Page 75 of Keep Me Safe
The cold rain numbed my aching body as I followed the wall away from the road. There was no evidence of civilization here in the forest, except for the stacked stones someone had put there long ago. Only the quiet raindrops and earthy smell of damp leaves.
A large oak provided shelter from the worst of the rain. I curled up beneath it, the lumpy roots uncomfortable and making it impossible to lie down.
I leaned back against the trunk and surrendered to my exhaustion.
28
SHAWN
The rideback to Munich was a blur. When had it become day? I’d phoned my CIO at home and woke him, asking for the number of his best person in networking. Since the email came into an Osterhägen server, we’d start there.
I’d also forwarded the email to Ethan, who gave a vague statement about sending it to their technology department. The struggle against the irrational, possessive desire to not share the image of Kara in her underwear with a bunch of strangers was something I pushed aside.
When we neared the gate to the brewery, Ethan asked to get out. “There’s going to be press.” He unbuckled his seat belt and pushed the door open. “I’ll be in touch.”
It left me alone with my brother to face the blackened building and scorched lawn. I stared out the window as he navigated the car through the throng of reporters who were using my damaged brewery as their backdrop.
“She’s still alive,” Jason said, his voice quiet. “Focus on that. You know she’s tough. She puts up with you.”
I couldn’t even manage a smile. “I’ll shower and get changed and meet you at the safe house,” I said when we pulled alongside my Audi.
“Be careful.”
“You, too.”
Security followed me home. They said they’d remain in the lobby for me because I’d told them I’d only be a few minutes. It wasn’t until I was alone in the elevator that I allowed myself to experience the panic I’d been holding at bay.
Kara.
I should be thinking about my company, but all I could do was think about her, and the man who’d put the bruise on her cheek.
I’d fucking kill Juric if I got the chance.
I swore out loud when the key in the front door gave me trouble. And once again when I saw what waited for me, propped against a box in my nearly empty living space.
A large, elegant frame wrapped around a stunning black and white picture. The only color was the blue bow draped across a corner of the frame, signifying this was a gift. A birthday present she’d intended for me to see after the party. Artwork for my bare walls.
I put a hand on the counter to steady myself as I gazed at the photograph that captured it so perfectly.
My brewery.
It made me ache. When I got her back, I was never going to let her go.
29
KARA
A pairof hands seized my shoulders, startling me awake, and I reeled around. It was impossible to tell how much time had passed, but it was growing dark outside. The rain had stopped.
My breath halted painfully as Juric came into focus. His blue eyes were only an inch away from my face, but he looked different. Maybe even worried. Was I delirious?
“Can you stand up for me?” His tone was so gentle, it was disorienting.
I tried to get up, but my body was as stiff as the tree I leaned against. A voice that sounded like mine spoke, but it was odd and detached. “I’m thirsty.”
“I’ve got water in the car.” He straightened and peered over his shoulder, speaking nonsense.
Wait, no. That was Italian. Who was he talking to?
