“Is there any other way to eat them?” Donovan asked in mock horror. He kissed her brow again and ruffled her hair and then left the room only to return a moment later with another bag of IV fluid.
After setting it up and reconnecting the line to the bag, he pulled out a syringe and uncapped it.
“Climb in and get comfortable with Cammie,” Donovan directed. “I’ll give it on your right hip this time.”
Eve climbed underneath the covers and Cammie promptly snuggled into her arms, warm and so precious against Eve’s chest. She squeezed a little harder than necessary, but it felt so good to have Cammie next to her. In a safe place with no fear of discovery.
She let Donovan pull up her shirt. It wasn’t as though he hadn’t already seen her legs or her ass. But he was careful only to pull down the band of her panties enough to bare the injection site. She closed her eyes and Cammie reached up to pat Eve on the face.
“It’ll be okay, Evie,” Cammie said in a solemn voice. “Van will make it all better.”
At that Eve opened her eyes and smiled. “I know he will, darling.”
The needle slid into her flesh and Eve only grimaced a little as the medicine was injected. By the time Donovan adjusted her clothing and tucked the covers around her and Cammie, she was already feeling the effects of the drug. Her eyes fluttered drowsily and the pleasant hum of the medication replaced the vicious ache in her head.
Donovan leaned down, and to her surprise he kissed her softly on the lips. Nothing prolonged. But it was intimate all the same. A quick brush. He didn’t leave his lips on hers for long, but she felt them there long after he’d withdrawn with a husky “Good night.”
“Sleep well, my girls,” he said, a note of possession in his voice. And how good it sounded when he said “my girls.” It made Eve wistful. Made her think what it would be like if they were his girls. Belonging to him.
“I’ll have breakfast for you in the morning, and Maren will be out to check on all of you before lunch.”
“G’night, Van,” Cammie said sleepily. “Love you.”
Eve’s eyes widened in shock, and she glanced hurriedly at Donovan to gauge his reaction. Would he be put off by the declaration? It had come out of the blue. Never would Eve have imagined those words coming from Cammie’s lips. Oh, she was an affectionate, adorable little girl, but she’d been taught reserve at far too young an age. While she was openly loving with Eve and Travis, she never warmed to strangers the way she had with Donovan. And she hoped it didn’t break Cammie’s heart when it was time for them to move on.
But Donovan didn’t seem to mind in the least. His entire face softened and a gentle smile curved his mouth upward. He ran his hand through Cammie’s hair and then pressed a kiss to her forehead.
“Love you too, sweetheart. Now get some rest, okay? You’ll feel better tomorrow.”
“Promise?” Cammie asked around another jaw-cracking yawn.
Donovan smiled. “Promise.”
CHAPTER 20
EVE’S dreams were tormented with a myriad of flashes from the past. And the present. They swirled together in one unending stream of horror.
The tornado had her in its grip again, but instead of Donovan lifting the mattress that had saved her life and protected her from further harm, Walt had been standing there, his gaze triumphant.
I have you at last, Eve. And this time you won’t escape me.
She awoke with a start, sweat beading her forehead. She sat up straight in bed, her skin clammy and cold. A chill had settled deep into her body until her bones ached with it.