by Rebecca Deel
She didn’t say anything, couldn’t. He was offering to hold her? No one had done that in more years than she wanted to count. No one except Trent. Not since her parents died.
Apparently deciding he’d waited long enough for her answer, he slid his arm around her shoulders. “Trust me, Darcy.” He settled deeper into the seat, moved the armrest, and eased her against his chest.
By degrees, her muscles loosened and she finally rested her head against his shoulder.
“Sleep,” he whispered. “If I hear anything about Trent, I’ll wake you.”
It seemed only minutes until Rio was rubbing her back with soft motions.
“We’re in the final approach, Darcy. An SUV is waiting to take us to the clinic.”
She eased away from him, regretting the loss of warmth. Then his words hit her. “Clinic? Why isn’t Trent in a hospital?”
“Gunshot wounds have to be reported. We can’t explain how the injuries occurred. Ted Sorenson is the surgeon who worked on Trent. He was a top-flight trauma surgeon until he decided he’d had enough of that kind of excitement. Now he’s one of the best vets in the country.”
Darcy’s jaw dropped. “Trent’s in a vet clinic?”
The landing gear dropped and within minutes the Lear taxied to a stop. On the tarmac, a black SUV waited, the driver, a big, burly guy with dark hair touching his shoulders and a scar running down the right side of his face, leaned against the vehicle. Oh, man. That injury must have hurt. She wondered why he hadn’t had plastic surgery to lessen the appearance of the scar. Then again, in his line of work, the fierce, dangerous look probably came in handy for intimidation purposes. Darcy wouldn’t want to meet him in a dark alley. Talk about giving her a heart attack.
Then he smiled. Wow, what a difference a smile made. “Rio, good to see you again. How are your teammates?”
“Doing well. Nate’s married now.”
“To the hot marshal?”
“That’s the one. She’s now an Otter Creek police detective. Carlos, this is Darcy, Trent’s sister.”
The driver opened the back door of the SUV for her. “Doc Sorenson was wrapping up the surgery when I left to come here.”
“Do you know how he is?”
He shook his head. “Sorry.”
Rio placed their bags on the seat beside her. “We’re only ten minutes from the clinic.” He climbed into the shotgun seat and Carlos took off the minute Rio closed his door.
The morning sun warmed her face as they drove to the vet facility. Carlos parked behind the back of a long, one-story building and ushered them inside. “Trent should be in the room by now.” With murmured thanks, Rio walked down the hall with Darcy and stopped in front of a closed door. He turned the knob.
Inside, a hospital bed occupied the center space. Her brother lay elevated, an IV delivering medication into his arm. Darcy hurried to Trent’s side. He was breathing easy, his color good. She brushed the hair away from his brow.
A warm hand rested on her shoulder. “He looks good, sweetheart.”
“How long before he wakes up?”
“Not for at least another hour. He’ll be in a pretty foul mood when he does awaken. You should be prepared.”
Footsteps drew Darcy’s attention to the doorway. A tall, muscular man walked in.
“You must be Darcy.” At her nod, he said, “Ted Sorenson. Your brother is fine. He’ll be off the job for a few weeks. You’ll want him to go back long before he’s ready.”
“When can I take him home?”
“Three or four days. I want to keep an eye on those gut wounds.”
“Complications?” Rio asked.
“Usual. His attacker didn’t sterilize the knife before using it on Trent.” He nodded toward the IV stand. “Antibiotics and pain meds. He’s still going to be a handful. Can’t let him move around on his own until the wounds have a chance to heal. I don’t want to redo my handiwork. You staying, Rio?”
“That’s right.”
“Good. You can ride herd on him. I’ll return later.”
Darcy stared at the now empty doorway. “Kind of brusque, isn’t he?”
“That’s how you know you’ll make it. If he’s gentle and kind, you’re in trouble.” He placed a chair close to Trent’s bedside. “I’ll get our bags.”
She sank onto the chair and clasped her brother’s hand. “Did you hear, Trent? Your doctor is grumpy, so you’re going to make it.” He slept on. She could handle her brother’s grumpiness, just not planning another funeral.
Rio returned and put their bags across the room near a door she hadn’t noticed. “Bathroom’s through there when you want to freshen up. Are you hungry?”
Her stomach rolled at the thought of trying to eat anything. She never had been much of a breakfast eater. “I don’t want to leave Trent.”
“That’s not what I asked, sweetheart. Will you eat something if I bring it to you?”
She shook her head. “I’d like a drink, though.”
The medic studied her face a moment. “You don’t eat in the mornings, do you?”
Darcy scowled. “Do I have a sign on my forehead or something?”
“Trent isn’t the only grumpy one. I’ll see what I can find you to drink.” With that, he turned and left.
Now she officially felt like a shrew. Looked as if she owed Rio another apology. She sighed, laid her cheek on her brother’s hand, and settled in to wait.
CHAPTER NINE
Rio grabbed the bags in the SUV’s passenger seat. Darcy might not think she was hungry, but her body needed fuel. If she couldn’t eat food this early, maybe she’d drink it. He hoped she liked chocolate. If not, he’d try another flavor.
He entered the clinic through the back door and strode down the corridor. At the rear of the clinic, he walked into the small kitchen and deposited the bags on the counter. He pulled out a container of egg white protein powder, dark chocolate cocoa, bananas, and vanilla-flavored almond milk. He dumped some of each ingredient into Sorenson’s blender. While the small machine mixed Darcy’s breakfast, he nuked hot water in a mug with a green tea bag laced with cranberry and orange.
He poured the protein shake into a tall glass with a lid and a straw. While the tea cooled, Rio returned to the SUV and hauled a 36-count case of water from the back and toted it into the kitchen. Yeah, he was here to help her care for Trent, but he was determined to keep her as healthy as possible. He hadn’t earned the right, but he wanted it. Aside from being attracted to her, Rio cared about Darcy and her wellbeing.
After storing water in the refrigerator, he carried her drinks to Trent’s room. She raised her head from the bed when he walked in. Had she been sleeping? Too alert for that. Resting, then. Good. She needed every bit of rest she could get over the next few days.
Her gaze dropped from his face to his hands. “What do you have?”
He lifted the mug as he continued toward her. “Green tea.” He handed her the shake first. “Breakfast.”
She tilted her head as she looked at the contents of the glass. “A chocolate shake?” She smiled. “I can get behind a shake in the mornings. It’s every kid’s dream come true.”
“Try it.” He watched as she sipped. Surprise crossed her face. “Like it?”
“This is wonderful, Rio. Where did you get it?”
“I bought the ingredients and mixed it in Sorenson’s kitchen. It’s a protein shake.”
“Will you teach me how to make these?”
He gave himself a mental fist pump of victory. Oh, yeah. Helping the beautiful lady learn to take better care of herself would be fun. “It’s easy. Now you can have breakfast without having to eat. When you start working, you can take it with you.”
Rio talked to her about the different protein shakes he and his teammates tried over the years, some of which had been gag-worthy disasters. As he talked, he watched her steadily drink the shake. Interesting. Darcy needed someone to talk to her during a meal so she forgot what she was doing. She’d be
come self-conscious over the many years of eating on the road.
When she finished the last of the shake, Rio handed her the green tea.
“No coffee?”
He glanced up, glad to see her eyes twinkling. “It’s better for you not to drink coffee or black tea, Darcy. They’re processed. Your body doesn’t react well to processed food or drinks.”
She wrinkled her nose. “Guess that includes soft drinks, too. I assume the information is from your research. When we return home, give me a list of the websites.”
Trent stirred. Darcy set aside the tea and leaned over her brother. “Trent? It’s Darcy. Can you hear me?”
“Darce?” he whispered.
“Right here. The doctor says you’re going to be okay.”
“Rio?”
“I’m here, buddy.”
“Thanks for keeping little sis out of trouble.”
“Hey!” Darcy frowned. “I’m not always in trouble.”
“He doesn’t know you like I do.” A small smile crossed his lips. His gaze tracked to Rio. “How long?”
“Two or three days before you can leave the bed without help. If you cooperate, I’ll push for two. You’ll be off the job for a while, though.”
His friend growled.
“You can help Darcy settle into the Victorian house she bought before you return to work.” Rio grinned. “You never know. A beautiful woman might catch your attention in Otter Creek. Think of all the sympathy you’ll have from the ladies in town.”
The other Fortress operative glared.
Sorenson walked in. “Well, Sleeping Beauty is awake.”
Trent’s glare shifted to the doctor.
“You don’t leave the bed without an assist, frog boy. Otherwise, I’ll have to redo all my fine needlepoint in your gut. On top of that, you need to keep your weight off that leg for a few days. You hearing me?”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Good. I’ve got patients who need me.” With that, he spun on his heel and strode into the hall.
“Guess I’m going to make it after all.”
Rio shared a smile with Darcy before he turned to his friend. “How did the mission go?”
“Rescued the kids. Several of the creeps who took them didn’t make it.”
“I can see you’re torn up about that,” Darcy said, tone dry.
“Don’t have much sympathy for those who target kids.” Trent’s eyes were drooping.
“Trent.” Rio waited until his friend focused on his face. “Sleep will help you heal faster than anything else. When you’re alert, we’ll tell you about Darcy’s house.”
The Fortress operative closed his eyes and slid into sleep.
The next forty-eight hours passed in a blur of activity for Rio. He and Carlos spelled each other, keeping watch so their wounded teammate would sleep and helping Trent move from the bed to the bathroom. Rio had a daybed brought in for Darcy while he and Carlos bunked down on the floor. When Darcy expressed dismay at his sleeping pallet, he shrugged and told her he’d slept in worse conditions than on a clean floor. He didn’t figure she needed to know about the nights he’d spent in the mud or perched up in a tree or patching up his teammates under fire.
When Trent progressed enough to walk the hall, Sorenson declared him fit enough to get out of his clinic. “No marathons,” the doctor said. “Keep the bandages changed. Rio has your antibiotics. Do exactly what he tells you and don’t whine about it. I don’t want to see you again, St. Claire.” With that, he returned to his furry and feathered patients.
Carlos stepped into the room. “SUV is parked at the back door,” he said to Rio. “Will you need help with Trent?”
“Trent can help himself,” snapped the grumpy patient.
“Good.” The other operative turned his million dollar smile on Darcy. “That means I can help Miss Darcy to the vehicle.”
“Hands off,” Trent said.
Carlos just laughed and grabbed Darcy’s bag in one hand, Rio’s in the other. “Yes, Dad,” he said as he walked out with her.
“Why isn’t he shaking in his combat boots?” Trent complained.
“Maybe because you can’t chase him down right now, St. Claire. You couldn’t wrestle a wet rag and win today.” Rio wrapped his arm around Trent’s waist while Trent draped his arm over the medic’s shoulders. “Check the attitude at the plane door. Darcy put up with enough crap from you in the last three days.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, man.”
Anger simmered in Rio’s gut. “I listened to you gripe at her for no reason other than you were trapped in that bed and refused to take pain meds. She’s handling enough without adding your sniping to the mix.”
“You accusing me of mistreating her?”
“She put up with it because she loves you.” Rio speared him with a narrowed glare. “I’m not sentimental over hardened military vets and I won’t be so accommodating anymore.”
“You won’t be around to hear anything I say.”
“Want to bet? You still need help for a while longer. Darcy can’t handle your care. That leaves me to keep your grumpy self in line.”
“Bite me,” Trent snapped.
“If you keep after Darcy, I’ll deck you, injured or not. Am I clear?”
“Shut up and get me out of here.” With Rio’s support, he limped to the waiting SUV. Carlos had seated Darcy in the third row of seats, leaving the middle for the injured operative.
Every mile to the airport, Trent fumed silently in his seat. No amount of gentle prodding by his sister elicited a response. She finally subsided, her expression puzzled.
Her brother’s lack of response didn’t bother Rio. Silence was better than the constant harping. All operatives hated being confined. Rio got that. He wouldn’t tolerate Darcy being on the receiving end of the verbal tirades any longer. Trent could suck it up and deal without tearing into his sister. In some distant corner of his mind, he acknowledged the protective streak kicking in. He tried to tell himself it was the concern of a friend, but he was beginning to suspect there might be more to it than friendship. And wasn’t that nuts. He’d only known Darcy for a few days, yet she’d somehow wiggled her way under his armor. Guess he’d have to see how this played out. At this point, he didn’t know if she’d consider exploring a relationship with him beyond casual dates. His job made him a risky bet for any woman.
Carlos parked near the plane and assisted Rio with Trent. While Rio helped Trent settle into a seat, Carlos retrieved their bags and deposited them in overhead compartments.
When he left, Rio grabbed a bottle of water and slapped a pain pill on Trent’s palm. “Take this.”
“I’m fine.”
“Shut up and take it, St. Claire. If I have to, I’ll make you, but I figure you don’t want to be embarrassed in front of your sister.”
The other man’s fists balled up.
“Trent.” Darcy’s soft voice drew his attention. “Quit acting like a brat and take your meds.”
Rio’s eyebrows rose at the steel in her voice. Nice. Guess she’d had enough of her brother’s attitude as well.
Trent growled. He swallowed the pill dry. He reclined his seat, grabbed a blanket and pillow Rio had placed on the seat beside him, and closed his eyes.
Stubborn, much? He blew out a breath. Rio figured he’d pick his battles. There would be more to come in the next few days. By the end of the week, Trent should be able to maneuver around the house on his own. That more than anything else would probably go a long way toward fixing the attitude. Highly capable and trained people despised being dependent on anyone other than themselves.
He dropped into the seat beside Darcy and informed the pilot they were ready to roll. A minute later, they were airborne.
Rio twisted in his seat. “How are you, sweetheart?”
“Nothing a night of uninterrupted sleep won’t cure.”
Right. He knew better. She’d still worry about her brother until she saw major improvemen
ts. “I need to stay at your house for a few days.”
Her head whipped in his direction. “Why?”
“Trent will need help until the end of the week. You can’t physically manhandle him. Do you mind if I stay?” He supposed he could stay at his own place and come if she called him, but he didn’t trust Trent’s judgment or restraint.
“Of course not. I don’t have a bed for you to sleep in, though.”
“Doesn’t matter. I’ve spent many nights on the ground. I’ll be fine on your floor.”
“Wonder if there have been new break-ins?”
“Josh didn’t mention that when I called him with updates on Trent.” That was another reason for him to stay. Though he didn’t plan on mentioning it to Darcy, Rio hadn’t been comfortable with her staying in that place by herself, especially with no alarm system. “Have you thought about installing an alarm system?”
“I plan to call Maddox.”
“We’ll do that as soon as we land.” He glanced at her. “Rest for a while. This may be your last chance to do so.” Rio grabbed a blanket. “Come here, Darcy.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and eased her against his chest, much as he had a few days earlier. “Let go for a while. Give yourself a chance to recharge.” Her not arguing the point reinforced his suspicions of her exhaustion.
Minutes later, Darcy was asleep. Rio spent the rest of the trip home enjoying the chance to hold her and thinking about the break-ins. Once Trent was on his feet without help, Rio would feel more at ease leaving her in the house. He couldn’t figure out why someone kept breaking into the place. Even more important, did the break-ins have anything to do with the previous owner’s murder?
CHAPTER TEN
Darcy woke to the deep rumble of male voices. She sat up in a hurry. Who was in her house so early? A glance at her watch had her eyes widening. Nine o’clock? Rats, not early, late. Oh, man. She’d meant to be up before now to check on Trent and spell Rio. She knew without asking that he’d been awake most of the night keeping watch so her brother would sleep.
Would Rio have to work at PSI after being awake all night? She hoped one of his friends stayed with her. Darcy would do her best to help Trent, but he outweighed her by a good eighty pounds and topped her by eight inches. Should her brother go down, she’d have to leave him there until help arrived.