Apocalyptic Proportions: Rescue Team Nine (Book 2)

Chapter 19

Red

"And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord our God:" Revelation 19:1

I have enough time to grab a small bucket from the balcony and return to Aimee before she throws up. Holding her hair away, I rub her back with the other. It doesn't take long for the contents of her stomach to empty. Lifting her gently in my arms, I lean down to grab a blanket before stepping into the next room. Carrying her to her favorite chair, I tuck the blanket around her before turning on the lamp.

"Take a deep breath and breathe out slowly."

Aimee follows my instructions.

"Better?"

She nods. I could beat myself for not getting to the room faster. I wanted to kill the jackass, but the knife I saw flash in the air as he threatened Aimee slowed me down. Training has taught me to get in and out of places without making noise. Frank slipped and held the knife out of the way when he'd started moving against Aimee. Fury took over, and I took the opportunity to take him from behind. It wasn't long ago I had to pull my partner off a man who'd been trying to harm his wife. If it had been up to Bear, he would've killed the man. Thankfully, I was there to pull him away before that happened. I didn't have that luxury, but I did have Dice's voice yelling at me through that goddamned earpiece. The only thing that saved Frank was my willpower and respect for my job. And maybe Dice a little. But I know one thing for sure —the guy won't be moving for a while, and the sheets I used to tie him will keep him bound until I get him downstairs to the prison.

"Thank ... you," Aimee whispers.

A hiccup separates the words and makes my heart jump with it. A tear slips down her cheek, and I kneel in front of her before lifting my hand. Wiping the moisture gently away, I push a strand of hair behind her ear before tilting her head toward me. It takes a minute, but her hiccups slowly subside. I love that I have that effect on her.

"Sometimes I feel like I'm swimming in an ocean, and the land just keeps taunting me. I'm alone. I've accepted that. I don't have any family, and the family I have never wanted me. But tonight, I realized how lonely I am, and it scares me. I've never allowed anyone in before." She takes a breath. "Maybe that's a mistake." Her hands twist the blanket. "You cared. I wouldn't have been okay if you hadn't shown up."

Damn straight, I care. Another tear follows the first. I lean forward and touch her forehead with mine. This woman inches her way into my heart more and more every day.

"You aren't alone." Another tear falls before I take her lips with mine. It's a gentle kiss, one that speaks of kindness and understanding. It wasn't meant to last but a moment. It was meant to give comfort. I can taste the salt from her tears.

"You have me."

A temporary silence fills the room, but a noise from the bedroom brings us back to the present. I don't try to hide my scowl.

"I guess I need to take care of that."

Noticing her hand tremble from the noise, I grip it. "You won't have to worry about him anymore. That's a promise." I smile. "I know a few buddies below that'll love having him in the cell with them for a while. He may be the key we need to switch the poison. Are you going to be okay while I take him down?"

I wait for her to nod before I stand and head toward the bedroom. Turning around at the door, I make sure she's listening. "When I leave, lock the doors. I think the threat's gone now, but I'm not taking any more chances. I'm sorry, Aimee."