“The cave. Will it be okay for Patrick?”
At his first words, she’d had an immediate vision of Lassiter leaning naked above her. “Oh, the cave.” She nodded quickly. “Yes. It’s fine. And we weren’t gone all that long. Only a couple hours.”
“It seemed longer.”
It hadn’t seemed long to Margaret. It had been a wild period of complete erotic pleasure. She could still feel the sensation of Lassiter moving in her body. Crazy.
And addictive.
She wanted him back again.
Lassiter had been right: Sex had never been that important to her. It had taken a long time to heal from that rape she’d undergone when she was twelve. She’d been lucky that she’d still been living in the woods and could see all aspects of sex in nature around her. Gradually, she had realized that this was just another wound that would heal if she didn’t hold it close, but released the pain and not let it poison her. After that she had accepted the pleasure of sex as she did everything around her that was full of joy. But she’d had no trouble walking away, and she would never have risked initiating it if it might have proved troublesome or a danger.
Yet she’d had trouble walking away today in circumstances that were definitely troublesome. Lassiter. It had been because it was Lassiter. And the knowledge that he was what made it different was an additional danger to her.
“Margaret?” Cambry was gazing at her, puzzled. “Problems? It’s going to be okay. Everything is in high gear. I guess Lassiter told you that he was heading into the rain forest to try to recruit the Estefan group to help out? Mandell stopped by and told me what was happening and that he’d be sticking close.”
“Yes, he told me.” She glanced at Patrick. “I told him we’d take care of everything here.” She moved over to the bed and stood looking down at Patrick. He did look better. She only prayed he’d stay that way.
He’s not going away. I can keep him here.
She glanced down at Juno on the floor beside the bed. I know you can. But it may be hard for a while.
He’s not like her. She couldn’t stay with me. But I can keep him.
I’m sure she’ll be happy if you do.
I know. Juno laid her head down on her paws again. So he will not go away.
Margaret reached out and gently touched Patrick’s hand. “Did you hear that?” she whispered. “Juno’s trying to tell us something. Now you pay attention to her.”
“You’re … Margaret.” Patrick hadn’t opened his eyes and his voice was weak. “Don’t … understand.”
“You will.” Her hand tightened on his. “You’ve got all kinds of friends in your corner. All you have to do is hang on and let us do the hard work. I’ll be here for you, if it matters.”
“It … matters.” His lids slowly lifted. “Lassiter? Did he get them out of the detention camp? He has to do it. Right away. It … can’t wait.”
“Lassiter knows that’s what you want. He’s working on it.”
“It can’t … wait. Nicos is—crazy. Don’t want my freedom—to be reason for—”
“Shh.” He was becoming agitated and his breathing was beginning to be labored. “They’ll be safe. Soon. Very soon. First on the list. I’ll see to it.” She met and held his gaze. “I promise you. I keep my promises, Patrick.”
He held her gaze for an instant longer and then his lids fluttered closed. “Then … do … it.”
He was asleep again.
She drew a deep breath and stepped away from the bed.
Cambry gave a low whistle. “I’d say that Lassiter made the right choice to get moving on getting those prisoners out right away.”
She nodded. “Patrick’s really upset about it. In his present condition, he can’t afford that.”
“Well, he seemed to believe you when you made that promise.”
“Because I was telling the truth. I’ll do whatever I can to get them out.” She made a face. “With or without Carlos Estefan.” She turned toward the door. “But right now I’m going back to that closet they call a bedroom to wash up and change clothes. Then I want to talk to the doctor. Lassiter said he said noon tomorrow, but Patrick’s getting better all the time. Maybe he’ll let him go sooner. I’ll see you later, Cambry.”
He glanced at Juno. “Oh, we’ll be here. I’m having trouble getting my buddy here to take bathroom breaks.”
Because Juno knows that Patrick needs her in a very special way, Margaret thought as she started down the hall. It was one of the beautiful things about life that love could sense and furnish what was needed. Maybe that was why she had heard Juno calling her that night when there was no way she should have been able to do it. Perhaps there was a purpose that had brought her to Patrick at this time when the need was so very crucial.
“Margaret?”
She stopped as she saw Mandell coming down the hall toward her. “I just came from Patrick. He’s looking much better, but he went back to sleep, if you’re here to check on him.”
He shook his head. “I looked in on him earlier. I wanted to see you. I just saw Lassiter off in that rackety truck that belongs to the monastery, and he bent my ear telling me all the precautions I should take with you while he was gone.” His lips twisted. “I came to make sure we’re on the same page. You keep your phone with you at all times. You let me know if you’re going to be anywhere but in your room or with Patrick.”
“Where else would I be? I promised that I’d take care of Patrick.”
“I’m just making certain that everything’s clear. I’m new at this bodyguard crap.”
“Bodyguard?” She shook her head. “You’re responsible for everything going on here. I should be the least of your worries.”
“That’s not the impression I got from Lassiter. So keep me informed twenty-four/seven or I’ll have to bunk in your room.” He grinned. “And I guarantee that the good monks won’t like that one bit, since they look askance at me anyway. I have to keep on their good side as much as I can.”
She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t like it, but I’ll do it. I’m not used to this bodyguard crap, either.” She looked down at the automatic pistol in the holster at his belt. “But the monks might be better disposed toward you if you didn’t wear that inside the monastery.”
He shook his head. “I can’t buy approval by being something I’m not. You’re here; Patrick’s here. I’m not going to show up with a prayer book.” He turned and moved back toward the front entrance. “If you hear from Lassiter before I do, let me know.”
“I will. Though don’t count on it.”
“Hmm, really? Then I’ll let you know. He said he’d try to contact me before he started back and give me the word if we’re going to have to go it alone at the detention camp.”