Page 28 of Keeping Kara

“I think I’m a little shell-shocked. When we were in the water and the woods, time seemed to go by really slowly. But now? It’s racing by.”

“Yeah. Are you okay after…well, after seeing the doctor?”

She wrinkled her nose. “I’ll admit that wasn’t fun, but she was kind, and she explained everything she did before she did it. She warned me that it was unlikely there would be any evidence left, since I’d been in the water so long.”

Chaos hated to even think about this woman having to undergo a rape test. But it had been necessary. “You never know. Studies have shown that sometimes sperm can be detected up to seven days after ejaculation.”

For some reason, Kara’s lips twitched.

“That’s funny?” Chaos asked, confused.

“No. Not at all. But hearing you say ‘ejaculation’ just struck me as humorous.”

Chaos stared at her for a beat, then simply shook his head. “How about you see if any of this stuff that Edge brought fits. I’ll get you other stuff, better clothes, as soon as I can.”

Kara looked at the clothes piled next to her on the table, then at Chaos. “I…thanks.”

Chaos wanted to give her a hug—she looked like she needed a hug—but he was well aware that she probably didn’t want to be touched, not after the exam she’d just had to endure. Not to mention what Nolan had done to her.

But to his surprise, she looked up at him and said a little uncertainly, “If it’s okay…I mean, if you wouldn’t mind…” She held her arms out to her sides tentatively.

Chaos moved immediately, relief flowing through his body. He pulled her to her feet and wrapped his arms around her. They fit together perfectly. Chaos had one arm around her waist and the other at her upper back, holding her firmly but carefully. Her arms were even tighter around him. How long they stood like that, he had no idea, but all he knew was when they finally broke apart, it was too soon.

He looked at her and slowly brought a hand to her face. He smoothed her hair behind her ear. It was filthy and snarled, but at that moment, their personal hygiene hardly mattered. He was badly in need of a shower as well, but having her in his arms was way more important than anything else.

“I’m scared, Arrow,” she whispered.

He stiffened.

“Not of you!” she hurried to say. “Of him. I’m not an idiot, I know what those tally marks on his body probably mean. He wants to make me number eight, and I’m terrified he’s gonna figure out a way to make that happen. He’s not your typical psychopath. He’s not bad looking, and his personality wins over practically everyone. He hides his evilness so well. I didn’t suspect a thing! He has the ability to sweet-talk people into doing whatever he wants them to do.”

“I’m not trying to diminish your fear. But let’s just take things one day at a time. First, we get you out of Asheville. Feed you. Get you some clothes. Get you settled with a roof over your head. Get your strength back up. Then we can work on finding you a job and getting you back on your feet. By then, the detective will hopefully have some information we can use to keep you safe. Or he’ll let us know he’s found Nolan and arrested him. It’s not productive to stress over things you have no control over.”

She let out a long breath. “Yeah.”

“I will never tell you not to be afraid, because that’s ridiculous. I can’t make you feel or not feel something, but I can do everything in my power to lessen that feeling. To be by your side as you find your footing again. To have your six as you retake your power back.”

Kara looked at him, and the crazy connection he’d felt the first time he saw her returned tenfold.

“For some reason, when I’m around you, things don’t seem as scary.”

“Good. Now, how about you put on those clothes and we get the hell out of here?”

“Are you and your team allowed to leave? I mean, do you have to stay to continue to help? I’m sure there are lots of people still trapped and missing.”

“We were called in because we’re the best at flying in dangerous conditions. Now that the weather has cleared, there are plenty of other pilots who can do the searching.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. So let’s put as many miles as possible between us and this town…and possibly Nolan fucking Colins.”

She smiled then. “Yes, please.”

“So polite,” Chaos teased. Then he sobered. “I could see about getting a hotel room if you prefer, so we can both wash up and sleep before we head north.”

“No!”

The word was forceful—and a little panicked.