Chapter 47

CHAPTER

FORTY-SEVEN

Tori sat beside Stephen's bed, monitoring his progress as the night drew on. Since he'd developed a fever an hour ago, she feared infection was kicking in from his bullet wound.

She didn't dare leave him alone, fearful that something else might happen to him.

But she supposed the same could be said for any of these guys.

Her heart thudded with apprehension at the thought.

What if something happened to all of them at once? How could she help them all? And the defibrillator . . . they only had one. How could she possibly pick who to treat?

She tried to push down her worries and anxiety as she thought of her favorite Scriptures.

Philippians 4:6–7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Joshua 1:9: Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Matthew 6:34: Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Still, the reality of the situation continued to hit her. This whole thing felt impossible.

Would Larchmont really be able to set up surgery? Or could they find the person who controlled the pacemakers and stop him?

She had no idea if either of those things were possible.

Or if they could even track down this Rafferty guy . . . maybe he would have some answers.

Each of those things were out of her control. All she could do was take care of anyone who was injured—which was an important job.

She only wished there was a way she could help prevent all of this. But that wasn't within her power. She rubbed a hand over her face, feeling the tension in her brow and jaws.

Someone poked his head around the corner. As Kai's face came into view, Tori's shoulders softened.

Somehow, seeing him always made her feel better.

He paced closer and glanced at Stephen, who still slept. "How's it going?"

"He's stable. I'm just glad I was close when this happened and that we had the right equipment we needed."

"Me too," he said solemnly. "I'm here to relieve you. I can sit with him for a while so you can get some rest."

"But you need your rest also."

"I already got some. I insist that you go. I'll get you if I need you. I promise."

Tori glanced at Stephen one more moment before nodding and standing. She was tired. In fact, her whole body had begun to ache, beginning to bear the strain of this situation.

"Okay then," she finally conceded. "As long as you promise to get me."

"I do."

She started to walk past him when he touched her arm. When she looked up at him, their gazes caught.

He pulled her to him and wrapped her in his arms.

There wasn't anything romantic about the motion. He was simply offering comfort.

And it worked.

Her body softened in his embrace.

It had been a long time since she'd had this kind of human contact. Probably since Michael—and he'd been a mistake, the picture of steadfastness on the outside. But it was all an act.

Their breakup had only solidified her need to keep her distance from people.

As a traveling nurse, so many of her relationships—friendships—were short-term. Then, just as she got close to people, it was time for her to move on to a new location.

Her hesitancy to get too close to people was partly borne from her past in foster care. It was always safer to keep your distance, to not depend on anyone.

So why did Tori feel like she wanted to do this with Kai always and forever?

It was a dangerous thought—especially since Kai had made it clear he wasn't looking for a relationship.

When this was over, he would most likely move on. So would she.

She'd be wise to keep that in mind.

Kai sat beside Stephen.

Right now, everyone had their own jobs to do.

Gage was keeping an eye on the outside of the house in case anyone caught wind that they were staying here. Trevor was trying to find the actual security footage from Landon Jean-Pierre's house by hacking into the server of the security company. Someone had clearly altered the one sent to the police. Larchmont was trying to find a medical facility for their surgeries.

As Kai sat there, his mind drifted. He remembered the feeling of having Tori in his arms.

As soon as they'd stepped apart from each other, he missed her.

That thought was crazy.

But as much as he tried to deny those feelings, he knew they were there. If he were smart, he wouldn't deny them. He would deal with them and move on.

Yet he couldn't get the woman out of his head, even though he had far more urgent things to think about right now.

She'd disappeared into her bedroom.

Kai absently rubbed his chest again. He kept catching himself doing that. He was all too aware that he could be in Stephen's situation at any point.

He was living on borrowed time, and he didn't like that thought.

"Kai . . ." Stephen murmured.

He jerked his head toward the man and saw that his eyes had fluttered open.

"Are you okay?" Kai stood and leaned closer. "Do I need to get Tori?"

Stephen shook his head, his skin pale and his eyes dull.

"I remembered . . . something," the man said, his voice hoarse.

"About what?"

"Rafferty . . ."

Stephen had all his attention right now. "What did you remember?"

"Overheard one of his minions . . . said he likes to stay close," Stephen rasped. "Something about a bunker."

A bunker? Kai mused. That was interesting. But did that information really help them? He wasn't sure.

His mind raced as he tried to figure out what to do with that. Without more information, what Stephen had told him was just that—information.

But he prayed he'd find more pieces to this puzzle soon.