Chapter 19 #3
“Do you mind if we go to bed? I kind of like being like this, but I think I want to do it horizontally rather than vertically.”
“That I can do.”
He’d gladly take her to bed any time, day or night, although on this occasion, his hormones would have to give it a rest. She need comfort, not sex.
Of course, he was more than happy to oblige with the latter whenever she was ready.
“Come on, then. At least when Livingston calls, it won’t be a video call. ”
Lying skin to skin, in the comfort of his huge bed, Rhys was content to hold the woman he loved and keep her safe. There would still be all the shit with Markham to process and deal with, but he’d make it as easy for her as he could. His shoulders were broad enough to take the load, and then some.
Just when he was beginning to wonder if something had happened to delay the agent’s contacting them, his cell phone beeped, alerting him to a call. The caller display answered his question.
“Livingston. Yes, we’re okay. She’s here.”
For a moment, Rhys considered putting the call on speaker but decided against it—there was no telling what might come out during the course of the conversation, and he didn’t want Taylor to hear anything that might upset her.
He listened while the other man brought him up to speed with what had happened since they’d taken Markham and Bree McAndrew into custody and explained that they would be held at the field office until they were transported to the courthouse on Monday for their initial appearance before a judge.
“But once he’s there, that’s it. He goes into the court system, where he’ll be transferred, most likely to New York. If Taylor wants to speak to him before that happens, tomorrow is the only window she’ll have.”
Rhys might not have been familiar with the minutiae of FBI process, but he could recognize what Livingston was offering—an unofficial opportunity for a conversation, most likely with some strings attached, but an opportunity, nonetheless.
And they were going to the field office tomorrow anyway. “Can you hold on while I ask her?”
“Ask me what?”
Rhys moved the cell phone away from his ear. “After we’ve given our statements tomorrow, there’ll be a chance for you to speak to Markham… if you want it. Don’t feel obliged to. If it’s too soon?—”
She waved at him impatiently. “Give me the phone.”
That was the Taylor he knew and loved—a woman who knew her own mind. “It’s all yours.”
He could only marvel as he listened to her end of the conversation.
Somehow, she’d found a deep reserve of strength and courage to face what needed to be faced.
As the discussion continued, a picture formed in Rhys’ mind of a shared future with this incredible woman, of her keeping him on his toes for the rest of his life—a life that wouldn’t be boring, that much was certain.
The exchange came to an end, so she handed back the cell, her expression grim but satisfied. “All yours. He wants to speak to you again.”
As a precaution, Rhys held the phone to the ear furthest away from Taylor—if Livingston said anything about her, he wanted damage control in place.
“Tay tells me you want to speak to me.”
“Just to confirm the time for tomorrow. You can make it here that early?”
He glanced at Taylor. “We can,” he replied, confident he could speak for both of them.
“Good. You know, she’s one incredible lady.”
Rhys didn’t need anyone to tell him that. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
“You’re a lucky man.” Livingston paused, as if considering his next words. “Her situation is pretty unique, but I’ve seen enough similar to know she’s going to need help. It’s inevitable it’s going to hit her, and when it does…”
“I’ll be ready,” Rhys vowed. “She’s safe with me.”
Livingston chuckled. “I kind of figured that out.”
“Wouldn’t take a genius, pal.”
The dig was good-natured, and the FBI agent took it as such. “Yeah, very funny. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”
Rhys ended the call and set the cell phone down on the nightstand. Hopefully there would be no more interruptions. “Tay? Can I ask you something?”
“You can ask me anything.”
“Are you sure you’re ready for that conversation with Markham? It won’t be easy.”
Her breath sighed across his chest. “I know, but I have to do it, and tomorrow’s my only chance. Cruz said the judge is likely to order him to be detained without bail and then removed to New York, and once that happens…”
There would be a trial, and unless his defense worked a miracle, Markham was likely to be found guilty and given a serious term in federal prison.
“I thought I had a father,” she continued. “Turns out I didn’t. I need to know why. I need to know what happened. He’s the only person who can tell me, or point me in the right direction to find out who I really am.”
She met his gaze with trepidation in her eyes. “I don’t want that conversation. Ever. I’m not ready for it, but I have no choice. I have to do it. Please tell me you understand.”
He did. Courage wasn’t being brave—it was being afraid and facing that fear head-on, just as Taylor planned to do. He hugged her close and kissed her. “I do, fy nghariad. I do.”