When he finally breaks apart, we’re both breathless. Resting his forehead against mine, Jessen quietly asks, “Do I need to apologize?
“No. Not unless you’re sorry you kissed me.”
“Hell no. I’ve been dying to do that for hours. I just don’t want you to think that’s all I’m here for.”
“I don’t. And I’m not sorry you kissed me either.”
“I’m glad, because I’d like to do it again, but I don’t think this is either the time nor the place.”
Hugging the thought that he wants to kiss me again, I simply agree with him. Itisn’tthe time or place. We resume our walk back toward the car, and I’m in the middle of sharing a particularly funny story when that same creepy sensation of being watched I’ve been experiencing lately washes over me again.
Stopping, I slowly scan the beach, trying not to make it obvious.
“Everything okay?”
I shrug, not sure how to answer him. I don’t want to sound like a crackpot in front of this man, but this whole situation is really starting to weird me out.
A frown creases his brow. “Agatha, look at me.”
His words are more a command than a request, and I find myself unconsciously responding to the authority in his voice. Looking into his warm, chestnut brown eyes, I see concern reflected in their depths.
“It’s going to sound like I’m crazy, but I swear it feels like somebody’s watching me.”
“It doesn’t sound crazy in the least. In fact, we rely on those gut feels when we’re on a mission – it’s what keeps us alive. Anything appear out of place when you scanned the area?”
I shake my head. “That’s the thing, the reasonwhyI feel like I’m going nuts. I never see anyone, despite feeling like I’m being watched regularly.”
This time, instead of putting his hand on the small of my back, Jessen takes my hand. “Come on, we should probably be getting back to work anyway. That research isn’t going to do itself.”
By the time we reach the sidewalk, the feeling hasn’t abated. In fact, it seems more intense than ever. We’ve barely stepped onto the road when I hear a vehicle rev, the squeal of tires and, before my brain can even process what’s happened, a searing agony rips through me as I find myself airborne.
My last conscious thought is,fuck it’s going to hurt like a bitch when I hit the ground.
7
LUCKY
I’m checking for traffic as we step off the sidewalk when the screeching of tires has me whipping my head around. My heart about stops beating in my chest when I see a black car with dark tinted windows racing toward us, and I realize they’re going to hit Agatha.
The vehicle is so close I don’t even have time to shove her out of the way, and I watch in horror as it hits her. Her small body is no match for the big sedan. The impact flings her into the air like a ragdoll before the driver goes careening around a corner and out of sight.
Sprinting to try get the license, I swear a blue streak at only managing to catch a partial. I dash back to where Agatha’s lying so still I can’t even see if she’s breathing or not. I’m almost too scared to reach out and check for a pulse. I don’t remember ever being this afraid on any of my deployments.
I take a deep breath to settle myself, then lay two fingers on her neck, searching for a sign of life. Unaware I’d been holding the breath, I let it out in a rush when I feel a steady pulse beneath my fingers.
Not wanting to lose that affirmation of life, I continue to rest them there as I grab my phone out of my pocket with the other hand to call for help.
“Nine-one-one, what’s your emergency?”
“My friend’s been knocked over in a hit and run. I need an ambulance.”
“Certainly. Is your friend breathing?”
“Yeah, she’s breathing, pulse is steady, but she’s unmoving and unresponsive.”
“Any injuries you can see?”
“Other than some bleeding where she’s grazed her face, nothing obvious that I can see.”
