“But you did, and you’re leaving again. Aren’t you?”
“I have to finish the mission. Lives are at stake.”
Today this mission, tomorrow, another cause. Just like her father, Reid wouldn’t walk away from duty. She snatched her hand away. “You should go.”
“Lauren, I can’t leave with you angry. I didn’t plan this.”
The stain glass blurred. A time traveler? She hadn’t seen that coming. He was leaving her for a mission. Just like it had been with her dad, she didn’t have a place in Reid’s life. She couldn’t go through that again. As she forced herself to meet his gaze, she defied a stab of pain so sharp it made her shake. “Don’t look for me here or anywhere else. Stay away from me.”
“You have a right to be upset.”
“Don’t tell me what I have a right to be. I’m not some toy you can throw away and leave behind when you’re done with it. Just go! I mean it. I want you out of my life. Forever.”
He sucked in a breath as if she’d struck him. His expression turned neutral. “Fine. If that’s what you want.” In a shower of golden light, he disappeared.
It wasn’t a crazy, mixed-up dream. He was really gone. Air conditioning added to the numbness chilling her to the bone. She hugged herself, shivering, hurting, wanting to scream at the world. A time traveler? Was Thane one, too? Did Celine know?
“Excuse me. Ms. Blake?” A middle-aged version of Jenny walked into the chapel. “The nurse said I might find you here. My name is Kate. I’m Jenny’s mom.”
Lauren stood. “You made it. I know Jenny’s happy you’re here. How is she?”
Bumps, bruises, and a cast on her leg. That’s it.” Kate’s eyes grew wet. “She’s alive thanks to you and your boyfriend. If you two hadn’t have been there, we would have lost her.” Jenny’s mom sobbed as Lauren hugged her tight.
Lauren recalled the car starting to slide down the incline with Jenny trapped inside and Reid on top it. For a moment, she’d thought they weren’t going to make it, and then…
“You’re heroes.” Kate swiped away tears. “That’s what I told the police. Where’s your boyfriend? I wanted to thank him, too.”
“Reid?” She forced lightness. “He had somewhere to go.”
“I hope I get to meet him.” Kate laughed. “Jenny’s still woozy from the anesthesia. She keeps telling everyone a wonderful, shiny angel flew her out of the car.”
The glow. Jenny had noticed it, too. “I’m glad he was there.”
“So am I.” Kate’s face brightened further with a tremulous smile. “He saved my baby.” She squeezed Lauren’s hand. “You’re lucky to have a guy so brave and selfless. He’s rare. Hold onto him.”
Lauren’s throat grew tight. This is what Reid gives people. He’d given Kate her daughter and Jenny another chance at life.
Kate’s smile faltered. “Are you okay? You’re pale.”
“I guess it just hit me.” She faked a relaxed expression. “I’m fine.”
Kate squeezed Lauren’s hand. “Tell him thank you for me. I should get back to Jenny.” She gave Lauren another hug and left.
Lauren sank to the seat. Her heart ached. The things she’d said to him. She’d lashed out at him in selfishness, fear. She’d even compared him to her father in the worst way. She hadn’t considered Reid or her father serving a greater good. Only how she’d felt.
The door to the chapel opened.
She searched her purse for a tissue. Whoever came in would think she had a good reason to cry. Stupidity didn’t fit as a qualification.
“Here.” The impeccably dressed man from the waiting room held out a white handkerchief. The intensity of his gaze, one blue eye, the other brown, startled her. His handsome features had an unnerving, ethereal quality.
“No, thank you.” She rifled through her purse. “I have tissues someplace.”
The man sat beside her on the pew, almost invading her space. “Why are you crying?”
How rude. Didn’t he know better than to ask that type of question in a hospital? She scooted away. “I’d rather not talk about it.”
He placed his arm behind her on the back of the pew and slid closer.
A cloying, acrid scent like roses and burning cloves assaulted her senses.
“Don’t you like talking about your boyfriend?” A harsh grin turned the perfection of his face into a mask of pure malevolence. “I’d like to hear all about him.”
Lauren curled her fingers around the stun gun. Her heartbeat pushed out of her chest. One push to his hip or torso should take him down. She whipped it out.
He disappeared.
Where did he go? Pain exploded in the back of her head. The world tunneled into darkness.
Lauren peeled her eyelids open. She was lying on the backseat of a car. Her head pounded. A cloth gag robbed moisture from her mouth. Fear and sweat trickled down her spine.