CADEN PUSHED THE door open and stepped out of the bright hallway and into Mia’s dark room. A nurse stood beside the bed, a soft light burning overhead, spotlighting Mia in its warm glow. He stood immobile staring at her golden hair and pale face, relieved beyond measure to see her again.
“Her blood pressure is up. I think she’s having a nightmare,” the nurse whispered.
Mia twitched and mumbled in her sleep. The nurse placed her hand on Mia’s bare shoulder to calm her. It worked for a second before Mia shifted as if to get away from an attacker.
Drawn to her, Caden crossed the room, but stopped short when Mia mumbled, “Caden.”
The nurse smiled softly. “She keeps calling to you.”
The relief he felt moments ago expanded in his chest. He closed the distance, placed his hand on Mia’s bare arm, leaned over, and whispered in her ear, “I’m here, Mia. You’re safe.”
Mia sighed out a heavy breath and settled into the bed. She wanted him here. It meant so much to him to know that, his heart beat faster.
He brushed his hand down her bare arm. They’d put a gown on her but tucked the sleeve under her arm to keep her shoulder bare. Easier to change the bandage covering the minor stab wound. Her right hand lay next to her face on the pillow with a black brace covering it and her wrist. A white bandage circled her left arm where Marco sliced her. Dark bruises riddled her arms. He wondered if they’d cleaned the scrapes on her knees from when he’d dragged her down after making her run in heels. He should have slowed down, but getting her away outweighed his desire to be gentle and kind. His only thought had been to get her someplace safe.
He wanted to hold her hand, but one was in the brace and the other had an IV line running in the back of it. He settled for combing his fingers through her hair again and again like she’d done to comfort him in the van.
“I’m sorry, Mia. I tried so hard to make our date perfect. I wanted to make things up to you for the two times I didn’t show. You really did surprise and stun me when you walked in. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a woman as beautiful as you.” He let the words tumble from his lips, not caring that she didn’t hear him, or that he’d normally never say anything like this to a woman, or anyone. “I don’t think I’ve ever met, or will ever meet again, a woman as . . . extraordinary as you. You were so brave tonight. And tough. For all we went through and survived, you never gave up or gave away the fact I knew Trigger, not even to save yourself. You were smart enough to know giving Marco the information would only end our lives sooner.
“I’m sorry, Mia. For all of it, except the chance you gave me to get to know you. Whatever happens next, I will never forget you and what you did for me tonight.”
She continued to sleep peacefully, thanks to the drugs, and he hoped because of his presence. He didn’t fool himself though. After all he’d put her through tonight, she’d probably be happier to never see him again. He hoped to find a way to change her mind if that was the case.
“Caden.” She spoke his name on a sigh. Her hand reached to touch him but fell back to the bed. Dark circles under her long lashes spoke to the exhaustion she fought to reach out to him.
Hope rose and eased some of his worries.
He gently took her hand, careful of the IV, and placed it against his rough cheek. Her fingers brushed his skin and pressed to his face. He held her palm there and whispered, “I’m here, Mia. You’re safe.”
“Don’t. Go.” She mumbled the words. “You might forget . . . to come back.”
He chuckled. He may have forgotten two dates, but he’d never forget her again. “Never.” In fact, he had the overwhelming need to stay by her side forever just to ensure he never lost her.
He sat in the quiet, mesmerized by her placid face, and memorized every slope and plane of her soft skin. He fought off sleep for a chance to just be with her in the quiet as light brightened the night and brought on the day.
A hand rested on his shoulder. “Caden, you should go home and get some sleep,” Aunt Taffy coaxed.
“I don’t want to leave her.” This might be the last time he got this close to her.
“We’ll stay and watch over her,” Aunt Nancy assured him. “You’re no good to her if you’re asleep on your feet.”
All he wanted to do was crawl in bed and hold her.
Aunt Nancy ran her hand over his head. “You’ll see her later. You’ll talk then. It will all be fine.”
He hoped so. Reluctant to leave her, but knowing they were right, Caden scrubbed his hands over his face and eyes, shaking off sleep. He’d go home, clean up, go to his meeting with Agent Bennett, maybe catch a few hours of sleep, then come back and face Mia and whatever happened next.
He’d begin his campaign to win her over again, because he didn’t want to lose her. He wouldn’t lose her without a fight.