Tansy wanted to curl into Sam and forget the rest of the world existed.
He’d found her.
Joe and Nico stood beside her, touching her as if to ensure she was whole. Sam squatted in front of her and held her hand. After the previous hours of fear and uncertainty, being wrapped in love was the best feeling ever.
Sam had used a knife to cut the ties binding her ankles, but none of them would let her stand. She wasn’t sure she was steady enough to try.
A tall woman came up to stand beside her brother. She held out her hand to Tansy first. “Hello. I’m Special Agent Shanice Williams of the Bedford FBI Field Office. I’m glad you’re safe.”
Tansy shook her hand.
The men introduced themselves and shook her hand as well. Nico, dressed in one of his spiffy suits, spoke. “Your reputation precedes you, Agent Williams. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Yours as well. All of you. Now, who wants to tell me exactly what’s going on here?”
Joe and Nico moved to the side with the agent, but Sam stayed with her, those serious eyes focused only on her.
“Any broken bones, Tans?”
She shrugged. “Not sure. Maybe my left tibia.”
His hands flexed in hers and his gaze drifted to the door where they’d taken the thug.
A whoop of an ambulance approached, and fear ran through her. “I can’t go in the same ambulance with him. I don’t want to be near him.”
Sam’s gaze hardened. “I’ll take care of it.” He stood but didn’t let go of her hand.
In a moment, Troy appeared at his side. She hadn’t realized he’d been there, too. So many people had her back.
Sam’s voice was rough. “See if they’ve sent two ambulances. If not, have them send a second. Also, see if they’ve got a blanket. She’s soaked and freezing.”
She hadn’t thought much about it, but he was right. Apparently, being terrified messed with her observational skills.
This time, when Sam squatted beside her, he pulled her in for a hug and tried to warm her with his body.
She loved this man so much.
Troy returned with a paramedic and a blanket. Sam tucked it around her as the woman knelt in front of her and slid a blood pressure cuff over her arm. “I’m Inaya. Can you tell me about the injuries?”
Tansy leaned into Sam. “He stabbed me with a knife several times in both legs and once on my forearm, sometimes a straight stab, sometimes a slice, other times a twist. He also hit my lower left leg with a baseball bat twice.”
The woman’s gaze hardened. “Where’s the worst pain for the moment?”
“I think my tibia is fractured.”
“Are any of the cuts stinging?”
She hadn’t thought of that. “I don’t think the knife was poisoned. I’m not feeling any of the typical effects.”
At Inaya’s raised eyebrow, Sam chuckled. “Tansy is a scientist. She knows a lot about a lot of things.” Then his voice turned serious. “Do you think there’s a chance the blade was tainted?”
The paramedic shrugged. “It’s good to take all possibilities into account. I’m assuming the knife is being treated as evidence? Have it checked first for trace elements.”
Sam squeezed Tansy’s shoulder, kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll be right back.”
Inaya finished with her vitals and sparkled up at her. “You’re a lucky one. He’s yummy.”
And Tansy found her first genuine laugh in a long time. “He certainly is.”
“I’m going to slice open the bottom of your leggings to get a better look at your injuries. I’ll take pictures of the condition before so that the agents have that for any evidence they need.”
Tansy nodded while Inaya went about her job.
When she’d snipped the legging up to the thigh, Tansy looked down. Blood had dripped down from the cuts and there were several red marks on her shin that would likely develop into bruises.
Inaya patted her hand gently. “I’m glad your man and his friends are going to put this jerk away for a long time. The other ambulance will be here in a minute and I’ll switch your care to them. We’ll record all the measurements and take pictures to help with the investigation. The more evidence, the better.”
“Shouldn’t you be with him? His injuries are more serious.”
Inaya raised an eyebrow. “Depends on your point of view. His injury isn’t life-threatening, and it’s kind of self-induced. My partner is taking care of him.”
Tansy hadn’t got a closeup of the man’s injured hand, but enough to know that he was likely going to lose a large chunk.
She was just petty enough to hope that the hospital didn’t use prosthetics with any of the parts she had created. He didn’t deserve to have the best.
Which was arrogant and mean, but she didn’t care.
Inaya smiled. “Here’s the other ambulance now. I’ll wait until someone arrives before I switch out. You’ll be in good hands at the hospital. We may not be a huge city, but our doctors are terrific.”
Tansy thanked her as the other paramedic arrived and the woman stood to confer with her colleague.
Sam returned to pull her in for another hug.
She had so many questions, so many things she didn’t know, but she didn’t have the energy to verbalize them. All she wanted to do was snuggle into Sam and let the rest of the world fade away.
Frustration was evident on his face and in his growl when he spoke. “I can’t go to the hospital with you. We need to head to the FBI office to fill out paperwork and get the investigation going.”
Even though she didn’t want to let him go, she smiled. “That’s okay. I’m perfectly capable of handling the hospital by myself.”
He frowned at her. “You won’t be alone. Graham is here. He was down at the office waiting to let the police in. He’s going to stay with you and keep an eye on things from the hospital.”
Sam’s jaw hardened, and he took a breath. “The sadistic bastard who did this to you will be under heavy guard. You don’t have to worry about him anymore.”
“I know.” Tansy reached up to cup his cheek. Her eyes filled with tears for a moment, but she blinked them away. She’d told herself she wouldn’t waste another chance. “Thanks for finding me. I love you, Sam.”
Joy flared in his eyes and he kissed her hard. “I love you, too, Tansy. So much.”
She couldn’t stop her own smile and she caressed his jaw and ran her thumb over his lips. He kissed her again and she poured herself into it.
Sam pulled back and smiled at her. “You’re the best person I know, Tansy. I love every part of you.”
Tears filled her eyes and he cupped her face in his big hands. The love in his eyes filled her up and took away her pain.
Then he pulled her in for a tight hug that made it even better.
A voice called out to interrupt them. “Agent Young. We need you.”
Sam growled into her neck but Tansy laughed. She’d forgotten they were in a storage unit surrounded by agents. Apparently fear wasn’t the only thing messing with her observational skills. She whispered. “Go. Do your job. I’ll see you soon.”
He squeezed and kissed her again, hard enough to heat her blood. “Count on it. I love you.”
Sam hated paperwork at the best of times.
This was far from the best of times.
Discharging a weapon on duty meant a mountain of paperwork. Discharging a weapon while on vacation meant that mountain morphed into a whole range of mountains.
If Graham hadn’t kept him up to date on Tansy’s safety and progress back in Keene, he’d have walked out of the FBI field office hours ago.
According to the agents who’d interviewed the injured man at the hospital, he was the quintessential thug. Knew nothing except that if he followed orders, he got paid.
Because Sam was officially on leave, he hadn’t been allowed to conduct interviews with Howard. At least they’d let him watch through the two-way glass.
Howard didn’t appear the least bit worried about being arrested. He hadn’t so much as blinked when they’d told him they already knew his identity. The asshole sat calmly with a smirk on his face the entire time Sam watched. He refused to answer a single question, including his name, until his high-priced lawyer arrived.
Slick, self-important, cocky.
At least they now had his fingerprints on file.
They hadn’t found a single match to any unknown prints in the system, which wasn’t surprising. Howard was an experienced criminal. He’d been in business for years and had more tricks up his sleeve than most.
He also had minions to do his bidding and the dirty work.
But they’d get him.
He’d hurt Tansy, and he was going to pay for that.
Rage simmered beneath the surface of Sam’s skin. Flowed like blood.
He needed to get rid of it somehow. If they were at Midnight Lake, he’d run the perimeter, train with Tansy.
Take her to bed and stay there for days, making love to her.
He’d tell her he loved her again. And that it was a forever love.
Shanice Williams entered the interview room and everyone stood a little straighter. Sam hadn’t met her before today, but her reputation was known everywhere. Young, tough, brilliant.
In the past few hours, he’d found out her reputation was well earned, and the woman was respected by everyone in the office.
She stood beside him for a minute and they watched Howard smirk. Then she shook her head and looked at Sam. “Can I speak to you for a minute in private?”
Sam followed her to her office, which was smaller than he’d expected. She motioned him to close the door and then she sat behind her desk and he took the chair in front.
“I’ve been reading up on you, Agent Young. I’ve also talked to a few people back in California. You’ve got a solid reputation, but the word is that you’re looking to step away from the FBI and start your own protection business.”
Sam had to chuckle. “There is absolutely nothing as terrifying as the FBI gossip train.”
Shanice grinned. “Very true. Is it accurate?”
Sam nodded. “I’m on vacation for a few more weeks, but that’s the direction I’m thinking.”
“I’d like to give you more options.”
Okay. This wasn’t what he’d expected at all.
“One option. Transfer here. You can have your choice of positions. Finding stolen kids is the most emotionally draining job I know. There are other jobs that might give you as much satisfaction while not putting as much stress on you and your personal life.”
Sam’s mouth dropped open. His choice of positions?
“Option two. Freelance for the FBI. I’ve got a team of terrific agents, but there are times, as you know, when we need outside resources.”
He did know. Red tape and protocol had hindered many operations. The FBI followed very strict procedures and, stepping outside the lines was frowned upon.
Which had lead to his mountain range of paperwork today.
“I think you would make an excellent addition to the team either way. I don’t want an answer today. You’ve had an incredibly difficult and emotional day. Think about it and we’ll talk in the next few weeks. Now, why don’t you head out of here and check on your Tansy? I’ll handle the rest for you.”
Sam thanked her and headed to the parking lot. Graham had given him the keys to his car when he’d gone in the ambulance with Tansy. Sam started the Charger, input the hospital into the GPS, and made his back to Keene.
Inside, it didn’t take long to get access to Tansy. An FBI badge went a long way. That would be one perk he’d miss.
The thought halted him. Shanice’s offer tempted him, but his gut wanted to move on. Freelance might be an excellent fit.
Shanice knew he’d screwed up in allowing Tansy to be taken in the first place, and she wanted him and his experience anyway.
Tansy was in a private room off the emergency area. An officer stood outside the room and checked over Sam’s badge before making a call to his superior to approve his entry.
The procedure slowed him down, but he couldn’t be upset. The extra steps were keeping Tansy safe, and that was all that mattered.
“Go ahead inside, Agent Young.”
Sam nodded his thanks and opened the door.
Graham grinned at Sam, but Tansy didn’t react. Her eyes were closed, and she looked so tiny in the bed.
How badly had she been hurt?
Sam’s hands fisted, and he wanted to race through the hospital looking for the thug and rip him into tiny pieces.
Before he could move, Tansy’s eyes flew open and locked on his. Her smile soothed him. Everything righted, and Sam moved to the side of the bed to take her hand and lean down to kiss her forehead. “Hey. How are you feeling?”
Graham stood. “I’m going to grab some coffee and see if I can find any off-duty doctors or nurses to chat up.”
Tansy smiled as he left. “I like your friend.”
Sam kissed her gently. “Me too. I like you more.” Her smile was the best thing he’d ever seen.
“I like you more, too. Is Howard in jail? What happened at the office? Are you in trouble for shooting him?”
Sam sat in the chair, kept his hand in hers. “He’s in an interview room waiting on a high-priced lawyer. And, no, I’m not in trouble. It was a clean shoot. Just a lot of paperwork. Tell me what the doctor said.”
Tansy searched his eyes. That she’d been worried about him and the fact that he’d fired his weapon made him smile. She was the one injured, but she was worried about him.
Even after he’d let her down. Before she answered his question, he squeezed her hand. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to stop them taking you, Tansy. I didn’t prepare properly for an underwater attack. There were so many easier ways they could get to you. I shouldn’t have dismissed it.”
She lifted her hand to brush over his lips. “Stop apologizing. It’s not your fault. It’s over because you figured out the tracking device. Graham filled me in on what happened. I don’t have any memory between doing Tai Chi and waking up when they threw a bucket of water in my face.”
Sam hadn’t even looked at what she was wearing, but now he realized her wet clothes were gone and she wore a hospital gown and was under the blankets. “Okay, enough stalling. What did the doctor say?”
She rolled her eyes. “We’re still waiting for x-ray results. The cuts have been cleaned and sterilized. There wasn’t any evidence of poison or rust.”
Sam lifted the blanket. “Mind if I look?”
When she gestured for him to go ahead, he gently pulled back the covers. Her legs were covered with gauze patches and medical tape. He eased the gown up. The cuts were all over her thighs and shins. “Sick bastard. He’ll pay. We’ll make sure he pays.”
Tansy squeezed his hand, trying to comfort him when she was the one who was injured. “They’ll heal. I’ll be fine.”
Sam grunted and ran his fingers gently over all the wounds. “I’m so damn sorry, Tansy.”
“It’s not your fault.”
Then why did his soul ache?
Tansy took his hand. “I love you, Sam.”
That produced a whole different kind of ache. This incredible woman not only didn’t blame him, she loved him. He could hear the truth and conviction in her voice.
And he returned the feelings completely.
Sam smiled. “I love you, too, Tansy.”
Maybe it was time to let go of the rest. Love was a hell of a starting point for the rest of his life.