It was the blood. There wasn’t even that much of it, but the sight of it had images ricocheting through Griffin’s mind. Seeing Laura crumpled on the floor brought back the ambush. The firefight. The searing pain in his broken femur as he carried Ace’s body down the rocky terrain.
This wasn’t the same. Griffin fought to push away the pictures. He carefully helped Laura to a sitting position, glad to see recognition creep across her chalk-white face.
Fear sharpened her pretty features. Eyes wide, she stared up at him. “Who just tried to kill me? Did you get them?”
Griffin shook his head. “I heard the noise in here and rushed to reach you. I only saw his shadow as he headed into the emergency stairwell. I headed straight for you, and Sydney went after the assailant. Did you see anything? Can you describe him?”
“No. He was behind me.”
“Did you notice anything about him? Cologne? Distinctive voice? Scars or tattoos?”
Laura thought hard. “There was something on his left wrist or hand. It might’ve been a tattoo. I don’t know. Everything happened so fast.”
The tattoo possibility was something at least, Griffin thought grimly.
“Laura?” Joy rushed into the ladies’ room, followed by Cheryl, the red-haired nurse. “What happened?”
“Are you all right?” The nurse moved closer, her gaze probing.
Laura struggled to stand and Griffin clasped her elbow to steady her. Once she was on her feet, he curled his hand lightly around her upper arm to make sure she stayed upright. She was still pale. And trembling.
Concern pinched Joy’s features as she looked her niece over. “What happened?”
“It was nothing.” Laura gave a wobbly smile. “I fainted and hit my head.”
“Knocked over the trash can,” Griffin added.
The last thing they needed was to draw attention to what had happened in here. That would bring hospital security at the least and maybe even OCPD. “She forgot to eat this morning.”
Beside him he felt her surprise, but she recovered quickly.
“Yes. I became light-headed and passed out.”
Her story was good and would hopefully minimize the scrutiny. Griffin saw the objection on Joy’s face and caught her gaze, hoping the older woman would understand to remain quiet. To his relief, she said nothing about the large morning meal they had all shared.
Cheryl’s brow furrowed. “Your neck is chafed and you’ve got a bump on your head.”
“I’ll have a headache and a bruise.” Laura touched the swelling at her hairline. “But I’m fine.”
The nurse looked skeptical but followed Laura out the restroom door. Laura reassured the redhead once more before the other woman left them.
As Laura turned to Joy, the stairwell door opened and Sydney rushed through. She was flushed, her dark hair pulled back in a ponytail.
She reached them, green eyes sparking with irritation. “Lost him in the parking lot.”
Joy speared all three of them with a stern look. “What really happened in there?”
Laura explained while Griffin stepped off to the side to speak with Sydney.
The brunette angled toward him, keeping him on her left in order to accommodate the hearing loss she’d sustained in a line-of-duty injury when she’d served as a sharpshooter on the SWAT team. Her gaze moved constantly over the area and its visitors.
“No sign of the assailant.”
Griffin shoved a hand through his hair, frowning at the sight of the swelling on Laura’s temple.
The man had slipped into the restroom, right past Griffin. What if he had arrived later? What if Laura had been hurt worse?
A greasy knot formed in his stomach. It wasn’t the same as what had happened in Afghanistan and if he quit right now, it never would be.
Sydney elbowed him, eyeing him with a certainty that said she knew he was blaming himself. “This isn’t your fault.”
“I think Boone should take over,” he said.
Joy and Laura walked up in time to hear him.
“Boone?” the older woman asked. She turned to Griffin. “Why do you think Boone should take over? Because that man managed to get to Laura in the ladies’ room?”
He nodded.
Laura shook her head. “But you got to me quickly. I’m fine.”
“See?” Sydney said quietly. “You’re the only one blaming you.”
Laura glanced from his coworker to him. “For what?”
Before Griffin could say anything, Sydney turned to Laura. “Would you like a different bodyguard? I’d be happy to step in. So would Boone.”
“No, I don’t want a new bodyguard. Why would I? Unless...” She looked at Griffin. “Do you have another client or another job?”
“No.”
She frowned. “Then do you have a problem with me?”
“No.” Griffin dragged a hand down his face. “Not at all.”
Sydney arched a brow as if to say “See?”
Laura stared up at him with confused blue eyes. “You probably aren’t used to babysitting someone. Is that the problem?”
“It’s not that.”
“Then what?”
“Like your aunt said, that guy slipped right past me,” he said through clenched teeth. “It shouldn’t have happened.”
“No, it shouldn’t have.”
Griffin mentally kicked himself.
“But,” she continued, “it’s not your fault that it did.”
Sydney nodded. “That’s right.”
Laura gazed up at him earnestly. “I’d prefer it if you would stay with me through the entire process, but it’s your decision.”
There was no blame in her eyes or her voice. No resentment, either. It took a second for Griff to process that.
She probably wanted him to continue because she was too shaken by the attack to realize she’d be better off without him.
“I know you can keep me safe.”
He wished he were half as sure as she sounded. “You do?”
“Yes.”
“All right, then.” He couldn’t deny the warmth he felt at her vote of confidence. “Let’s get back to my house.”
She hesitated. “No.”
“No?” Had she really just said that? Griff drew up short. “Why not?”
“I want to see my dad first.”
“Not after what just happened,” he said bluntly.
“This is the best time.”
“How do you figure?” He tempered his voice, cognizant of the people around them. “Didn’t you just say you wanted me to stay with you through this? That you thought I could keep you safe? The safest thing is to get out of here.”
“I don’t want to take a stupid risk and if you really think I am, I’ll leave. But whoever tried to hurt me is gone. And probably won’t try anything else today. Plus Sydney is here if you want or need any backup. I want to see my dad.” Her voice cracked. “I need to see him.”
Sydney had combed the hospital and grounds, looking for the assailant. There had been no sign of the guy. He was long gone.
“There might not be another chance,” Laura said quietly.
She had a point. Griffin didn’t like it, but Laura was right about this being the best time to see her father.
After the syringe incident last night and now this, it was plain that someone had tipped off Arrico to Laura’s presence. If they stayed here, Griff could observe any suspicious behavior, see if anyone hovered around or seemed too interested in Laura or her father. Especially Nurse Cheryl, who had been nearby after both attacks.
“All right, I agree. Under one condition.
“What?”
“If I say it’s time to go, then we go.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
He nodded. They were staying. And he was still Laura’s bodyguard. He hoped she didn’t regret her decision. He hoped he didn’t, either.
* * *
After agreeing to meet Aunt Joy and Sydney later at Griffin’s house, Laura and Griffin headed down the hall. Thank goodness he’d agreed to let her see her dad. Two attacks in the past two days told Laura she might not get another chance.
Griffin slid a look at her. “I’d really like to check out your neck and head.”
“They’re sore but I think fine.”
“No nausea or dizziness from your fall?”
“No. Not yet, anyway.” Laura hoped she wouldn’t suffer further ill effects. Time was short and her father didn’t need any delays.
Griffin searched her face. “You’ll let me know if anything changes? If your neck or your head gets worse?”
She nodded, stopping near the nurse’s station to leave her purse and coat in a visitor’s locker.
They reached her dad’s room and she paused, surprised at the flutter in her stomach that had nothing to do with what had just happened in the ladies’ room.
Griffin stopped, too. “Are you afraid he’ll be worse off than you imagine?”
“What if he doesn’t want to see me at all?” There, she’d said it. To a near stranger.
“I’m sure seeing you will make his day.”
Laura hoped so, but after what she’d done, she wasn’t so sure. Squaring her shoulders, she glanced up, surprised to see encouragement in his blue-green eyes.
She wanted to study his face. Instead, she turned toward the door to Nolan’s hospital room, saying a quick prayer that things would go well. “This could take a while. He might not be awake and I’d like to wait until he is.”
“I’ll be here, no matter how long it takes.”
“I appreciate that.”
He nodded.
She donned the required paper mask and gown, then pushed open the door and stepped inside. She was glad to see the drapes were partially open and light spilled into the room. Stopping at the foot of the bed, she grazed the knot at her hairline. Hopefully, it wasn’t noticeably swollen yet and her dad wouldn’t ask about it.
Nolan lay unmoving as he had last night and now Laura noticed things she hadn’t been close enough to see when she’d looked in on him. Dark circles beneath his eyes, the parchment-thin appearance of his skin. There were still a few threads of black hair sprinkled among the thick whiteness.
Overhead she heard the muffled thwump-thwump of a helicopter. The silence of the room was broken only by the hum of machines. Because she knew Griffin would allow no one to get past him, she addressed her father as she wanted. “Dad?”
He opened his eyes, fixing his filmy blue gaze on her for a moment before recognition flared. “Laura?”
His voice was tentative, as if he didn’t believe she was real. “Yes, it’s me,” she choked out.
Her heart beat hard in her chest and she realized her palms were clammy.
“I can’t believe you’re here.”
At his accusing tone, she stiffened, instantly defensive.
“Aunt Joy tracked me down. She told me you were ill.”
“And you came.”
“Yes.” Was he glad? Angry? She could tell nothing from his flat brittle voice.
He blinked slowly, almost as if he was too groggy to stay awake. Laura moved up the side of the bed. If he told her to leave, she wouldn’t do it. This might be her only chance—their only chance—to make any inroads. “I know this is probably the worst time to talk, but I really think we should.”
“We should.”
Relief flooded her.
Nolan peered hard at her. “What happened to your head?”
“Just bumped it. I’m fine.”
After a long moment, he labored out, “How did Joy find you?”
“She had someone track me down.”
“Someone from that agency of hers,” her father guessed.
“Yes.”
“Who?”
“Griffin Devaney.”
“Good man.” Nolan’s eyes fluttered as if it cost too much energy to keep them open, but he did. “Did you come so you could be tested as a donor?”
“Yes, and I’ve been cleared to be your donor, but that isn’t the only reason I came. I want to ask your forgiveness.”
“No.” He shifted on the bed, wincing.
Her heart sank, but she wasn’t leaving until she’d said what she needed to. “At least hear me out.”
“Not...what I meant.” Slowly, he lifted a hand and made a feeble gesture for her to come closer.
She moved up beside him, catching a faint whiff of his Old Spice aftershave mixed with the zing of antiseptic. His usually smiling face was haggard and wan, fatigue marking his mouth and eyes. The realization of just how ill he was shook her once more.
He grasped her hand, his grip weak. “I’m the one...who should...ask forgiveness.”
He seemed barely able to speak. Tears blurred her vision and she carefully squeezed his fingers.
“I never should’ve let you go,” he rasped.
“I left you.”
“Still, I should’ve kept trying to see you.” His voice grew faint.
“Don’t strain yourself. Let me do the talking, okay?”
“I...I have things to say, too.”
She smiled. “I know, but I don’t want you to overdo it.”
“Okay.”
“Even before I moved in with Vin, I knew how wrong things were between you and me. Knew it was my fault.” She found it encouraging that Nolan kept hold of her hand. “I’ve made so many mistakes.”
“So have I,” her father rasped.
After graduating from veterinarian school, she had stopped visiting him. He’d never approved of Vin and she’d needed a break from his constant criticism of her life. Still, Nolan had persisted in trying to see or talk to her. Things had been strained between them and the breaking point had come when she’d told him about her decision to move in with Vin.
Nolan had disowned her and she hadn’t seen him again until the trial a little over a year later. He had come every day and attempted to speak to her, but she had refused. Another mistake caused by resentment and stubborn pride.
He moved as if trying to sit up.
“No, Dad.” She pressed a hand to his shoulder, shocked to feel the sharp edges of his bones. “Stay still.”
He eased back onto the pillow. “I should’ve tried harder to get through to you, shouldn’t have let it go on as long as I did.”
“That’s on me. It wouldn’t have mattered how hard you tried. I was too ashamed and embarrassed about all the stupid things I’d done. About how right you were about Vin. I couldn’t face you.”
“I’m not proud of the way I behaved, either.” He drew in a deep breath, pain creasing his waxy features.
Growing concerned, she eased closer. “Is there something I can do to help you with the pain? More morphine?”
“No. If I take more, it will knock me out and I want to talk to you.”
She wanted the same. Who knew how many more chances they would have.
“I want to put things right between us,” he said. “But I know it won’t be easy. Can you forgive me for being so stubborn?”
This was more than she had hoped.
“Yes,” she said in a shaky voice. “I need your forgiveness, too. I was a foolish, stupid girl.”
“You’re still my girl and you always will be. I love you.”
“What I did was so wrong. You were right all along about everything.” She wiped at her eyes, giving a small laugh. “I bet you never thought you’d hear that.”
A ghost of a smile hovered on his lips. “I’ve missed you.”
“I acted like an idiot.”
“We both made mistakes, honey.”
Laura could hardly fathom her strict unbending father admitting to mistakes. Perhaps the years had softened him. Or maybe it was the disease ravaging his body. She wasn’t sure she deserved Nolan’s understanding, but she wanted it. Wanted to start fresh for whatever time they had left.
The burden of guilt and resentment and shame she’d been carrying rolled right off of her. Thank You, Lord. For his forgiveness and Yours.
He was fading fast. Laura bent over him. “It’s okay to sleep, Dad. I’ll be in town until the transplant is finished. We’ll be able to talk again.”
If Vin didn’t get to her first.
“My first filgrastim injection is tomorrow. I’ll stop by and see you again if I can.” She would have injections on five consecutive days. The drug would move more blood-forming cells from her bone marrow to her bloodstream in preparation for the donation. “Four days after that, I can make my donation and you can receive the transplant.”
Nolan was fighting drowsiness and he looked even more pallid than when she’d come in. “Laura, girl, I...”
The door opened and Laura turned to see a frowning Griffin enter with a stocky bald man. Both were wearing paper gowns and masks. A clerical collar showed beneath the other man’s protective garment.
Griffin’s gaze went over the visitor’s head to find Laura. “The pastor says Nolan is expecting him.”
The other man came toward her, hand extended. “I’ve already met your young man. I’m Rick Hughes, a chaplain on staff here.”
Laura doubted Griffin cared for the assumption that they were a couple, but like him, she wouldn’t correct the error. Warily polite, she shook the man’s hand. “I’m Laura Parker.”
“Rick, Laura’s my—” Nolan broke off, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment.
Laura held her breath and Griffin moved to stand beside her. She drew in his unique scent. He had instructed her and Joy to be careful about saying anything that might hint at the fact that they were related. Her dad knew this, too, but the medication lowered his guard. She hoped he didn’t blurt something out.
Nolan struggled to speak. “Laura’s my...donor.”
Relieved, she glanced at Griffin, who looked relieved, as well.
“That’s very generous of you.” The pastor walked to the opposite side of the bed. “I’ve been praying with Nolan’s sister, Joy. Maybe you’ll be the miracle he needs.”
“I hope so.” She relaxed slightly, but her bodyguard didn’t.
Instead, he eased closer, close enough that his arm brushed her shoulder, reassuring her.
After some quiet words to Nolan, Hughes glanced at Laura. “When do you start your injections?”
“Tomorrow,” Nolan answered for her. “She’s not wasting any time.”
Beside her she felt Griffin tense. “You seem to know a lot about the procedure.”
“One of my parishioners had it done about three years ago.”
“Do you make regular visits to this floor?” he asked the chaplain.
“If there are patients who request it, yes.” Hughes smiled. “Sometimes a doctor will ask me to drop in on someone. After that it’s up to the patient if they continue to see me.”
“So you see patients in other hospitals?” Griffin asked.
“Wherever I’m needed.”
“Have you been coming to OU Medical Center long?”
“Almost ten years.”
“And before that?”
“I was a missionary in Honduras.”
Laura frowned. It sounded as if Griffin was interrogating the man, although the pastor didn’t seem to mind. Was her protector bothered by something or was he just getting information?
Rick’s hazel eyes shone warmly at Laura. “How long have you known Nolan?”
Was the pastor making friendly conversation or fishing for information? Griffin must have wondered the same, because he shifted, putting his body slightly, protectively in front of her. “Several years,” she answered.
“Yes,” her father said weakly, still grasping her hand. “We’ve known each other a long time.”
Hughes nodded. “I met Nolan during his initial hospital stay after he was first diagnosed.”
“That was about nine months ago, wasn’t it?” Griffin asked.
“Yes.” Rick glanced at the patient, concern crossing his round features.
Laura checked her father. His eyes fluttered as he fought the effects of the painkiller.
She squeezed his hand. “We’ll let you rest now.”
She wasn’t sure he heard her, but he gave her fingers a light squeeze. When his hold went limp, she gently laid his hand on his chest and studied him for a moment.
Griffin cleared his throat and she realized he held the door open, waiting for her. She quietly walked outside followed by the chaplain and Griffin, who closed the door.
Rick Hughes walked a few yards with them, then stopped in front of another patient room. “I need to drop in on someone else. It was nice to meet you both. I’ll probably see you again if you visit Nolan.”
Griffin said nothing while Laura gave a noncommittal response.
“Please let me know if there’s anything I can do,” Rick offered.
He seemed sincere. “Thank you,” Laura said.
As she continued down the long hallway with Griffin, she noticed that he frequently glanced over his shoulder. They stopped to pick up her things, then made their way to the empty waiting area.
“Are you suspicious of the pastor?” she asked.
“Right now I’m suspicious of everyone.”
That was probably good, though the act of always being wary made her tired. She didn’t want to leave her father, but she didn’t want to take any chances, either. “Thanks again for letting me see him.”
He took her elbow to steer her toward the elevator and inside. Despite his relaxed appearance, energy pulsed from him. She had no doubt he could move in one flat second if necessary. Before the doors closed, his sharp gaze scanned the hall like a laser.
Seemingly satisfied that she was as secure as possible, Griffin turned to her. “How was Nolan before I came in with the chaplain?”
“Frail, but he was alert. We spoke for a few minutes.”
Hit all over again with just how fragile her father’s health was, her throat tightened.
Griffin frowned. “Your conversation didn’t go well?”
“It did.” She sniffed, looking into his steady sea-green eyes. “He said he was glad I came. He forgave me.”
“And you forgave him?” the former SEAL asked gruffly.
“Yes.” They really had made progress. Relief and astonishment and gratitude flooded her. She dabbed at the sudden tears in her eyes.
Griffin looked confused. “Isn’t that a good thing?”
“It’s very good.” She opened her purse, looking for a tissue. “Sorry.”
“Here.” A handkerchief with her aunt’s trademark embroidery appeared under her nose, small and delicate in his large sun-darkened hand.
She glanced up.
He smiled. “Your aunt has given one to all of us at Enigma.”
With a small laugh, she wiped her eyes. He flashed a half smile and her nerves shimmered in reaction.
Their gazes locked and something flickered in his eyes before they shuttered against her.
He glanced away. “Were you able to tell Nolan everything you wanted?”
“Yes,” she answered slowly. “I wish we’d had more time to talk, but the morphine makes him so groggy.”
“Did he apologize?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Crumpling the handkerchief in her hand, she tilted her head. “Why is that?”
He shrugged. “Maybe I don’t know the whole story, but from what I do know, it sounded as though he should.”
For some reason, his words warmed her. “Thanks.”
He nodded, searching her face.
She couldn’t seem to look away from him. His rugged appearance was in stark contrast to the kindness in his eyes. She couldn’t deny that she found him appealing. Very appealing.
She frowned at the unexpected, unwelcome realization.
“I’m not sure you’ll be able to see him again.”
Why had he said that? Because her father wouldn’t make it?
Or you might not, she reminded herself, gingerly touching the raw mark circling her throat.
“Coming here is too risky. This may have to be our last visit to the hospital.”
Her heart sank. At least she and Dad had started to put things right.
“Sorry. I just don’t know if it will be a good idea to stop and visit him when you go to the clinic for your injections. Enigma has a doctor on call. I’ll talk to her and see if she can come to my house to give you the injections.”
Enigma had its own doctor. Wow. From the information packet she had been given to read, Laura knew the middle three shots of filgrastim could be given anywhere, but she hadn’t considered Griffin might want to do it at his house. Having the doctor come there would restrict Laura’s movements even more.
Which meant she’d be spending a lot more time with the former SEAL.
“Looks like I’ll be taking further advantage of your hospitality.”
As manufactured as her life had been in WitSec, things had still seemed more simple before she met Griffin Devaney.
She liked him, but she wouldn’t be here long enough for that to matter. Even if she were out of WitSec and able to stay, these days she listened only to her head. She was all about smart, rational decisions.
And smart was not a six-foot-plus ex-SEAL with blue-green eyes and a slow grin.