Page 40 of Flynn

He just sent her a look that spoke volumes. “The man striding into the waiting room is far from being just someone uninvolved. He is very involved, and I am sure he will have much to say when he gets you all to himself.”

A shiver found its way up and down her spine. “I need to go home.”

“He is waiting to take you.” Rising, he pulled her up with him and against him as he hugged her fiercely. “Don’t frighten me like that again,” he said gruffly.

“I will try my best.” She hugged him back.

*****

But Michael was wrong. The drive from the hospital to her place was accomplished in absolute silence.

Aside from enquiring how she was feeling when he entered the room, he did not say anything else to her. She supposed it was his way of making her feel like utter crap, and it was working. She found herself wishing he would turn the music on to fill the silence in the vehicle.

But one look at his granite face warned her that saying anything would set him off. Settling back, she turned her head to stare out at the passenger side of the vehicle. The shock of being the victim or almost a victim of intended violence had not set in yet.

She refused to think about what had happened and had put it at the back of her mind for now. The roadway was slick and shiny from the rain that had fallen earlier to wash away the snow accumulated over the last two weeks. A glance at her watch showed it was almost eleven P.M., yet the traffic was still heavy.

Her eyes snapped open when he turned to take them to her neighborhood. She just wanted to sleep and try to forget what happened, but something told her that would not occur.

She was pushing the car door when he came around and opened it, taking her arm firmly. Securing the vehicle, he guided her up the steps and onto the porch, waiting until she had disengaged the alarm before pushing the door open.

“Would you like some tea?” His deep voice was scrupulously polite as if two strangers were meeting for the first time.

“Yes. Thanks.” she would have refused, but her stomach felt queasy, and the dizziness started.

“I will bring it up.”

“I don’t mind-”

“Go upstairs.” She saw the tight leash he had put on his temper, slipping slightly, and decided not to argue.

Without another word, she made her way up the stairs.

Flynn waited until she cleared the stairs before turning on his heels and entering the kitchen. His movements were jerky and uncoordinated as he filled the kettle and slammed it onto the grill.

When he received the call, he had been talking on the phone with an associate who was tying up a business deal. He had cut the man off without warning or apology.

At the hospital, he had felt the acute fear gnawing at him and the helpless rage surging through his body. She was still pursuing the son of a bitch, even though he had ordered her not to.

She was still trying to be a fricking hero at what cost? Dragging the cupboard door open, he took a selected mint and tore at the package. She could have been killed, had come close to being murdered, and all because she had some misguided notion that it was her duty to clean up the scum off the earth.

Turning off the flames, he poured the steaming water over the pouch and added a spoon of honey. He was so mad at her that he had no idea what to do and how to behave.

He put the cup on a tray and scrounged around for some saltines, added that, and went upstairs.

She was sitting up in bed with several pillows behind her. She had changed into a peach silk-colored nightgown, her hair bundled on her head. And she looked so vulnerable he almost forgot that he was hopping mad at her. Almost. Marching over, he placed the tray over her lap and moved away to sit on the sofa, facing the bed.

“You sound saltines.” picking up the cup, she blew on the tea and took a sip. “Thanks.”

He nodded curtly, bending down to remove his boots before stretching his feet.

Looking around for something to break the uncomfortable silence, she asked about work. The anger emanating from him could be felt all around the room, but she was not sure she could handle that right now. She was on the verge of tears and was determined not to cry in front of him.

“How was work?” she asked brightly as she picked up a biscuit and started nibbling.

Amber eyes stared at her for a few seconds, their golden gaze making her uncomfortable.

“You want to know about my day?” His voice was soft, deceptively so.