He continued to hold that hand, not wanting to lose the connection.
Her breathing became deep and steady.
Grant lay back, reveling in being so close to her after the two years she’d been gone from his life. For two years, he’d tried to forget her and had failed miserably. All the while, he’d worried about her safety, wondering when he’d get that call from his contact back in the FBI telling him she’d been discovered and killed as an example to others who’d dared to be disloyal to the organization.
Avery had survived.
She was back in his life for however long it might be. He’d have to make the most of it. If it was a second chance, he’d take it.
If not, he’d have to learn to live without her all over again.
* * *
Though Grant lay awake for a long time, he must have drifted off. He woke when the woman on the bed beside him moaned and thrashed in the sheets.
“Avery?” he whispered.
When she moaned again, he realized she was still asleep, possibly caught in a nightmare.
He reached out and gathered her close in his arms. “Hey, it’s okay. I’ve got you. You’re safe.” Wrapping his arms around her, he spooned her back to his front and held her close, pressing his lips to the drying tendrils of her hair, speaking soft, soothing words in a low, steady tone.
Avery settled back against him, laying her arm over his and pulling it closer to rest beneath her breasts. Her breathing steadied and grew slower and deeper as she sank into a deep sleep, free from the nightmares.
Afraid to move, Grant lay as still as possible, inhaling the scent of her shampoo and memorizing the feel of her soft skin against his.
If only he could freeze that moment in time.
It wasn’t an option.
A new day would dawn.
They had a job to do.
Feelings and hopes for the future had to go on hold until they caught the killer.
Chapter 10
Avery woke from the deepest sleep she could remember—other than the coma, of course. For the two years she’d been undercover, she’d slept lightly, waking at every noise, always wondering when someone in the syndicate would learn of her true identity and send a hitman out to take care of her betrayal.
Even after they’d exposed the Miami Elite for the criminal organization it was, jailing the key players and so many others within their ranks, Avery hadn’t been able to let go of that feeling of impending doom.
She suspected she had PTSD from living in that state for so long.
When she woke that morning in the hotel after spending the night with her ex-husband, she was surprised at how well-rested she felt.
Even so, she couldn’t get used to it. She’d divorced him and couldn’t expect to pick up where she’d left off before the divorce. It wasn’t fair to Grant. He deserved someone who wouldn’t push him away. Someone who would stand by him and be there for him every day. Avery couldn’t be that woman. She’d chosen her work over their marriage. He’d never trust her after that.
But for the next few days, he was back in her life, and it felt good. Almost too good.
She turned toward his side of the bed, words to that effect poised on her lips.
He wasn’t there.
She sat up, her heart rate rocketing into overdrive.
“Grant?” Avery called out.
When she got no response, she flung the sheets aside, leaped out of the bed and grabbed a pair of jeans out of the drawer. The bathroom door stood open, and the room was empty.
