Chapter 5 #3
“I agree,” he told his friend.
“You think there’s any way she’ll agree to stay here in DC, while we look into things in Arizona?”
Pipe snorted. “Not a chance in hell.”
“Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. I’ll call Stone. Give him a head’s up on what’s happening, and that we’ll probably have a guest coming back with us. Maybe I’ll give Tex a call to see if he can start looking into this Ridge guy too.”
Pipe nodded, turning to look at Cora. She hadn’t moved.
She had her arms wrapped around her belly as if she was holding herself together.
It looked like the weight of the world was on her shoulders, and he almost desperately wanted to carry that burden for her.
“I’ll meet you in the lobby tomorrow morning,” he told Owl.
“I’ll see if I can get her to stay in DC and let us do some recon, but if she balks at that and insists on coming with us, she’ll need to go back to her place and pack. ”
“Sounds good. Shoot me a text if she’s coming with us, and I’ll take care of getting her a ticket to New Mexico.” Then Owl cleared his throat, and Pipe turned to look at his friend.
“We’re all in on this, right?”
“Absolutely,” he said with a nod. “You didn’t hear the story of how she and Lara became friends.
She was a foster kid, and she aged out of the system without anyone wanting to adopt her.
Lara befriended her in high school and they’ve been extremely close ever since.
They’re like sisters, and if Cora says Lara’s in danger… well, I’m starting to believe her.”
“You’re right, I didn’t hear that story. But I didn’t need to. The concern and love for her friend is easy to see. Besides, after what almost happened to Alaska, the thought of anyone else going through that…it turns my stomach.”
Pipe nodded, his lips pulling down in a frown.
“All right. I’ll let you tell her what’s up. Let me know if you run into any snags, otherwise I’ll see you in the morning,” Owl said.
“Copy,” Pipe said, reverting to military speak.
Up until now, everything had been somewhat casual.
He’d started the evening just hoping to satisfy his curiosity about why Cora wanted to win that auction so badly.
Now that he and Owl had decided to check into Lara’s situation officially, things felt more formal and urgent.
He nodded at Owl and didn’t wait for him to head toward the elevators before walking over to Cora.
She turned as he got close. Her arms were still around her waist protectively, but she lifted her chin as if preparing for him to tell her bad news.
“We’re leaving in the morning. Owl and I will meet with our friends at The Refuge and make a plan for going to Arizona to potentially talk to your friend.”
Cora’s eyes widened, then her shoulders sagged in what Pipe could only assume was relief. “You believe me?” she whispered.
Pipe stared at her for a long, intense moment before nodding.
She closed her eyes briefly before looking back up at him. “No one else has,” she said in a tortured tone.
“You know your friend better than anyone. If you say she’s in trouble, why shouldn’t I believe you?”
“Because there’s no evidence? Because she told me that she’s fine? Because what woman wouldn’t want some rich man to sweep her off her feet and whisk her away to a life of luxury?” Her tone was a bit bitter, but Pipe didn’t take offense.
“I’ve relied on my gut more times than I can count. And it’s never let me down. If you say she’s in trouble, she’s in trouble,” he said with a shrug. “Any chance you’ll wait here in DC while I go find Lara?”
Cora looked aghast. “What? No! I’m going with you!”
Pipe couldn’t stop the small smile from forming on his lips.
“What’s so funny?” she asked a little belligerently.
“Sorry, nothing. I had a feeling you’d want to come with us.”
“Of course I’m coming with you! My best friend may or may not have been kidnapped by her asshole boyfriend. There’s no way I’m staying here while you go and see her.”
Pipe nodded. Anticipation churned in his gut.
He couldn’t be upset that she was coming back to New Mexico with them.
He was looking forward to spending more time with the woman.
Getting to know her better. Not that anything would come of it…
she lived in DC, and he wasn’t going to leave The Refuge.
But it had been a long time since he’d been drawn to a woman the way he was to Cora.
“All right,” he told her. “I’ll escort you back to your apartment so you can pack a bag.
I’ve got two beds in my room here at the hotel.
It’d be easier if you came back and stayed here, but if you don’t feel comfortable with that, I can pick you up at your place in the morning, then we can meet up with Owl and head to the airport. ”
Cora nodded, even as she turned toward the restaurant’s exit. “You don’t have to take me home. I’m a big girl, and I’ve been riding the Metro my entire life without any issues.”
“I know I don’t, but if you think I’m going to let you walk off into the dark by yourself, you didn’t do as much research into me as I thought.”
Her lips twitched, then she sobered. “I just don’t want you to think I’m some wilting flower who can’t take care of myself.
I’ve never had anyone to lean on before, other than Lara, and with the way I’m feeling right now—pissed off and frustrated about this whole situation—I can more than handle anyone stupid enough to come at me tonight. ”
“You’ve got someone to lean on now,” Pipe said quietly as he gestured toward the exit. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
She stared at him for a moment, and Pipe had no idea what she was thinking. She was very good at hiding her emotions when she wanted to.
Finally, she nodded and walked past him.
As she did, he heard her whisper, “Thank you.”
Those two words, spoken so softly, so earnestly, did something to Pipe. He’d been thanked before, many times, but never had an expression of gratitude sounded so heartfelt.