Page 38 of His Other Half

"Don't." His voice raked over gravel. "You shouldn't be here."

"I am here." She moved closer, cupping his jaw and turning him toward her. "Your friends are worried about you."

His check muscle fluttered. She leaned toward him. Always strong and stubborn, he trembled.

The crack in his armor made her want to be strong for him. He could depend on her.

He'd already done more for her than anyone in her life. It was her turn to help him.

"I'm worried about you," she whispered.

"I can't deal with you..." His mouth tightened. "I need to find her."

"Find who? I can help?"

"Nobody can help." He opened the drawer and scooped out the silverware. "I need to find where they took her."

A sinking feeling settled in her stomach. He talked about a female? Who was she?

"Okay. I'll help." She looked toward the living room, raising her brows in question to the others.

They had to see that Paco was not in his right frame of mind. She sought answers from Rick, and he shook his head. They were clueless about the situation.

Taking the knives from his hands, she said, "What am I looking for?"

"A piece of paper or mail. Maybe there's an address."

"Okay." She opened another drawer.

There was nothing in it but a deck of playing cards and a bottle opener with a gas station's name on the side. Pacifying him until he calmed and could explain what was going on, she glanced at him.

He kept looking at her and frowning. For several minutes, they worked together, searching every nook. She'd saved two bowls from breaking when he grew frustrated and stopped him when he reached the drinking glasses.

"Paco?"

"What?"

"Can we stop for a few minutes and talk?"

"Can't stop. Never stop." He stepped on a plate. The glass broke under his barefoot.

She grabbed him, sliding her arms around him. He jerked but settled in her embrace.

"Can you hold me?" she asked.

His arms went around her, and he slid his fingers through her hair. Wanting him to calm, she pressed her ear to his bare chest. His heart beat wildly. Afraid he'd hurt himself, she needed to distract him.

"I'll stay with you for as long as you need me." She rubbed his bare back. "I'm not going to leave you alone."

His overheated skin warmed her. He'd worked himself up until he acted irrationally. There was nothing in the kitchen cupboards. Going by the way the Tarkio members were reacting, they'd sensed something was off with him, too.

Paco didn't even look right to her. Unlike her, he'd never panicked or gone crazy with worry. He always came across confident and brave.

She hated seeing him like that. It was like consoling a stranger.

A stranger that reeked of alcohol, smoke, and sweat. She held on tighter, wanting to put him back together the way she remembered.

"Josie?" He fisted her hair and pulled her head back. "You're here?"