Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 133531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 534(@250wpm)___ 445(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 534(@250wpm)___ 445(@300wpm)
“He’s a doctor, Rory,” Gideon said as gently as possible.
She was trying to make him understand she really didn’t mind. It wasn’t about being a martyr. She didn’t believe Paul should risk himself.
Put aside the fact that he’s needed, Gideon, and just look at what a good person he is. He’s kind and considerate. He’s a good man. He looks out for everyone. There isn’t a good enough reason to risk his life. I’m not in danger.
“That isn’t true, Rory. You are. At times, you can barely breathe.”
He opened my airways and gave me better medicine.
“Every time I think I couldn’t love you more, you say and do things that make me know why I fall harder every moment I’m with you.”
Rory glanced up at him from under the long dark reddish lashes with a look that made him feel like her white knight when he was anything but. Still, he’d take it.
“We’ll put that aside for now and let Paul talk to you about it.” He sank down on the bench beside her. “Do you want to discuss removing the shield you cloaked yourself with as a child? Paul can help you with that. At the same time he does, the rest of the team can prevent Whitney from finding you in a permanent way. You will remember your past, including the horrors of his experiments. You would have the memories of girls you grew up with. Rose remembers you. She’d like to become reacquainted with you. There isn’t any pressure, Red. If you never want to be part of the GhostWalker family with me, I’ll be fine as long as I have you in my life.”
The shield is already coming apart, Gideon. I’m remembering more and more. The nightmares are more persistent. The sensation of my skin peeling away has become worse, and now instead of just this odd crackling and tingling feeling, there’s real pain, as if the skin is ripping apart.
“Paul said you put the shield in place so long ago and you were so young that it became part of your physical makeup. That would explain the ripping and tearing sensation you’re feeling now. He would clarify it better than me, but it sounds as if the shield is pulling away from your skin.”
A visible shudder went through Rory, so Gideon put his arm around her and pulled her beneath his shoulder.
It sounds as if it will be very painful to shed it all the way.
“I’ll be with you, Rory.”
I’m not sure I want you to be. I don’t like you hurt. You do enough for everyone. I told you before, someone needs to look after you, and I want to be that someone.
His heart turned over. She could seriously melt it that easily. She made him feel things he hadn’t ever thought possible. He brushed a kiss on top of the thick pile of hair. “I’ll be with you regardless. I can’t seem to be away from you, Red. In any case, if you think you want to do it, we can ask Paul to talk with us about how best it can happen.”
Gideon hesitated. Rory seemed more comfortable with his teammates. During the time she was in bed recovering, they had done breathing sessions together. She hadn’t objected. Rhianna and Ethan had dropped by casually just to see if she needed them to sneak into her apartment building and bring her anything. Javier came every day. She hadn’t met all the team members, but she knew all of them had rushed out to look for her.
“How do you feel about the others helping us through Paul removing the shield?” Gideon did his best to sound casual.
I’ve been giving it a lot of thought. They’ve really done their best to help me. I thought it would be good to meet them. Maybe a couple at a time to see if I want to run for the next state.
“That’s not going to happen, Rory, not without me.” Gideon made it a decree.
21
Two days later, Gideon remained quiet while Paul talked to Rory about shedding the shield that had been with her since she’d escaped Whitney. He believed it would be better for her if she allowed the team to surround her. They would help with breathing and lock out any chance that when the shield fell completely, Whitney might get a glimpse she was alive.
There would be pain, and while Gideon would help control it, if there were others there, they could ease the discomfort as well. Rory didn’t want anyone else to suffer on her behalf. Gideon had known all along that would be her objection, but he stayed out of the discussion. Paul was patient and very gentle in the way he worded his facts. He didn’t come at Rory from the emotional place Gideon would have.