Chapter 8
Mike’s heart pounded as he held Kam in his arms. He didn’t want to let her go but he knew he had to check her eyes for uneven dilation in case she had a concussion. Her head had hit the pavement pretty hard. He loosened his grip and leaned back slightly, not wanting to let go completely.
“Kam, let me take a look at you.”
“I’m fine.” She dropped her arms and tried to take a step back, but he wouldn’t let her go.
“I’ll be the judge of your condition. Now tilt your head back and look at the light.” He was relieved when she complied. He covered one eye at a time watching for the reaction. “Both eyes are equally responsive, so I don’t believe you have a concussion.”
“Where did you get your medical degree from?” She stepped back and wobbled this time.
His arms instantly tightened around her again, holding her as she regained her equilibrium.
“I told you, I’m fine,” she insisted. Her eyes met his. “Did you get that fucker’s license number?”
He hesitated. She’d already asked him that question and he’d answered. “No. I was a little bit busy saving your pretty ass.”
She rubbed the back of her head. “Fuck. Is there any chance they were after you?”
“None.” At least he was fairly sure of that.
He hadn’t been involved at all in the recent arrests and the military kept SEALs’ identities and missions extremely secretive.
In certain places in the world, there was a sizable bounty on the head of every member of special operations, but they hadn’t received any specific warnings on terrorist cells actively looking to cash in around the San Diego area lately.
“He swerved away from me and went straight for you. I’d suggest we call the police, but we have nothing to tell them. ”
“A police report is going to do shit.” She sucked in a slow deep breath before letting it out on a huff and dropping her shoulders. Then she grinned up at him. “Well, somebody took notice of my threat.”
He was obviously thinking clearer than her. “Kam, they must be watching you. They knew you were going to be here tonight and obviously waited until we had finished supper. Get in your car. I’m going to follow you home. If they know your schedule, I’m sure they know where you live.”
He couldn’t let her go home by herself. Someone could easily be waiting for her, possibly hiding inside her home. Mike had to think quickly where he’d left his guns. He had one inside his gym bag, which was locked inside his vehicle, and another in a lockbox under his seat.
“On second thought, we’ll leave your car right here and I’ll drive you home.” He glanced over at the ten-year-old Subaru.
“You can follow me. I’m not leaving Scooby here.” She searched the ground around her feet. “As soon as I can find my keys. They must have flown out of my hand when I fell.” She glared at him. “When I was pushed to the ground.”
Mike quartered the area and quickly saw the keys about ten feet away.
He stepped over and scooped them up while she was looking in the other direction.
Handing them to her, he apologized once again.
“I’m sorry I tackled you but I’m not sorry that I got you out of the way of that truck. They were going to hit you.”
She nodded. “Maybe. Or maybe the driver was drunk.” She moved toward her car and clicked the fob to unlock the doors. “I’m going home. Follow me if you must.” She was in her car and moving before Mike made it back to his SUV.
He quickly caught up to her at the entrance to the street and followed her several blocks to a grouping of nice townhouses. He pulled into the open slot next to her car, grabbing the pistol from his duffel bag before he got out.
As he came around the backside of her car, his eyes instantly tracked to the gun in her right hand. Good. She’s being careful .
“Exactly what the hell do you think you’re doing?” Her left fist punched her hip as she nodded toward his gun.
“Let me have your keys. I’ll go through and clear your house then come back here and get you once I know it’s safe.”
Kam cocked her head to one side. “Really?” She laughed. “Last time I checked, I’m the only one here with police training.”
He chuckled. “I can guarantee you I’ve cleared more houses with armed hostiles inside than you.”
She nodded. “Okay. You’ve got me there, but I’m the one with the badge. I’m the one who will have to fill out all the paperwork if you shoot someone.”
Mike was not about to let her go in there alone. “How about we do this together? If anyone is in there, you’ll need backup.”
“Fine. I’ll go to the left, you go right.
You get the living room, dining room, and kitchen.
Don’t forget the pantry. It’s huge. I’ve got the bedrooms.” She was being bossy, but he kind of liked it.
He wondered if she liked being bossed around, especially in bed.
Mike chastised himself for such an inappropriate thought seconds before they were about to make sure her house was safe.
Each took a side of the front door. Keeping her body behind the bricks, Kam slid her hand around the corner and unlocked the door.
He counted down and then they entered.
Less than three minutes later, they had cleared the whole house and met back in the open concept kitchen, dining room, and living room. It was a nice place. Now that the lights were on, he took note of all the kitchen appliances sitting on her counters.
“You cook?” He asked before she could say anything.
“Why do you think I work out so hard? I love to eat. My mama is Italian and taught me everything I know.” Her eyes wandered to the wet bar. “Can I offer you a nightcap?”
He was ready to say no and leave her because she was now safe. When her hand shook as she reached for the bottle, he grabbed it from her and poured two fingers of whiskey.
“Here. Take a healthy dose. You need it.” He put the glass in her hand, and they held together until she managed to get it to her mouth and gulp. Taking the tumbler from her, he set it back on the bar. Her whole body began to shake.
Mike pulled her into his arms and simply held her.
“I hate fucking adrenaline. I feel so out of control as though I’m weak.” She reached toward the glass, but Mike grabbed it first, helping her bring it to her mouth.
“You’ve been through a lot tonight.” He rubbed her back as she slowly got her body under control. “Drink some more. This will help.”
Kam finished the last of the amber liquid and glanced at the still-open bottle on the wet bar. Taking a step back, he let her move away from him as he put the highball glass in the small sink on the wet bar.
“Let me take a look at your eyes one more time.” And then he promised himself he’d leave.
She thrust her face toward him with huge eyes. “See, I’m fine.” She covered one eye at a time with her hand. Both pupils were the same size and reacted normally when robbed of light.
“I just want to check you over. I slammed you pretty hard on the asphalt.” When she said nothing and simply rolled her eyes, he took that as consent.
Gently, he ran his fingers through her hair at the back of her head checking for swelling or tenderness.
When she winced, he spun her around so he could take a good look.
He could see redness, but it didn’t look as though the skin had broken. She had dirt in her hair but no blood. “You’re going to want to be careful when you wash this part of your hair. There’s some dirt buried deep in your scalp.”
“Thanks.” She glanced toward the foyer. “Thank you for everything you did tonight. You were such a good sport during class. I really enjoyed supper, and even though I’m going to be bruised in the morning, I appreciate you jerking me out of the way of that drunk in the big Chevy.”
“I don’t believe for one minute that the driver was drunk.
He came across the parking lot without headlights, then gunned the engine when we stepped apart.
” Mike couldn’t stop himself. He closed the distance between them and pulled her to his chest, holding her there with both arms wrapped around her. “Kam, please be careful.”
He was aware of adrenaline leaving his body and knew exactly what would happen next. After a close call like they had both just experienced, the body seeks to reproduce. If he didn’t leave now, they’d end up having sex on the closest flat surface. Tomorrow, they would both regret it.
Mike kissed her temple then stepped back, releasing her. “Try to get some sleep. I’ll see you Tuesday night.”