"Talk to me. What happened?"
Trying hard not to startle her, he worked his arms around until he surrounded her stiff body and clutched her tightly to his chest. He rested his chin on her head. Shudders continued to rack her, and he had no solution other than to hold her.
Something bad had gone down. This woman saved lives for a living, faced down death, yet here she sat, quietly going to pieces in his lap. Every inch of her radiated sheer terror.
The contained suffering tormented him more than loud weeping ever could. With a wince, he released his ability. It bubbled up and settled over the woman in his arms. He breathed easier.
He had to protect her. His soul required it.
Dramatic much?Vaughn, of all people, should know that emotions needed to stay out of this interaction. If he were smart, he'd keep any feelings tamped deep down. He had another life to return to back in New York. Entanglements in Copper River weren't part of his plan.
Also, his track record with women? Poor. Which was yet another reason...
He rubbed his cheek on her silky hair. Lots of stuff didn't fit into the plan.
According to the digital clock on the dash, another fifteen minutes passed in total silence. He let go of her long enough to turn the heat up in the idling vehicle. Then he cradled the side of her head with that same hand, easing her deeper into his chest. He stared at the falling snow the truck headlights illuminated.
Finally, her muscles went limp. He held still. After another few minutes, the shaking subsided.
He felt her deep, shuddering breath echo in his own lungs.
"Sorry." Did he mistake her whisper of sound?
"You're fine." His voice came out like sandpaper. "Take your time. We're in no hurry. Are you okay sitting here?"
A nod of her head against his chin.
When she turned so that her cold lips brushed over his neck, that tiny movement took him as close to heaven as a bastard like him could ever get.
He'd stay like this forever, if that was what she wanted. Sit in the sauna of the truck cab and sweat to death, if it meant she'd be warm enough. And safe enough.
Another ten minutes elapsed. The snow continued to fall in front of the truck's beams. Peaceful. Calm.
Everything Vaughn was not.
After another sigh, she rested a small hand on his forearm. "Thank you."
"Any time." What would a real man do right now? Hell if he knew. "Uh, want to talk about what happened? Did Linc do something in there?" It took concentration not to tighten his muscles.
"I guess. Um, those guys with the guns and being inside that dark house triggered a flashback."
"From what?"
She squeezed his arm. "From when I was a kid. Men with guns trapped me in a room while other people beat my brother."
Holy fuck.
