He’d awakened her, wanting her to eat dinner with him and Cammie and Travis, but she’d refused that too. So she’d remained on the couch while he had a quiet dinner with the others and he’d soothed Cammie when she’d asked him what was wrong with Eve.
But he couldn’t soothe himself.
After dinner, he put Cammie to bed with Travis and then went back into the living room to Eve.
“It’s time for bed,” he said in a soft voice as he sat on the edge of the couch close to her head. “Do you think you can sleep?”
She looked . . . unhappy. And that bothered him. But she nodded and allowed him to help her to her feet. He guided her into his bedroom, and she stiffened when he started toward his bed. Did she think he’d want to make love to her? Did she think him so insensitive that he’d place his wants and needs above hers?
“Eve, you aren’t feeling well,” he said gently. “I just want to hold you so you’ll feel better.”
She relaxed a little, but he could still feel the rigidity in her body as he tucked her into bed. Taking only time to take off his shirt and jeans, he crawled into bed next to her, automatically reaching for her.
For a long time she lay there, quiet, but he knew she didn’t sleep. She lay in the crook of his arm, her head pillowed on his shoulder. But she stared sightlessly up at the ceiling and she hadn’t relaxed.
After two hours in which neither of them slept, he finally turned to her.
“You’re not resting,” he said quietly. “You aren’t sleeping. Let me give you an injection, Eve. You’re in pain and it’s not necessary. The medicine will help you sleep and take away the pain.”
He could swear that tears flashed in her eyes, but the low light streaming from the bathroom wasn’t enough for him to be sure.
Without waiting a response, he got up and went into the bathroom, where he kept one of the med kits. He prepared a syringe and then returned to the bedroom, where she hadn’t moved from the place he’d left her.
She obediently rolled over, presenting her hip, and once he injected the medication, she rolled back, pulling the covers up over her body in an almost defensive gesture. He discarded the syringe and then crawled back into bed, worry for her nagging relentlessly at him.
She relaxed some as the medication took hold and he pulled her closer to him, pressing his lips to her clammy forehead.
Whatever was worrying her, he’d get to the bottom of it tomorrow. But then tomorrow was also the day he’d arranged the meet-up with her stepfather. That had to be done and out of the way. Only then could he move forward with her and prove to her that she was safe. That he’d never allow anyone to harm her or her siblings, nor would anyone ever take them away.
And then it occurred to him that for all her worry earlier and for her reluctance to leave him to discuss his plan with his brothers and KGI, she hadn’t asked him about it. After securing his promise that he would tell her everything, she hadn’t brought up the subject even once.
He frowned in the darkness. Was that what she was fretting over? Or had she simply forgotten once the headache had taken hold? Or was the headache a result of her stress and worry?
Tomorrow. Tomorrow he’d tell her everything. Just as soon as her stepfather was out of the picture for good.
CHAPTER 31
EVE was awakened by Donovan gently shaking her from sleep. Her eyelids fluttered open and she blinked the remnants of the drug-induced fog from her vision. She hadn’t wanted the injection but recognized the futility of trying to sleep when she was so wrapped up in her anguish. She needed a clear head for today.
“How are you feeling?” Donovan asked in concern.