chances.
Her hands gripped the fabric of his shirt, drawing it tight against his chest.
Spratt was on his feet. Instead of doing the smart thing and trying to escape, he dusted off his hands and pulled another knife.
Nina swore.
For once, Boone didn’t feel like laughing.
The men circled, sizing each other up. Boone had one hand on Nina’s hip, the other raised, ready to block. He only had to keep Spratt busy until the cops or Jess or Guardian Agency backup arrived. Preferably all of the above. Turning gave Boone time to assess the immediate area as he searched for a safe place for Nina to hide.
Spratt lunged, knife waving. Boone danced back and away. Nina moved with him, as perfectly in sync as if they were back on the dance floor.
Something to appreciate later. When they weren’t under attack with a lethal weapon.
The cold fury on Spratt’s face lit a fire under Boone to finish this. The man roared and came at them again, this time the knife held high. He was aiming for Nina. Boone blocked the incoming strike and darted backward, but he ran out of real estate and Nina got pinched between him and the side of the building .
He felt the wind get knocked out of her, worried that she’d hit her head as well, but she was still holding on tightly to his shirt.
He couldn’t effectively subdue Spratt and protect her. Had to make a choice. And if he miscalculated?
“I’ve got your phone,” she wheezed behind him. “Take him down.” Her hands slipped away and he battled the surge of panic. What if she wasn’t okay at all?
The best way to make sure was to finish this. Right now.
“Hide,” he ordered.
Trusting her to do that, he rushed at Spratt, driving him away from Nina. The man kept swinging, the knife blade flashing wildly under the streetlights. Boone got nicked a time or two as he methodically closed in. Block, uppercut, evade. Duck, slide, kick.
Spratt screamed as Boone’s kick crushed his knee. He went down in a heap, spewing curses and vowing retaliation, waving the knife in wild arcs to keep Boone off him.
But Boone wasn’t scared of Spratt or his weapon. He dodged, and seeing the opening, used the man’s momentum to turn him face down on the pavement. He held him down, slamming his arm over and over until the knife dropped.
He yanked Spratt’s arms behind his back and held them tightly, scanning the area for anything that would keep him secure.
On the street, car tires squealed and doors slammed.
“Nina!”
Her brother had arrived. Great.
“Back here!” Boone shouted. “Jess?”
“I’m here.” She skidded to a stop, taking in the scene. “You need cuffs? ”
He nodded as Nash blew past him to get to Nina. Jess helped him secure Spratt. The man was making vile threats against all of them now. “Where are the cops?”
As if the mere mention summoned them, sirens and flashing lights appeared, both in front and behind the club. Boone was grateful for the help and for a moment to look back to check on Nina.
Her brother was fussing over her and Boone didn’t want to get in the middle of that.
“Cameras out here,” Boone said. He couldn’t quite catch his breath. “Should be enough to confirm our story.”
Jess glanced at the devices. “Cops should’ve spotted him. The APB covers the entire city.”
“Not everyone can be as good as the Guardian Agency,” he replied. “They’re here now.” He was suddenly bone tired and more than ready to be done with Spratt.
“I’m gonna just…” He sat down as the building wavered in front of his vision.
“Boone!” Hearing Nina, he smiled. Or tried to. She was a little fuzzy around the edges. He blinked hard, wanting to bring her into focus. She was so pretty, even when she looked worried and mad, like she did now. “You okay?”
She pressed her hands to his face. “Boone. Listen to me.”
He tried. Really, really tried to listen. But several voices seemed to draw a net over him and he couldn’t make sense of the words. Nina was there, her scent familiar, the silk of her hair on his cheek. Nina was all that mattered, even as he slipped under a wave of black.