Page 95 of Blind Trust
Non timebo mala.
“I will fear no evil.” Her whisper came out shaky, but the words filled her soul with a steadying strength she knew was not her own. “The Lord is my Shepherd.”
“Lyla.” Nicolás was back. He walked toward her slowly. “The bomb squad is a few minutes out. I just need you to hold out a little longer. Can you do that?”
The Lord is my shepherd.Lyla nodded.I will fear no evil. She was certain there were more words to the verses, but for now that’s all she could cling to.
“I’m going to step back out and get ready.”
“Get ready?” Her knees nearly buckled. “You’re...you’re going to—”
“Be right here with you.”
Lyla wanted to tell him no, wanted to tell him to leave, but she was afraid if she tried to speak, she’d lose the last of her strength and then they’d both die.We both might die anyway. “The Lord is my shepherd.”
Nicolás nodded at her whisper. “Yes, he is.”
Lyla watched him leave and kept repeating the verse. She didn’t know how many minutes she stood there praying for her legs to keep her up, but soon the room was filled with bomb squad members wearing green body armor and helmets that made them look like they were going to space.
Nicolás was wearing the bomb gear too, and he looked at her through the protective shield. “I make this look good, don’t I?”
“Really?” Lyla said through gritted teeth. “Jokesnow?” Nicolás wiggled his brows, and she knew it was an attempt to keep her calm—and she loved him for it.Loved him. Nothing felt truer than that and...And of course I finally acknowledge my feelings for him when he’s standing next to a bomb. Who did she think she was? Sandra Bullock?
“While you consider my good looks, this is Jeremy.” Nicolás pointed to the man next to him. “He’s going to start working on the device, and I’m going to stay right here with you. Okay?”
“I d-don’t want you to die.”
“No one wants anyone to die.” Nicolás took a cautious step toward her and reached for her hand with his, the only part of him not protected from a blast. The warmth from his touch calmed her. “Just think of this as an exercise in patience.”
Adrenaline or shock was causing her teeth to rattle, and her jaw ached trying to stop it. “You know I-I don’t have patience.”
“Yes, I do.”
The sound of radio chatter echoed, and Lyla’s eyes moved to where Jeremy had slid open the lid of the device, revealing a bunch of wires. The trembling began again, and she knew she wasn’t going to be able to keep standing much longer.
“Lyla.” Nicolás squeezed her fingers, pulling her attention back to him. “Don’t look down there, look at me. I know I’m not as handsome as Kekoa, but I have really good cholesterol numbers.”
“What?” She gasped. “Why are you telling me about your cholesterol numbers?”
“Because I want you to know I’m going to be around for a long time.” His gaze deepened. “Just in case you’d consider having me around.”
Her heart beat against her ribs. “Nicolás—”
“Garcia.”
Nicolás turned to Jeremy, and she saw the subtle shake of his head, the look that caused her heart to slow down.
“Lyla”—Nicolás turned back to her—“I need you to listen to me. I have to look at the device, and I need you to stay perfectly still for me.”
34
Two seconds ago, the only thing Nic saw lighting Lyla’s blue-green eyes was fear, but now he saw trust. She released his hand and stood still. Nic moved to where Jeremy was and knelt next to him. The bomb technician had used tape and a magnet to bypass the sensor on the locking hinge to open the case, revealing wires, fuses, and an internal sensor panel.
Nic studied the wires, lights, and switches. It took a few minutes, but he realized he was staring at a trap. If he didn’t determine which of the components were sensors or which were pressure sensitive, it would lead to an explosion.
“Nicolás?”
He took a steadying breath and looked down at his hands.Lord, guide my hands to undo the work of evil. Protect us.Nic reached for the tools he needed and focused on the spring-loaded trigger.
