Keep Me Safe(72)
A prickle of unease had Ramie rubbing her chest. His words sounded so ominous. As though he was going to discuss something life-changing with his brothers and sister.
“Where are Dane and Eliza?” Quinn asked sharply. “Did we have any serious injuries on our side?”
“They’re fine,” Caleb replied. “They’re assisting in cleanup and evidence gathering. I don’t trust the police to share important information with us so I made sure I had men on the scene.”
He let Tori go, squeezing her hand before allowing it to fall from his grasp. Then he gently helped Ramie to her feet as though she were a breakable piece of glass. Judging by the expressions on the others’ faces it was too late for her not to end up a hot mess, which only left Caleb to be the relatively sane one.
Still, she couldn’t help the apology that formed on her lips. She lifted her gaze to Caleb’s two brothers and then swept it to Tori.
“I truly am sorry,” she said quietly, scrubbing back the stupid, endless tear trails from her cheeks. “If I had known, if I’d had any idea this would become so dangerous and out of control for Caleb—and you—I would have never called him.”
Caleb went rigid with anger. His jaw bulged from the strain of clenching his teeth.
Beau stared at her a long moment, his expression softening into a look of apology.
“I’m glad you did, Ramie. I believe my brother needs you every bit as much as you obviously need him. You certainly can’t be blamed for the actions of a cold-blooded murderer.”
Ramie offered him a tremulous smile, though he was blurry through a sheen of tears. If only she could quit crying, for God’s sake.
“Thank you,” she said sincerely.
“I believe we all owe you an apology,” Beau said, including his brother and sister in his stare. “But we’ll wait to give it to you when you’re in better shape to hear it.”
THIRTY
CALEB wrapped his arm around Ramie’s waist and slowly walked her up the stairs. As soon as they reached the top, he swung her up into his arms and carried her the remaining way to the bedroom.
He leaned over the bed, easing her down, and then sat on the edge turned sideways to her as he wiped at more tears that streaked her cheeks.
“We make quite a pair, don’t we?” he asked with a sigh.
“I don’t know why I can’t stop c-c-crying,” she said through chattering teeth.
Her jaw quivered and a fresh surge of hot tears trickled down her temples and into her hair. He lowered his head and pressed his lips to her forehead in the tenderest of kisses.
Without a word, he began to undress her, though her skin was ice cold and goose bumps dotted her body.
“Cold,” she fretted.
“I know, baby. Give me just a minute and I’ll get you warm.”
She went silent, only a hiccup escaping her when she evidently tried to swallow back another sob.
When he was finished undressing her, he hurriedly divested himself of clothing as well and climbed into the bed with her, pulling her flush against his body so his heat would warm her.
She gave a drowsy sigh then yawned broadly as she nuzzled her face into his chest. He hoped the medicine was taking effect and that she’d soon drift off to sleep.
“Caleb?” she whispered.
“What, baby?”
“I realized something today.”
“Oh? What’s that?”
She hesitated a moment, her cheek resting on his bare chest, her soft breaths blowing over his skin.
“That I love you.”
His heart surged and his pulse began racing.
A fresh torrent of tears wet his chest.
“Ramie? Baby, why does that upset you? Hey,” he said, nudging her chin up with his fingers. Her eyes were glossy wet. Not exactly the reaction he’d hoped for when she made such an admission. “What’s wrong? Why does that upset you? You have to know that I’m pretty damn happy about the fact that you love me. I’d sure hate to be in this alone.”
“Because it scares me,” she said baldly. “If you don’t love anyone then you can’t be hurt. If something happened to you I couldn’t bear it, Caleb. I’ve never loved anyone before and I have to tell you it sucks.”
He laughed softly at her mournful tone and then he gathered her up in his arms, squeezing her tightly against him. He kissed the top of her head, smiling against her hair.
“I agree. It totally sucks,” he said, still grinning.
“If I didn’t hurt so bad I’d so jump your bones so I’m going to hang on to the sorry-honey-I’ve-got-a-headache line from last night.”
“I’ll let you get by. Just this once.”
“Caleb?”