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He tugged her close again. Held her shoulders gently as he stared into her eyes. “You were a child, Alex. Forced out of your home by a mercenary monster of a mother and a slimy, evil predator. Whatever you did on the street, you did it to survive. You should be proud of your strength rather than guilty for doing what you had to do.” He drew her against him and inhaled her scent again. “As a lawyer, you should know better than most that there are very few absolutes when it comes to right and wrong.”
“I know,” she said quietly. “I couldn’t think about right and wrong back then. Survival was all I could focus on. But I still regret some of the things I had to do.”
“Because you’re a good person. A decent human being.” He held her for long minutes, reluctant to let her go. But finally he slid away from her. Stood up. “We should get ready for bed. We were on the road at two this morning, and you have to be exhausted. I know I am.”
Alex nodded. Stood up. “You mind if I use the bathroom first?”
“Not at all.” He watched as she grabbed her kit bag and the clothes she’d been sleeping in and shut the bathroom door behind her. While she was in there, he changed his clothes and grabbed his own kit bag. When she opened the bathroom door, they switched places.
When he came out of the bathroom, she was in the bed closest to the window, her back to the room. From the regular rise and fall of her chest, it looked as though she was asleep.
He wasn’t sure how to help her regain her balance. All he could do was get her to the compound, where she’d be safe. Her safety was his first priority.
He glanced at the clock. Nine p.m. They’d both be up early. They’d get a head start on making it to the compound.
But it was still dark when he jerked awake, startled by a noise. He lay frozen in bed, listening for it. Was someone trying to get into their room?
He heard it again, a quiet whimpering. Alex.
Sitting up, he swung his legs out of bed. Took two steps over to her bed and crouched beside it. She was on her side, facing him, but still asleep.
She was having a nightmare. Her legs thrashed, and her hands clenched into fists. “No!” she cried out, swinging one fist wildly, her expression terrified.
Oh, God. He should have thought of this. After reliving her harrowing days on the street, it was no surprise she’d have nightmares. He reached for her as she swung her fist again, and dodged what would have been a solid blow.
“Alex,” he murmured. “Wake up. You’re having a nightmare.”
She kicked wildly, entangling her feet in the sheet. Finally, holding her hands, he shook her gently. “Alex. Wake up,” he said, speaking more loudly.
Still asleep, she frowned. Tried to roll over, but he held onto her. “Alex,” he murmured again. “You’re safe. With me. Gideon,” he added quietly. “Wake up.”
She shot upright, eyes opening wide. “No!” she said. “Stay away.”
“Alex!” he said loudly. “Wake up!” He shook her shoulders gently. Brushed his fingers over her face. Her skin was silky soft, but too warm. “Please, bae,” he murmured. “Wake up.”
Her eyes fluttered open and she stared at him, her gaze unfocused. Wild.
“Me,” he said softly. “Gideon.”
She stared at him, unseeing, her eyelids only half-open. Blinked slowly, then struggled to focus on his face. Frowned. “Gideon? What’s wrong? Why are you awake?”
He brushed damp tendrils of hair away from her face. Tucked them behind her ear, then took her hands. “You were having a nightmare,” he said quietly. “You were yelling and you looked… scared.” It was the least dramatic word he could think of for her terrified expression.
She drew a deep, shuddering breath. Then another, holding his gaze while she calmed herself. Finally she sighed. Looked down at their joined hands and looked away. “Did I wake you up? I’m sorry.”
“No!” he said immediately. “I mean yes, you woke me up, but I’m glad you made enough noise to rouse me. No one should have to suffer from a nightmare alone.”
He cupped her hot cheek with one hand. “Want to talk?”
“The dream… Seattle.” She shook her head.
So either the nightmare at her house, or the one she’d faced as a homeless teen. “You think you can go back to sleep?”
She drew in a deep breath. Nodded. “Yeah. Thanks for waking me up.”
“Anytime, Alex.”
At the sound of her name, she stared up at him. Studied his eyes. “Did you call me ‘bae’ a few minutes ago?”
