Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 140965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 140965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 705(@200wpm)___ 564(@250wpm)___ 470(@300wpm)
Shylah concentrated on removing the boots. Like her, he carried numerous weapons on him. She handed them to him without looking up. Each time his fingers brushed hers, a small wave of heat slid through her bloodstream.
“I’m going to lower the shades so it’s darker in here and if, later, we light the lamp, no one can see in.” She could tell his eyes hurt in spite of night falling. “Not that I think anyone’s out there. Most people avoid the station. There were poachers, but I made certain they left and didn’t come near this place again.”
“That surprises me.”
“What does?”
“That you engaged with them. You know better.”
She did. There was no reprimand in his voice, merely curiosity. He was so right. She was on an extremely important mission—one that had to succeed—and yet she’d done things outside the constraints of her job. She should never have exposed herself to the terrorists by diving into the river and saving Draden. She certainly shouldn’t have gone anywhere near the poachers. For one, they were dangerous.
“Did they see you? Did they know they were fighting a woman?”
“No.” She’d been careful not to be seen. “I wanted them to think the ranger was in residence, so they’d clear out. It worked.”
“How?”
“I made it clear I was using lethal force, that my bullets could kill. The poachers ran, but two were caught in traps. The others helped to free them and by the time they got into dense forest, they ran right into spiderwebs, great thick funnels of sticky silk. They had to wonder what kind of spider would weave a web of that size.”
A slow smile formed on his face and took every drop of air out of the room. “I wish I could have seen that.”
She hadn’t realized she’d been waiting for him to chastise her. Yell. Call her stupid the way Whitney always did. Instead, he looked as if he would have enjoyed watching the results of her little antics.
“I am enjoying seeing your antics,” he said, confirming he was also picking the images out of her mind. “Why did you choose to let the terrorists see you? That was a massive risk.”
She shrugged and told the truth. “You were magnificent.” She was dying anyway. She might as well tell him the truth. It might have embarrassed her for him to know how much she admired him at any other time, but it wouldn’t matter after they both were gone. “I’d never seen anyone like you before.”
He looked disappointed in her and it took a second for her to comprehend. He thought she was referring to his looks. Most of his life, he’d probably been judged on his looks.
“You went through that village like a ghost. A phantom. The coolest harbinger of death there ever was. Every time I blinked, it seemed you’d killed an enemy.” The words tumbled over one another as she explained. “You were a thing of absolute beauty. I watched with my heart in my throat and every single time you moved between sentries, I was certain you’d give yourself away, but you didn’t. They had no idea you were anywhere near them even when you slipped up behind them and I could see you.”
The tension slid out of Draden and he pulled his tee off with one hand. His belt was next. She held her breath a moment, but he didn’t go any further.
“I can’t believe you watched me the entire time and I didn’t spot you.”
There was admiration in his tone. Exhaustion. She studied his face. “Is the headache bad?” She sat on the edge of the bed and removed her shoes as well. “Let me see if I can help.”
“The Marburg and Ebola virus symptoms often start with a headache.”
Her stomach lurched. She didn’t want to hear that. “It’s too soon and in any case, this virus is manmade, designed by three very narcissistic men. It isn’t Marburg or Ebola. You got hit in the head and you’ve been running around like a maniac ever since.” She spoke with authority, although she had no idea how soon symptoms usually started.
“You’re right, but I haven’t slowed down at all, which means it could take hold faster—maybe,” he qualified. “It isn’t going to start like a normal virus; they injected me with a large dose. I’ve got it, Shylah.”
“Here.” Ignoring his declaration, she scooted to the top of the bed and sat, stretching out her legs. “Put your head in my lap. Zara sometimes got headaches and I’d rub her temples for her. This might help.”
Draden hesitated. “You do know I’m physically attracted to you.”
She did know. It was obvious. He wasn’t a small man and she could see the evidence. “I have to admit, I’m equally as attracted to you. What has that got to do with me soothing a headache?” Her heart pounded as she made the admission.