Chapter 7 #3
“Not of you!” she hurried to say. “Of him. I’m not an idiot, I know what those tally marks on his body probably mean.
He wants to make me number eight, and I’m terrified he’s gonna figure out a way to make that happen.
He’s not your typical psychopath. He’s not bad looking, and his personality wins over practically everyone.
He hides his evilness so well. I didn’t suspect a thing!
He has the ability to sweet-talk people into doing whatever he wants them to do. ”
“I’m not trying to diminish your fear. But let’s just take things one day at a time.
First, we get you out of Asheville. Feed you.
Get you some clothes. Get you settled with a roof over your head.
Get your strength back up. Then we can work on finding you a job and getting you back on your feet.
By then, the detective will hopefully have some information we can use to keep you safe.
Or he’ll let us know he’s found Nolan and arrested him.
It’s not productive to stress over things you have no control over. ”
She let out a long breath. “Yeah.”
“I will never tell you not to be afraid, because that’s ridiculous. I can’t make you feel or not feel something, but I can do everything in my power to lessen that feeling. To be by your side as you find your footing again. To have your six as you retake your power back.”
Kara looked at him, and the crazy connection he’d felt the first time he saw her returned tenfold.
“For some reason, when I’m around you, things don’t seem as scary.”
“Good. Now, how about you put on those clothes and we get the hell out of here?”
“Are you and your team allowed to leave? I mean, do you have to stay to continue to help? I’m sure there are lots of people still trapped and missing.”
“We were called in because we’re the best at flying in dangerous conditions. Now that the weather has cleared, there are plenty of other pilots who can do the searching.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah. So let’s put as many miles as possible between us and this town…and possibly Nolan fucking Colins.”
She smiled then. “Yes, please.”
“So polite,” Chaos teased. Then he sobered. “I could see about getting a hotel room if you prefer, so we can both wash up and sleep before we head north.”
“No!”
The word was forceful—and a little panicked.
“Easy, Kara.”
Her expression turned sheepish. “Sorry. I mean, I know I stink and my hair is a disaster, but I want to leave here. As soon as possible.”
“All right. I’ll go find Casper and—”
“Will you stay while I change?”
“Okay. I won’t be far. Just on the other side of the curtains.”
She bit her lip. “Right. Okay. I…That’s fine.”
Chaos leaned forward slowly, resting his forehead against hers. She closed her eyes as her hands gripped his flight suit at the waist.
“I’ll wait in here while you change, then we’ll both go find Casper. Okay?”
She nodded and sighed in relief, then leaned back.
Chaos let go of her and watched as she picked up the shirt on the top of the stack of clothes Edge had brought her.
He walked to the curtain and turned his back, giving Kara as much privacy as he could.
She didn’t ask him to turn, didn’t demand he close his eyes.
She trusted him to be in the same space as she was while she changed.
It was a big deal, and Chaos knew it. What they’d been through had forged a bond.
He’d saved her, then she’d saved him right back.
They were in this together, and he wouldn’t let down his guard until he knew for sure she was safe from the asshole who’d decided she was his next victim.
He had no illusions that Nolan wanted to keep Kara alive indefinitely. The tally marks she mentioned were proof of that. He’d revel in the power he had over her for as long as it amused him, then he’d kill her, get rid of her body, and move on to his next target. It was what serial killers did.
He’d be damned if Kara became another mark on his chest.
“I’m ready.”
Turning, Chaos was pleased to see the change of clothes had brought a smile to her face. He always felt like a different person after a mission when he was able to get into something clean and fresh. He was pleased that they fit decently too, probably because she was so tall.
Then his eyes narrowed as something dawned on him.
“What? I thought the shirt and sweats fit pretty well,” Kara said, looking down at herself.
Chaos couldn’t help but grin. “They do. And my copilot seems to have raided my duffel bag to find you something to wear. I recognize that T-shirt, it’s from one of my favorite places on earth.
Matsumoto Shave Ice in Oahu, Hawaii. It’s on the North Shore, and I got that shirt the last time I was there, which was way too long ago.
And those sweats. I know they’re mine because of that small rip in the knee.
I was in my backyard one morning, before coffee, and I tripped and fell right off the edge of my deck. ” He chuckled at the memory.
Seeing her in his clothes did something for him. He liked it. A lot.
“Is it weird that we wear close to the same size?” she asked, sounding uncertain.
Chaos walked back over to where she was standing. “Not in the least. It’s kind of cool. I mean, don’t think I want to start wearing your dresses or girly shit, but anytime you want to steal my shirts or sweats, feel free.”
She smiled at him shyly. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Come on. Let’s blow this joint. I’m hoping your next helicopter ride will be better. A lot less stressful than the first.”
“We’re flying to Norfolk?” she asked.
“Yup. Gotta get the choppers back to Laryn so she can go over them with a fine-tooth comb, and so she can yell at us for any scratches she finds.”
“She’s Casper’s fiancée, right? The mechanic?”
“Yup.”
“I thought she usually went where you guys go. That’s what you said, at least.”
It was more than obvious this woman had listened and taken to heart everything he’d told her while they were in the woods. “She does. But she had a doctor’s appointment she couldn’t miss. About the baby. Or babies. Casper wasn’t happy he had to miss it, but the girls all went with her.”
“She’s okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Good. All right. I’m ready.”
“I’m proud of you, Kara. What you’ve been through, it would break most people. But not you.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure of that,” she muttered, not meeting his eye.
“I’m not saying you’re unaffected, just that you’re staying strong while dealing with it all.”
She just nodded.
Chaos decided not to push any further. “Ready?”
“Ready,” she confirmed.
He didn’t miss the way she tensed as they exited the treatment area, but she kept her head up and walked at his side as they headed to where Casper was standing next to one of the two choppers they’d flown down to North Carolina.
He had no idea what would happen in the future, but Chaos made a mental vow to do whatever it took to make the woman at his side safe to live her life without constantly looking over her shoulder.