Just One Touch (Slow Burn #5)(8)

He crept stealthily toward the vehicle, Zeke taking his six. When he peered into the front seat, his heart sank and his pulse ratcheted up. God damn it. Had they gotten to her? Then he peered into the backseat and his knees went weak with relief. Until he got a full view of her.

She was curled into a tight, protective ball and even in sleep-and she looked completely wiped-there were deep lines in her forehead and she twitched and made whimpering noises. Or was she unconscious?

Had he done this to her? Had saving his life made her so helpless that she was incapable of defending herself?

And then he softened in places he didn't think he had the capability to ever be soft in when he saw the tracks of silent tears sliding down her cheeks.

Zeke was no less affected and muttered a grim, "Fuck. What are we going to do, Isaac?"

"She goes with me," Isaac said in a tone that brooked no argument. "No way I'm leaving her to those assholes. God only knows what was done to her before she managed to escape."

Zeke's expression became thunderous. "We should put a team on her so she has twenty-four-hour protection."

"She goes with me," Isaac snarled.

"Dane's going to want a full report and a say in how this goes down."

"Fuck what Dane wants. She's mine. This has nothing to do with Dane. She isn't technically a client. Therefore, whatever is done will be done my way, my decision."

Zeke's eyebrows went up, but he wisely didn't push the point.

Isaac carefully opened the back door, not wanting to awaken her with a sudden noise. She'd already endured far too much fear and stress. He wanted to end that shit for her right now. But he also knew that she wasn't someone who was going to trust very easily. He would have to be patient and extremely gentle with this woman.

He hesitated, almost touching her, as he stared at the tiny ball she'd curled herself into. She looked so fragile he was afraid to touch her. Hell, his hands were enormous compared to her bones, her hands, her arms. What if he hurt her unintentionally? But no way in hell would anyone else be the one to carry her anywhere.

Holding his breath, he gently smoothed one hand up her arm, testing her awareness. But he shouldn't have worried. She didn't so much as flinch. She was clearly beyond her limits, and guilt surged freshly through his veins. 

She was a fucking miracle. He was still numb and in disbelief that he was here, whole, no evidence of having been shot, instead of in a morgue where his teammates would have the unfortunate task of identifying his body.

Knowing he needed to hurry, he slid his other hand beneath her soft body and then moved the hand resting against her arm so that he could put his arm underneath her legs. He lifted her effortlessly and began to back out of the vehicle, paying close attention to her every breath, movement or facial expression.

She still hadn't shown any sign of rousing. This both worried him and relieved him. Holding her close to his chest, close enough that he could feel both their heartbeats, he strode toward his vehicle even as he gave orders to his teammates.

"Get rid of my SUV and then disable the tracking device. I'd destroy it, but Beau would throw one hell of a fit. But make it disappear for a while. When it's safe . . . someone can retrieve it."

When it's safe. Now there was a leading statement. Knowing as little-which was nothing-about the situation he was now squarely in the middle of, having any idea when it would be over was the least of his concerns. Knowing what he needed to know in order to keep her safe and protected against harm? That was his number one priority. She'd saved his life without knowing a thing about him other than that he was dying a foot away from her. There was no way in hell he would allow her to suffer or be afraid a single day longer.

"What do you want to do, Isaac?" Shadow asked as Isaac carefully laid the woman in the backseat of their SUV.

When Isaac was satisfied she was as comfortable as he could make her, he turned back to see all three of his teammates gathered around him, their expressions concerned and questioning.

As much as he hated the idea of leaving the woman he considered his, as crazy as the idea of her belonging to him may be, his responsibility, to anyone's protection but his, he knew he couldn't simply disappear without giving Dane and Beau an explanation. He dragged a hand through his hair and muttered a curse. Then he pinned the three men with his intense stare.

"I have to go in and let Dane and Beau know what's going down and that I'm out of commission for a while. I need the three of you to take her to my place and lock it down. I don't want her out of your sight even for a second. I'm trusting you to ensure nothing happens to her. I'll make it quick and be back as soon as possible, but I need you to do this for me."