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A couple times out there, he’d been ready for her to lose it. Was ready to catch her and throw her over his shoulder if she passed out so they could keep going.
Or start screaming. He was beyond thankful her whimpering hadn’t grown to more than that. But God, how it had shattered his heart to pieces to see and hear her that way.
And then for her to have offered to give herself up to save him… Not that he was going to allow that. He would’ve knocked her out cold himself first.
He brushed her hair back as her eyes began to flutter, and her breathing became more labored.
“You’re okay, little librarian. Open your eyes. You’re safe.”
“Mark?”
“We’re back in the bus, not outside. It’s over.”
Those brown eyes blinked open. “I passed out.”
“You held on for a long time—handled the whole situation amazingly.”
“It doesn’t feel that way.”
He kissed her forehead. “You held it together, that’s what matters. We’re both alive.”
“Did I imagine Ian?”
“No, he and the Zodiac team showed up. I don’t know how or why, but I’m thankful. I’m sure Ian will be here in a minute. Do you want to be alone? I can leave to debrief with him.”
“No.” Her whisper was desperate, and she wrapped an arm around his ribs, locking them together. He stroked her spine, savoring the feeling of her slowly relaxing and bouncing back.
Savoring the fact that she wanted him here with her. Especially since there was nowhere else on the planet he would rather be.
He was falling in love with this woman. Everything about her. Her intelligence and her bravery. Her beauty and the way she smiled. The way her fingers were digging into the back of his shirt right now, keeping him close.
He didn’t care about her fear; all he cared about was that he could help make it better.
“Thank you,” she said. “For getting me out of there. Even though—”
“I’ll always get you out,” he said. “No matter what I have to do, no matter what my body is doing, or yours. If you need me, I will get you out or die trying.”
Her eyes went wide, like she could sense the true meaning behind his words, but she didn’t back away or tell him it was too much. She just searched his face, then pulled him close.
A knock at the door of the bus had them pulling away. Jenna’s breathing became rapid again.
Mark sat up. “We’re safe. It’s locked. It’s probably Ian.”
“Right,” she said, blowing out a breath. “Right.”
“I’ll go out and talk to him. You stay here and rest.”
“No,” she said. “I’ll be okay. Let him in. Give me a second to change clothes and brush my teeth, and then I’ll come out.”
Mark kissed her forehead then headed out to the front of the vehicle, closing the bedroom door behind him. He flipped on the monitor first to double-check it was Ian, then opened the door.
“Anybody else coming in?”
Ian shook his head. “Sarge and Landon are dealing with the bodies and law enforcement.”
Ian stepped inside, and Mark sealed the door behind him, entering the security code.
Ian’s face was hard. “You two all right?”
