Page 48 of Keeping Kara

“You’re welcome.”

She snuggled more securely into him, curling her legs up. Chaos reached behind him and grabbed the blanket draped along the back of the oversized bag, pulling it over her and tucking her in.

“Is the rain still bothering you?”

“No.”

“You sure?”

“Uh-huh. Not with you here.”

Again, she was blowing him away with every word out of her mouth. He moved before he thought about what he was doing, kissing the top of her head. “Sleep, Kara. I’ve got you.”

In response, she burrowed even more firmly into him and nodded. Within what seemed like seconds, she was asleep.

The responsibility he felt to look over this woman, to take care of her physically and mentally, wasn’t something Chaos was used to, but he was more than up to the task. She’d been deeply traumatized, and he’d be damned if the monster who hurt her would touch one hair on her head ever again.

Making a mental note to call Detective Blackwood in the morning, Chaos closed his eyes. Content in the knowledge that for right now, Kara was safe.

* * *

A phone ringing woke Chaos. It took a beat for him to remember the events of the night before and where he was. Looking down, he saw Kara still lying in his arms in the large beanbag in his living room. They’d both slept through the night. Their limbs were intertwined, and they were as close as two people could get.

It felt…right.

The ringing started up again, and Chaos sighed. He leaned up a little, reaching back for the phone still in his pocket. His ass hurt where it had dug into him all night, but he wasn’t complaining. Having Kara sleep in his arms was worth any discomfort he might have this morning.

She stirred, obviously awakened by his movements. “What time is it?”

“Seven.” He was as surprised as Kara seemed to be, if her widening eyes were any indication. He never slept this late, but since it was the weekend and he didn’t have to be in for PT, and they’d worked late the night before, he knew Casper or his other friends weren’t calling, wondering where the hell he was.

Looking at the screen, Chaos didn’t recognize the number, but he didn’t hesitate to answer it since the caller ID said Asheville Police Department.

“Chaos.”

“Is this Arrow Porter?”

“Speaking. Who is this?”

“Blackwood. I’m the detective working on Ms. Guthrie’s case. I have news, and I don’t have her number. I’m calling to see if you have it, so I can get in touch with her.”

“She’s actually here with me.”

“Great. If you could put her on.”

“No.”

“No?”

“No,” Chaos confirmed. “I’m assuming since it’s seven in the morning, the news you have is big, and she had a very rough night. If necessary, I’d like to filter whatever it is you’re calling to tell her, in a way that will make it easier for her to take.”

He could feel Kara’s gaze on him, and when he looked at her, was relieved she didn’t seem upset about anything he’d said.

“Look, I understand that you’re protective. That you were the one to pull her out of that flood. But this is her case, and I have to talk to her.”

Chaos was impressed the detective wasn’t giving in so easily. Even though it was what he wanted, he actually would’ve been pissed if the man was misogynistic enough to agree to talk to him without Kara’s say-so. “Hang on,” he told Blackwood, before clicking the mute button so he could talk to Kara without being overheard.

“It’s the detective. He says he has news, but you heard me, I’d like to find out what it is before you’re burdened with it,” Chaos told her.