“Yes,” her father said weakly, still grasping her hand. “We’ve known each other a long time.”
Hughes nodded. “I met Nolan during his initial hospital stay after he was first diagnosed.”
“That was about nine months ago, wasn’t it?” Griffin asked.
“Yes.” Rick glanced at the patient, concern crossing his round features.
Laura checked her father. His eyes fluttered as he fought the effects of the painkiller.
She squeezed his hand. “We’ll let you rest now.”
She wasn’t sure he heard her, but he gave her fingers a light squeeze. When his hold went limp, she gently laid his hand on his chest and studied him for a moment.
Griffin cleared his throat and she realized he held the door open, waiting for her. She quietly walked outside followed by the chaplain and Griffin, who closed the door.
Rick Hughes walked a few yards with them, then stopped in front of another patient room. “I need to drop in on someone else. It was nice to meet you both. I’ll probably see you again if you visit Nolan.”
Griffin said nothing while Laura gave a noncommittal response.
“Please let me know if there’s anything I can do,” Rick offered.
He seemed sincere. “Thank you,” Laura said.
As she continued down the long hallway with Griffin, she noticed that he frequently glanced over his shoulder. They stopped to pick up her things, then made their way to the empty waiting area.
“Are you suspicious of the pastor?” she asked.
“Right now I’m suspicious of everyone.”
That was probably good, though the act of always being wary made her tired. She didn’t want to leave her father, but she didn’t want to take any chances, either. “Thanks again for letting me see him.”
He took her elbow to steer her toward the elevator and inside. Despite his relaxed appearance, energy pulsed from him. She had no doubt he could move in one flat second if necessary. Before the doors closed, his sharp gaze scanned the hall like a laser.
Seemingly satisfied that she was as secure as possible, Griffin turned to her. “How was Nolan before I came in with the chaplain?”
“Frail, but he was alert. We spoke for a few minutes.”
Hit all over again with just how fragile her father’s health was, her throat tightened.
Griffin frowned. “Your conversation didn’t go well?”
“It did.” She sniffed, looking into his steady sea-green eyes. “He said he was glad I came. He forgave me.”
“And you forgave him?” the former SEAL asked gruffly.
“Yes.” They really had made progress. Relief and astonishment and gratitude flooded her. She dabbed at the sudden tears in her eyes.
Griffin looked confused. “Isn’t that a good thing?”
“It’s very good.” She opened her purse, looking for a tissue. “Sorry.”
“Here.” A handkerchief with her aunt’s trademark embroidery appeared under her nose, small and delicate in his large sun-darkened hand.
She glanced up.
He smiled. “Your aunt has given one to all of us at Enigma.”
With a small laugh, she wiped her eyes. He flashed a half smile and her nerves shimmered in reaction.
Their gazes locked and something flickered in his eyes before they shuttered against her.
He glanced away. “Were you able to tell Nolan everything you wanted?”
“Yes,” she answered slowly. “I wish we’d had more time to talk, but the morphine makes him so groggy.”
“Did he apologize?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Crumpling the handkerchief in her hand, she tilted her head. “Why is that?”
He shrugged. “Maybe I don’t know the whole story, but from what I do know, it sounded as though he should.”
For some reason, his words warmed her. “Thanks.”
He nodded, searching her face.
She couldn’t seem to look away from him. His rugged appearance was in stark contrast to the kindness in his eyes. She couldn’t deny that she found him appealing. Very appealing.
She frowned at the unexpected, unwelcome realization.
“I’m not sure you’ll be able to see him again.”
Why had he said that? Because her father wouldn’t make it?
Or you might not, she reminded herself, gingerly touching the raw mark circling her throat.
“Coming here is too risky. This may have to be our last visit to the hospital.”
Her heart sank. At least she and Dad had started to put things right.
“Sorry. I just don’t know if it will be a good idea to stop and visit him when you go to the clinic for your injections. Enigma has a doctor on call. I’ll talk to her and see if she can come to my house to give you the injections.”
Enigma had its own doctor. Wow. From the information packet she had been given to read, Laura knew the middle three shots of filgrastim could be given anywhere, but she hadn’t considered Griffin might want to do it at his house. Having the doctor come there would restrict Laura’s movements even more.
Which meant she’d be spending a lot more time with the former SEAL.
“Looks like I’ll be taking further advantage of your hospitality.”
As manufactured as her life had been in WitSec, things had still seemed more simple before she met Griffin Devaney.
She liked him, but she wouldn’t be here long enough for that to matter. Even if she were out of WitSec and able to stay, these days she listened only to her head. She was all about smart, rational decisions.
And smart was not a six-foot-plus ex-SEAL with blue-green eyes and a slow grin.
Things had gone okay for the rest of their stay at the hospital. Still, Griffin didn’t breathe easy until he and Laura were back at his house late that afternoon. The assailant had gotten past him. He was rattled and that angry red mark circling her neck didn’t help.
He still wasn’t sure if remaining as her bodyguard was the right call, but he’d agreed. He wouldn’t go back on his word. And she wouldn’t be attacked again, no matter what he had to do.
On the ride home, he had asked several random questions in an attempt to determine if she had suffered a concussion. She didn’t appear to have one. Now she sat at his kitchen table, her features drawn and tired. The knot at her hairline was now swollen to the size of a quarter and starting to turn blue.
Joy was on her way here with Boone Winslow, who was standing in for Sydney this evening. Opening his first-aid kit, Griffin took out a tube of antibiotic ointment and uncapped it. He started to give the medicine to Laura, but she looked completely done in.
He squeezed some ointment onto a cotton swab and leaned down, gently tipping her head to the side. “I’ll try not to hurt you.”
“I’m not worried.” She gave him a faint smile.
As lightly as possible, he dabbed the ointment on the vicious-looking