“I am.” Boone blew on his knuckles and rubbed them on his chest.
Why had Liam hired these knuckleheads? They were the best of the best, that’s why, but man, they could be ridiculous at times. But he trusted them with his life.
An idea popped into Liam’s mind. The cliché two birds, one stone had a whole new meaning. “Dax, relieve Rafe on watch and tell him our theory. Boone, Xander, gather the thin tarps from our packs. Create a small tent of sorts by draping them over the low-hanging tree branches.”
“I see where you’re going with this.” Xander picked up his pack. “Come on, Boone. Let’s get this done before all the light is gone.”
Liam’s team got to work. He prayed their little project would help Raven. Time to have a talk with her. He moved to her side and sat next to her. “Hey, there.”
“Hi.” Her voice shook, and her eyes darted around the area.
“I, um…” He chuckled. “Maybe I should hide behind the tree and talk to you through our comms.”
A smile curved her lips before it disappeared. “It is weird to be face-to-face.”
“Phew. Glad I’m not the only one who thinks that.”
Raven snorted.
He loved the fact that he could take her mind off her fears, even if only for a moment.
“What are they doing?” She jutted her chin at the men.
“Well, that’s what I came over to discuss with you.” He drummed his fingers on his leg.
Her shoulders drooped. “Go ahead, Liam, ask your questions.”
“We’ve observed your discomfort. Those men abducted you and tied you to a pole in a hut, but something more seems to be affecting you.” He debated whether or not to just blurt it out. “Dax seems to think you have…” Liam blew out a breath.
“Agoraphobia. I didn’t want you to know, but you all are too observant.”
He tilted his head and studied her. “So, you never leave your house?”
She shook her head. “It’s not like that. Well, not exactly. I hate leaving my house. It ramps up my anxiety. I can sit outside. I can go for walks, but I try to stay away from situations that make me feel trapped.”
“So not like on TV?” He smirked.
“They have it somewhat right, but they tend to show the extreme.” She shrugged. “Like everything, there are levels. I’m not that severe. Most people aren’t. Plus, I’ve been working on it, that’s why I’m in Mexico.”
Liam picked up a leaf and twirled it. “Boone has another observation.”
Raven’s gaze dropped to the jungle floor. “What’s that?”
“That you also have noctiphobia.”
She jerked and twisted to face him. She hissed and grabbed her ribs. “Remind me not to do that.”
“Hey, Raven, don’t move so fast. It’ll hurt.”
Her lip twitched. “Smarty pants.”
“So, is it true?” He asked.
“Kinda. It’s not an official diagnosis. The label comes from those popular phobia lists. I have an anxiety disorder that happens to be triggered by nighttime. Weird. I know.” She wiped a tear that escaped. “I’m a mess.”
Liam sat up straight. “No, you aren’t. So you have a few fears.”
“Phobias and fears are different.”
