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She gave him a look, then shrugged.
“Poor Joseph Herbert, haven’t you been feeding him?” he asked.
She bit her lip when she returned to the phone. “Uh, no.”
“Is there anything else you haven’t been doing?” he asked.
“Oh God, Webb told you!”
“He did.”
“It was one time. We stayed on the property and we only drove for a short time. I promise to put my seatbelt on at all times from now on.”
“Make sure you do,” he warned. He couldn’t believe Webb had driven while she didn’t have her seatbelt on. He was going to hit him extra hard next time they were in the ring together.
“Wait,didWebb tell you?” she asked suspiciously.
“Nope. You did.”
She groaned. “That’s just mean.”
“Get into bed with Squeaks,” he commanded. “Lie down. That’s a good girl. Put the phone against my pillow.”
She shifted the phone around, then settled it so he could stare into her face. “Now, I’ll tell you a story. Close your eyes.”
As she closed her eyes, he spun a story about a warrior princess who needed her Daddy to take care of her and make sure that she didn’t put her health or safety in jeopardy. It didn’t take her long to slip into sleep. But he stayed on the line, watching her. To his surprise, she brought her thumb up and started sucking on it.
That was new.
But adorable. Just like her.
He needed to get back to her.
29
“Come on,” Webb told her. “They’ve just pulled up.”
She raced towards the elevator with him and they rode up to the garage level of the bunker. Just as they stepped in, the doors opened and the van that she’d traveled in to get here pulled in.
Eli jumped out. “He’s all right, Keira.”
So everyone kept saying. But she needed to see it with her own eyes. When he stepped out of the van, she nearly passed out.
A mix of relief and concern flooded her, making her head spin. She took a step forward, then another and another until she was in front of him. He was paler than normal and he almost had a full beard. Plus, his left arm was in a sling.
But he was here.
And alive.
“I’m all right, baby girl,” he soothed.
“I’m so glad you’re here. I was so scared.” But that could all wait until he was resting. “Come on, I’ll help you down to your bedroom.”
“My bedroom?” he asked sternly.
“I, um, yes. I thought you might be more comfortable there.”
“Have you moved your stuff to my room?” he asked.
