Radclyffe - Honor 07 - Word Of Honor

by Word Of Honor (lit)

  “ Take care of her.

  “ Yes sir. I will.

  Cam dropped the phone on the bedside table, unstrapped her weapon, and stripped down. She wanted to take the weapon with her into the bathroom, but the last thing Blair needed right now was to feel unsafe. She compromised by placing it on the chair closest to the bathroom door. She knocked, tried the handle, and finding the door unlocked, slipped inside. The shower was running, but Blair stood in front of the vanity, her hands clutching the edge, her head down. Her hair fell forward to cover her face, but it was easy to tell that she was crying. Cam cradled her from behind. “Its okay, baby.

  Blair turned and wrapped her arms tightly around Cams shoulders, pressing her face to Cams neck. “It was over so fast. I didnt think about it. He didnt care if Paula died. I had to stop him.

  “ Are you sorry?

  “ No, Blair said after a few seconds. She raised her head and searched Cams face. “Should I be?

  Cam smiled wryly. “No, baby. You shouldnt be. He murdered one of Tanners men, he shot Stark and left her to die. He most certainly would have killed you and Dana once he realized there would be no negotiations. And that was just today.

  Blair smiled weakly. “Have you everwith your bare hands?

  “ No. With a weapon. Cam sighed. “And Ive given the order, when I would much preferred to have done it with my own hands. She stroked Blairs cheek. “You were amazing. You saved yourself, you saved Dana and Paula. You did exactly what needed to be done. She kissed her. “Im proud of you.

  “ Youre shaking, Blair murmured.

  Cam squeezed her eyes tightly closed, holding back the tears that rose out of nowhere. “I just need to hold you.

  Blair caressed Cams back, smoothed her hand over her hair. “Im okay. Im right here.

  “ Christ, I was scared.

  “ I knew you would come, Blair whispered. “Dont cry, darling. Im never leaving you.

  Cam swiped her face on her arm. “I just want to spend the rest of the day with you in my arms, but we need to get to the hospital.

  “ How about taking a shower with me first?

  “ Ill take a shower with you. Hell, Ill even go shopping with you. Cam kissed her, hard. “Im not letting you out of my sight. Ever. “I wont complain. Blair laughed. “How things change. Cam held open the shower door. “Love will do that to you.

  * * * * *

  Dana pressed a cellophane-wrapped sandwich shed picked up in the hospital cafeteria into Renées hand. She set a cup of coffee on the end table next to her and dropped into a surprisingly comfortable chair close by. “I know you dont want to eat, but you should. Its been a long day. Its probably going to be a longer night.

  Renée turned the sandwich around in her hands as if shed never seen one before. She still wore her black BDUs and T-shirt, and she looked wild and dangerous. “Shes been in there for almost five hours.

  “ The trauma resident told Emory a branch of the femoral artery was nicked. They have to repair that. That kind of stuff takes a while.

  “ They said the nerve was okay, didnt they? Renée asked for the third time. “Her legif her legif she cant

  Dana had never seen anyone faint while sitting down, but she thought Renée was about to. Her normally vibrant golden skin was a lusterless, washed-out beige, and her eyes were unfocused. Dana quickly knelt in front of her and cupped the back of her neck. “Here, put your head down for a second.

  “ Sorry, Renée whispered. “Sorry.

  “ Its okay, Dana murmured, rubbing her shoulder. “Its been a really crappy day.

  Renée laughed weakly and slowly raised her head. Her eyes glistened with tears. “Yeah. Really. She brushed her cheeks. “She loves her fucking job. If she cant do it anymore, I think it will break her heart.

  Dana smoothed her hands over Renées shoulders, then squeezed. “That kind of decision is way down the road. I think this country needs people like her right now, and the government doesnt let go easy. Theyll probably rehab her until her ass falls off, but theyll get her back to work.

  “ Yeah. Ive been there. Rehabs a bitch. Renée looked past Danas shoulder and stiffened. “Emory! Is there any word?

  “ One of the nurses just stuck her head out of the OR. Theyre almost done. Shes stable.

  “ Do they know anything about her leg yet?

  “ Its too soon to tell, but arterial repairs are usually straightforward. Emory rested her hand on Danas shoulder as Dana stood up. “I wont say dont worry, because thats impossible. But I think we have reason to be optimistic.

  Renée took a shaky breath. “Thanks for everything.

  Emory leaned into Dana. “I think Dana is the one to thank. Keeping pressure on the wound all that time made a huge difference.

  Dana blushed, liking the way Emory touched her in public. She wished they could be alone. With everything that had been going on, they had barely had a chance to see each other since the counterassault on the cabin. Still, whenever Emory saw her, her gaze lingered on Danas, and her mouth curved into a small smile. Even the slightest glance made Dana quiver.

  Her thoughts were about to wander down decidedly inopportune avenues, considering where they were and how long they were likely to be there, when Blair Powell and Cameron Roberts entered the small waiting area. The presidents daughter looked remarkably fresh and composed in jeans and a plain dark blouse. The deputy director wore a jacket and pants and an unreadable expression. Worried, Dana thought. She doubted Cameron Roberts liked Blair venturing out in public, which probably explained the presence of a cadre of agents close behind them. Dana nodded toward Blair. “Ms. Powells the one to thank. She saved our asses.

  Renée jumped up as Blair hurried over.

  “ Hey, Blair said, hugging her. “How are you doing?

  “ Okay, Renée said. “How about you?

  Blairs expression clouded. “Im so damn sorry about Paula, Renée.

  Renée frowned. “If it werent for you, she might be dead.

  “ If it werent for me, Blair said bitterly, “she wouldnt be in the operating room right now.

  “ Blair, Cam said gently.

  “ Its true, Cameron, and theres no way to pretty it up, Blair said sharply. “Damn it. They were after me.

  “ Yes, they were, Cam said in a reasonable tone, although the look in her eyes was hot and angry. “They were after you, personally, which is bad enough. But by trying to use you as leverage against the president, they were also after all of us, and all of those that we as a nation protect, not just here, but everywhere. Matheson and those working with him were trying to destroy something far greater than you. She took Blairs hand. “And I can guarantee that Paula Stark or any one of us, including you, would gladly go down fighting to prevent that from happening.

  Every agent in the room nodded and Blair just shook her head before kissing Cams cheek. “I love you, you know that? She looked around the room. “All of you.

  “ Can I quote you on that? Dana asked.

  “ Yes, Blair and Cam replied together.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  D iane turned away from the window, sensing a presence despite the utter silence in the room.

  Valerie stood just inside the bedroom door, as if she were waiting for permission to come any farther. Diane hadnt heard the door open or close, which wasnt unusual. Valerie appeared and disappeared as if her existence were merely a ripple on the surface of other peoples lives.

  Diane wondered when Valerie would trust what was between them and believe that there was nothing about hernot her past, not her present, and not what she might have to do in the futurethat would force Diane to turn from her. Slowly, she closed the blinds, then crossed the lamplit room until she was standing in front of Valerie. She took both of her hands, marveling at the soft, subtle strength in her long fingers. With her hair tied back in a simple ponytail, without makeup, in the jeans she so very rarely wore and heavy boots, she looked nothing like the sophisticated, elegant woman she usually presented to the world.<
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  “ I like you like this, Diane mused, tracing her fingertip along the edge of Valeries jaw. “Youre gorgeous in anything you wear. Or when you wear nothing at all. She laughed and draped her arms loosely around Valeries neck. “But just like this, you look so strong. Simply beautiful.

  Valerie closed her eyes briefly. “Ive spent most of my life trying not to be seen. Or at least to be sure that others only saw what I wanted them to see. Im not sure that what you see is real.

  “ Oh, believe me, Diane murmured, insinuating her body against Valeries. “Its real. You are real. Whats between us is real.

  “ Im very much in love with you, Valerie said quietly.

  “ Even if Im not heroic?

  Frowning, Valerie glided them across the room to the bed and pulled Diane down beside her so they were half lying, half sitting, facing each other. “Where did that come from?

  “ Im surrounded by accomplished women. Brave. Valorous. Warrior women. Diane shrugged and stared at a spot on the bed between them. “Im none of those things. Im frivolous and fainthearted and

  “ Stop. Valerie silenced her with a kiss. “Bravery isnt about carrying a gun or even being willing to fight. Its about being willing to fight, maybe even die, for something. I know you would die for Blair. For any of your friends.

  “ For you. Diane pulled Valerie closer until their legs entwined. They kissed, and she smelled the lingering hints of battle. She held Valerie tighter, aware that she might not have come back. Accepting that this moment, every moment, was precious. “I love you.

  Valerie rested her forehead against Dianes and sighed. “Im so tired. So tired of never being able to stop. Of never feeling safe.

  “ Come to bed with me. Let me hold you. Let me keep you safe tonight.

  “ I will. Valerie pulled away. “But I have to see Cameron first. There are things I need to tell her. Theyre on their way back from the hospital now. I told them to keep your cabin.

  “ Fine. Go see her. But then I want you back.

  “ As soon as I can.

  Diane didnt want to let her go. Valeries eyes were rimmed with shadow, and the pain of too many lonely years shimmered in them. “Ill be here. I want to be here. No matter what comes.

  “ I want that too. Valerie cradled Dianes hand against her cheek. “More than I have ever wanted anything or anyone.

  Diane smiled. “Well, thats a good start.

  Laughing, looking lighthearted and suddenly years younger, Valerie rolled away and got to her feet. She pointed, shaking her finger. “Stay right there. Better yet, take off your clothes and get in bed. Ill be right back.

  “ Go, Diane chided as Valerie backed up slowly, her gaze hungry. Diane was afraid if Valerie didnt leave quickly, shed go after her, and if she touched her, she might not let her go. “You owe me a night of impossible pleasure, and I plan to collect.

  “ Impossible? Valerie shook her head. “That word does not apply to us.

  Then Valerie was gone, as quickly and quietly as she had entered. She might be used to passing through other peoples lives without leaving a trace, but her presence was indelibly marked on Dianes heart.

  With slow anticipation, Diane undressed.

  * * * * *

  Emory let herself into the cabin as quietly as she could. Shed sent Dana back to the lodge with some of the others hours before, after shed taken a good look at her and realized that Dana was about to fall down. Shed made Dana promise to go to bed, and hopefully, she was sound asleep right now. She undressed in the living room and tiptoed naked across the darkened bedroom. When she stood by the side of the bed listening to Danas regular breathing, she thought it was the sweetest sound shed ever heard. Carefully, she eased under the covers.

  “ Emory? Dana asked sleepily.

  “ Hi, Emory whispered, snuggling close. When she draped her arm around Danas middle, Dana drew a sharp breath and tensed.

  “ What is it? Emory sat up. “Are you hurt? God, Danaare you hurt?

  “ No, Dana said, sounding wide awake now.

  “ Let me turn on the light and look at you.

  “ Im okay, Dana said, stopping Emory with a hand on her arm. “My ribs got banged up this morning, and Im a little stiff. Its nothing serious.

  Emory ran her fingers through Danas hair. “Are you sure?

  “ Promise. We just have to go easy for a few days.

  “ Damn, Emory murmured, relaxing into Danas arms again. “And here I had such plans for you.

  “ Theyll keep, wont they?

  Emory heard uncertainty in Danas voice and kissed the edge of her jaw. “Didnt we say this morningGod, was it only this morning? Didnt we say that being together last night was a beginning? Today, when I thought something might have happened to you Emorys voice wavered and she had to take a deep breath. “I want you in my life. I want us to find out what that means.

  “ I want that too. Dana kissed her forehead, then her lips. “Im away a lot.

  “ I work a lot.

  “ I dont fool around.

  “ Thats too bad. She danced her fingers down the center of Danas chest, over her abdomen, then lower. “Because I do.

  “ Let me revise that, Dana whispered. “I only fool around with you.

  “ May I quote you? Emory asked, gently stroking.

  “ Yes. Dana groaned. “Can youpleaseoh, God. Can you just keep doing that forever?

  Emory laughed softly. “Well, thats a start.

  * * * * *

  “ Drink? Cam asked as she poured another two fingers of scotch into her glass.

  “ No, thank you, Valerie said, quickly scanning the room. “Blair?

  Cam nodded toward the closed bedroom door as she returned to the sofa. “Asleep. As soon as we got back from the hospital she crashed.

  “ No wonder. I got word that Stark is out of surgery.

  Cam sat heavily, stretched her legs out, and let her head drop onto the back of the sofa. She had changed into jeans and a sweatshirt after Blair had fallen asleep, and waited, knowing that Valerie would eventually arrive. “All things considered, shes lucky. The round tore up some muscle but missed the bone and the nerve. If it hadnt nicked the artery, she probably wouldnt even have gone down. The blood loss is what took her out.

  “ Then she should do well.

  “ With a little more of that luck. Cam grimaced, thinking of the man they had lost. Of almost losing Stark. Of Dana. And God, of Blair. She gestured to the sofa. “Sit down. You must be beat, because I sure as hell am.

  “ Our situations are a little bit different. Valerie settled on the couch a few inches from Cam. “I thought youd want a report tonight.

  “ I do. Cam sipped her scotch. “Ill trade you what I got from Lucinda if you tell me you got Mathesons partner.

  Valerie tilted her head, half smiling. “Which one?

  “ Not the one that was making the phone demands to DC. The one Matheson was counting on to get him out of here today.

  “ I wondered if youd figured that out.

  Cam grinned wearily. “Im tired, but I think my brain is still functioning.

  “ No one would blame you for being off your game today, but you werent.

  “ Yes, I was, and you know it. I owe youwe all owe youfor telling me so.

  “ I didnt want control of the operation because I didnt trust your judgment, Cameron. Valerie shot a look toward the bedroom door and lowered her voice further. “If something went wrong, I wanted

  “ I know what you wanted. Cam tapped Valeries arm, a light caress, then drew her hand away. “You wanted the casualties to be on your head, not mine. Especially if one of them was Blair.

  “ Yes.

  “ Thank you.

  “ Youre welcome. Valerie angled sideways on the sofa and her leg lightly brushed Cams thigh. “Were almost even.

  Cam shook her head. “Lets just say weve each saved each others lives more than once. Hopefully we wont have to do it again.

  “ Hopefully, Valerie said pensively.

 
“ So tell me.

  “ When Greg was flying a grid over the area in the chopper, he spotted a snowmobile trail cutting through the forest about five miles down the mountain. It didnt intersect with the main road, but it ran close enough in spots that a heavy off-road vehicle could have reached it.

  “ A big SUV like the Suburban, Cam said.

  “ Yes. He had the pilot bring the helicopter down where the trail came closest to the road and it looked like the trees were thinner. He found an old fire trail and followed it. Guess what he found.

  Cam drained her scotch and set the glass carefully on the table beside her. “An abandoned snowmobile?

  “ Precisely.

  “ Matheson knew we would follow him if he managed to get out of here with Blair in the SUV, Cam said tonelessly. “But all he needed was to be a minute ahead of usthen he pulls off road, reaches the trail where his partner is waiting, transfers to the snowmobile, and disappears into the forest. We wouldnt be able to see them from the air and we wouldnt have the equipment to track them on the ground.

  Valerie shrugged. “Simple, but elegant. The best plans always are. Ive got people out there now following the snowmobile tracks, but I doubt theyll find anything.

  “ He didnt expect us to risk the hostages by engaging him in the cabin. Cam stood abruptly, her chest hot with anger. Matheson would have executed the hostages in the forest, she was certain of that. “He thought he could put Blair in that vehicle and drive away, and wed let him.

  “ He was counting on us being cautious because of who Blair is.

  Cam grinned with dark pleasure. “He underestimated her, didnt he?

  “ He did. How is she?

  “ Exhausted. Cam braced an arm on the fireplace and watched flames lick at the logs. “She wasnt supposed to have to do this herself. Thats why were here, to spare her this.

  “ Cameron, Valerie said softly. She went to Cam and rested both hands on her shoulders. “Whats important is that she survived. And she has you to remind her that what she did was right, on every level.

  “ Lucinda couldnt get a trace on the caller. Cam sighed as Valerie lightly massaged her shoulders. “When he was advised there would be no prisoner exchange, he said this was only the first strike. Then he hung up.