Page 32 of Protect Me

He leans in close.I want to memorize every line and curve of his handsome face for when I won’t see him every day.

“You amazed me every step of the way,” he says, pride in his voice.

I laugh.“I have to admit I amazed myself.Shows you what you can do when you have no other choice.”

“It shows you’re strong and resilient.”

I brush a hand down his scruffy cheek.“Maybe that’s because I had a protector I could rely on.”

“Or maybe it’s because you’re stronger than you think or give yourself credit for.”His smile reaches his eyes and warms my heart.“Talia—”

Whatever he is going to say is cut off by the ring of his cell phone.He straightens and reaches for the phone in his pocket.

“Landon.”

He listens, and his relaxed features morph into a frustrated frown.“Okay, yeah.I’ll be there.”He disconnects the call and meets my gaze.“Ian’s calling an emergency meeting.New client.”

“Okay.”I school my face into a mask of understanding, not wanting him to see the disappointment in my expression.

Not that I don’t understand.I’d be a hypocrite if I had a problem with him taking off for work.I just didn’t think our time together would come to such an abrupt end.Then again, I didn’t think about it at all.

Oh, I told myself it would happen, but feeling the separation is something different altogether.Still, I knew him leaving was inevitable.

“Thank Ian again for me.And you know where to bill me.”Although that helicopter is going to kill my budget.

Shane grins.“Don’t worry.I think I can get you the friends and family discount,” he says, as if reading my mind.

Friends.Well, it is as good as it is going to get between us now, I think.

He leans down and sweeps a kiss over my lips, lingering for too brief a time but long enough for me to inhale his scent and taste him once more.

He straightens and looks at me, his expression unreadable.“Can I call someone to take you home?”he asks.

I draw my tongue over my lips and give his question some thought.My brother is coming home tonight, and I don’t want to explain my situation to anyone.I could take a cab but…

“I don’t have my phone, and I used all my spare cash.Can you lend me some money for a cab?”I ask, feeling myself blush.I know anything I purchased while on the run, Ian will probably bill me for.

He frowns and pulls cash out of his wallet, handing me a good amount.“I’m sorry I have to bail on you.I wish—”

I reach out and place my hand over his mouth, silencing him.“It’s fine.I’mfine.”I smile, although my stomach is in knots.

A part of me wishes he’d just leave already and not draw out what is hurting me more than I imagined.I have an unexpected lump in my throat, and though I am the most independent woman I know, heading home alone after this adventure won’t be easy.A part of me is more shaken up than I want to admit to Shane.Or to myself.Maybe that is why he hasn’t asked for his Taser gun back.

“See you, Ms.Smarty-Pants,” he says, winks at me, then turns and walks through the curtain and out of my life.

***

Talia

Two weeks pass,during which I spent a lot of time repeating my story to the Dallas PD while they discover the fact that my company, Newton Laboratories, was directly involved in stopping the cure from getting to market.The conspiracy between them and a big pharmaceutical company who was willing to pay to keep the drug buried goes all the way up to the top, from my boss to the CEO of Newton.They all were working together with an agreement to share in the profits of the existing drugs treating the condition for the duration of a patient’s life.A much more lucrative proposition.I will have to testify if it comes to trial, but I am hoping the men involved will take a plea.

As for my own life, I am waiting to hear from Sheila on whether her company is going to get involved in bringing the cure to the FDA.Either way, I accepted a job offer and am due to start on the first of next month.Meanwhile, I have time on my hands.

And with that time come the inevitable thoughts about Shane and our days on the road.I haven’t heard from him and assume he is either on the job he was called away for or he moved on to another assignment.

Moved on from me.

And isn’t that what I wanted?Time alone to work?To enjoy my solitary life?But when have words likealoneandsolitarybothered me the way they do now?