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Something sharp ripped through Reed’s gut, and he nearly doubled over with the pain. Guilt. Guilt and regret sliced through him. Oh God, Sierra. He’d been responsible for the death of her baby. He hadn’t been able to forgive himself when it happened, not truly, no matter how much people told him it wasn’t his fault, that it was a sad repercussion of doing his job. But now that he knew her, knew how much she’d lost, the guilt was unbearable.
What to do now? A shiver racked his body, and for the first time he noticed he was still completely nude. As if on auto-pilot, Reed grabbed a pair of jeans from his closet and an old sweater from a drawer and dragged them on.
Sierra emerged from the ensuite bathroom, avoiding his gaze as she skirted around the bed and out the door.
“Sierra, wait. We need to talk about this.”
But she quickened her pace, rushing down the hallway.
He couldn’t let her go, not like this. Running after her, he managed to grab hold of her arm just as she reached the front door.
“Let go of me,” she snarled, whirling around, her face a mask of fear and rage. “Don’t touch me.”
He let go as if she’d burned him, and she flung the door open and ran out of the flat, her long legs taking her around the corner and out of his sight. Where was she going? She had no car. He went to run after her, but stopped after only a few strides. That look on her face. She despised him. Hated him.
There was nothing he could do to help this. Not right now, not until she calmed down.
He thought about Penny and his unborn son, and the words, if you let yourself love someone, you’re bound to get hurt, churned around in his head. Sierra had just proven those words correct, yet again. Not that he was in love with the woman, but even the idea he might be falling for her should be warning enough for him to step away. It was a reminder not to get too involved.
His phone buzzed from the table inside, and he hung his head. He was already late for work. Lifting his head, he stared in the direction Sierra had disappeared. If he couldn’t help her right now, then he may as well expend his energy on finding the lost girl. Dive back into work headfirst. Perhaps that would help to ease the terrible tight band around his chest. The one that was threatening to choke off all his air.
