Page 73 of Shallow Remains

The universe had a twisted sense of humor. Spending time with her was something he’d dreamed about for years. Getting the chance now was a bittersweet, double-edged sword. “Sure, I’ll let you know the dates and what’s being covered in each course. It’s great that you’re joining us, by the way. Your medical background will be a huge asset.”

“Well. We’ll see how I do with the training. Might just end up being an on-call volunteer.”

“No, I mean it.”

“You’ve already got Emma, the best charge nurse this island’s ever seen.”

“You’re a doctor,” he said.

She gave him a wry smile. “I don’t think my diagnostic radiology expertise is gonna be much help to you in the field.” She looked away. “Let me know about the courses. Drive safe.”

“You too.” He walked to his truck, consciously releasing the tension in his muscles that seeing her always caused. When he climbed into the cab, Lachlan was shifting around in his seat as if he couldn’t get comfortable. “Want some ibuprofen?”

“Yeah, I’ll take a couple.”

His immediate acceptance of meds said it all.

Grey took a bottle out of the center console and handed him two extra strength tablets. “You need to get checked out?”

Lachlan took a swig from his water bottle to wash down the pills. “Nah, I’m good. I’ll just soak in the hot tub a while when I get home.”

He nodded and started the engine, watching through the rain as Naya’s vehicle turned onto the road and started for town. Back to her empty house, all alone. Fuck. “Anything from Maddy?”

“It’s late. She’s gonna stay the night at Blaine’s.” He sounded fine with it.

Grey eased his truck onto the road, the red glow of Chris’s taillights visible ahead through the gloom. “Things are going good between you?”

“Yeah. Last night she even told me what happened to her in Syria.”

“Did she?” Sounded big.

“It’s fucked up. Some guy she worked with over there made it seem like he was into her, then sold her out to the enemy and had her captured. They waterboarded her to get her to talk.”

THIRTY-SEVEN

“What the fuck?” Grey said into the stunned silence following Lachlan’s words. They’d done that to Maddy? It was like waterboarding a defenseless kitten. Fucking evil cowards.

“I know. Good thing they were all KIA. I get why she’s gun shy with men though. Anyone would be after something like that.”

“No shit. How did she get out?”

“Blaine put a team together and mounted a rescue. That’s why they’re so close.”

Ah. He’d wondered what the story was there. “Makes sense. So you’re…together now?”

“Technically. We haven’t had a conversation about it yet though.”

He shot a glance at his brother. Maddy was the first woman he’d been into since Katherine died. “But you want to be with her,” he said, seeking clarification.

“Yeah. It’s just…” Lachlan sighed. “I don’t know how long she’s planning to be here, and I’m still trying to find my way back to the place where I’m ready to risk getting into another relationship.”

Sounded like a bunch of weak-ass excuses to him. “What are you worried about?” There had to be more to it than that.

He shrugged. “That she won’t want to stay. Or that Skelly will become like a prison if she does, and that she’ll hate it eventually. And hate me too.”

Grey gave a tight shake of his head, frustrated that his brother was allowing the past to fuck with his present and future. Lachlan could downplay his feelings for Maddy all he wanted, but it was still insulting. Who did he think he was talking to? “You’re not done punishing yourself yet?”

Lachlan shot him a hard look. “Excuse me?”