Her Master Defender (The Masters Men Series) (20 page)

He took a deep breath with the memory. Jan’s words had cut him to the quick, but were nothing compared to what he’d called himself.

And you were both wrong
.

The oddly positive feedback from his inner voice brought him back to the present.

“Anyway, he must have contacted her when he got back. She was so in love with him she would have done whatever he said and not told anyone about him. His goal was probably to get information on where the Colonel sent me. When Garrett got that he wouldn’t have wanted any loose ends.”

“Who thinks like that?” she asked pushing out of his embrace.

“Evil men,” he said, reaching for his crutches so he wouldn’t pull her back in his arms.

“Well I’ve had about all of this man I can take.”

Dos levered himself up. Resting on the crutches he looked down at her. “Unfortunately, I can guarantee you he’s not done with us.”

Copper’s startled gaze found his. “What else could he possibly do? He has to know we’ve developed the film at this point. I’d think he’d cut his losses and run.”

Dos shook his head. “Garrett doesn’t back down or run. The film isn’t the only reason he’ll be coming now, though. Now he’ll be coming for revenge.”

“Isn’t that what this has been about all along? Revenge for you getting free?” she asked standing and opening the refrigerator again. He watched her pull out milk and butter. She must have noticed his curiosity. “I’m making you toast and milk. You need something on your stomach before you take medicine.”

He didn’t want to start an argument, so he let her fix the food. A piece of toast and glass of milk he could handle. They’d discuss the medication later. “To answer your question, no, this hasn’t been about revenge. It’s been about getting me back. Cardone doesn’t like having his possessions taken away.”

“You are not a possession.”

Her green eyes flashed with her declaration. It warmed his heart until he remembered he didn’t have one anymore. He’d given up feeling anything but pain and guilt a long time ago.

“To Cardone I’m nothing more than a guinea pig. A made to order guinea pig, to be exact.” Dos still wondered what the man had meant by that comment. “And at this point he’s pretty much right.”

“Stop it,” she said whirling from the counter to face him. “You are a man, a strong, intelligent, caring, and compassionate man. Not anyone’s guinea pig.”

“Whatever,” he said turning and making his way to the dining table. How the hell had they gotten on this topic? “That isn’t what this discussion was about.”

Why couldn’t she see him for what he was, a failure, a probably soon to die failure? All I need is a little wine for my pity party, he thought staring out the dark dining room window. When had he become such a wimp?

“I’m listening,” she said.

Dos looked at her reflection in the darkened glass. Her movements were sharp and quick, her mouth drawn in a tight line. She was pissed he didn’t agree with her, but he wasn’t going to defend his arguments anymore. Time to convince her she needs real protection. “Garrett knows who you are.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Ya think? He did break into my business and my home.

“I mean, he knows you’re the Colonel’s daughter.”

“And that matters because . . .”

“He knows I’ll do anything to protect you because of it.” It was true, just not the real reason Garrett would care.

She shook her head. “I don’t buy that. I’m sure he’s figured out who your brothers are by now. You would care more about them than me. Truth this time. What does my being the Colonel’s daughter have to do with this?”

God, she is definitely her father’s daughter. She never misses anything or lets it go. Why do I try? He stared at her refusing to answer.

She needs to know she’s a target, and not just because of you
.

He tried to ignore his conscience.

“Dos,” she said walking toward him. “Tell me.”

Copper soft and gentle was a force to be reckoned with. Copper in demand mode was undeniable.

She deserves to know. If you don’t answer she’s going to find out on her own. Remember what the Colonel said. Maybe if you do, it will scare her into staying hidden. Right, like Copper Kerrigan would let fear keep her out of the loop.

Dos let the debate continue in his head for a moment more. Copper’s intense concentration on him never eased.

“He hates your father and will gladly use you to cause him as much pain as possible. The Colonel passed Garrett over for his last two possible promotions. The first, a couple of years ago, went to me instead. The second was more recent and would have meant leading another team.”

“I’m sure Dad had valid reasons for not promoting him.”

“He did. Garrett doesn’t lead by example, but by force. He doesn’t care about earning someone’s respect; he demands it. Thinking a situation through is a waste of time, he prefers going in guns blazing.”

“Did Dad explain what he needed to do to get the promotions?”

Of course she would think explanations and support would work, she didn’t know the bastard. Trying to notch down his frustration with her need for answers he softened his tone. “Yeah, he’s lucky he didn’t get a dishonorable discharge for his reaction.” As the words left his lips an uncomfortable thought came to Dos. “Son-of-a-bitch!”

His hand slammed against the table where Copper had set a plate with toast.

Copper jumped at the sound. “What’s wrong?”

“I talked the Colonel into giving him another chance. If I hadn’t, none of this would be happening.”

Copper covered his hand on the table, but he pulled it away. “There is nothing wrong with trying to give someone a second chance. This is not your fault. He would have found a way to get his revenge even if he had been booted out.”

“But four men would still be alive. And you would be safe.” His voice low and deep she heard the agony he constantly felt for his part in Garrett’s treachery.

She decided not to push right now. Between his physical pain and his emotional pain words wouldn’t help. Standing she started toward the office to get the ice packs he’d left in there. “Eat your toast. Where are your real pain meds?”

“Aspirin’s in the top cabinet beside the sink.”

Copper turned back. He was not going to win this battle. “Real pain meds.”

He shook his head and tore a bite of toast off.

Returning to the table she stood beside him and waited until he looked up meeting her gaze. “You are in pain. You can try and hide it, you can even deny it, but I’m a nurse and I know the signs. You are exhausted. If I had to guess, I’d say you haven’t slept more than a few hours since we met yesterday, no make that two days ago now because it’s two a.m., Sunday morning.

“Now, you are going to take something and you are going to rest. There is nothing else to be done about this mess right now. You said we’re safe here.”

“Probably, but if someone gets through the system I need to have a clear head.”

She felt her eyes widen at his words. “Someone get through the system? You’ve got to be kidding. Knowing you, I’m sure you’ve got more than one back-up, so you are going to take something to ease the pain, help the swelling, and let you sleep.”

“I told you before I don’t sleep much,” he dropped her gaze.

“Because you dream?”

His head popped back up. The hard look in his eyes said he did not like his supposed weaknesses exposed. God save her from Alpha males. She sat back down.

“It wasn’t that hard to figure out after what you’ve told me. It isn’t weakness, Dos, it’s normal. But you need some serious rest. You’re probably so exhausted you won’t even have a dream.”

“There’s no such thing,” he told her.

“Then I’ll stay with you and wake you up if you start to have one.”

He watched her intently. His breathing was a little shallow. How bad were these dreams that they could have such effects just talking about them? When he broke the connection and looked out at the window she feared the battle was lost.

“Top shelf above the aspirin.”

Copper didn’t waste time wondering what changed his mind. She stood immediately and went to the cabinet. Pulling down two prescription bottles from the top shelf she noted one was for inflammation and one for pain. Both appeared to be full meaning he hadn’t taken any since he’d been home. Men and their damned macho gene. Tipping one of each into her hand she put the bottles back in the cabinet before getting a bottle of water from the fridge.

Dos stared at the pills on the table where she set them. He knew she was right. He needed some real sleep, or he wasn’t going to be worth shit if something happened. Still, once he’d left the hospital the strongest thing he’d put in his body, other than the strips that eased the spasms, was aspirin. The fear that his body would start to crave drugs, as it had after the weeks Cardone had plied him with so many, kept him from touching anything. He glanced toward Copper sitting patiently in her chair.

“This is it. I won’t take any more.”

“Okay,” she said nodding.

He believed her. For some reason he got the feeling she understood where he was coming from better than anyone had in a long time. As much as he didn’t want to face the dreams he knew would come, there was a more prevalent concern that had him still holding back from picking up the pills.

“You swear if anything happens, someone gets through the security, or calls, or anything you’ll wake me up.”

“I promise. I just hope no one calls too early.”

Dos watched her a moment longer then picked up the pills and tossed them in his mouth. Chasing them down with the last of the milk he grabbed his crutches and the bottle of water off the table. “I’m going to shower before this stuff kicks in.”

“Good idea,” she agreed. “Oh, I forgot to ask. What time does church start?”

Dos froze halfway to the bedroom. He looked back at her. “Don’t worry about it. We don’t have to go.” She aimed that damned thousand watt smile at him. He knew she had a comeback.

“Yeah, we do, unless of course you want your mother coming up again tomorrow. Remember, she knows where you live now.”

He ground his teeth together accepting the truth of her words.

“Nine,” he said as he started toward the bedroom.

While he got clean clothes he heard Copper gathering things in the bathroom. He could have worked around her developing things, but was glad he wouldn’t have to worry about knocking over a bottle of the chemicals. As he opened the bathroom door from the bedroom side he saw her exiting the other. “Thanks.”

“No problem,” she said turning. “I had to leave the ones hanging over the bathtub. I hope that won’t be a problem.”

Dos shook his head, glad he’d put a separate shower stall in. “No, I’m going to use the shower anyway.”

Twenty minutes later lying in his bed, Dos wondered if the drugs would ever kick in. He stared at the ceiling fighting the desire to reach over and pull Copper closer. Drugs and a shower hadn’t doused the desire he felt when she was near.

“You would go to sleep faster if you’d close your eyes,” she said softly from the pillow next to his.

“I doubt it.” Eyes closed or not he would still be aware of her. Her warmth, her fresh as flowers scent, both surrounded him.

The mattress dipped and then he felt her fingers guiding his eyelids down. “Try,” she whispered.

Dos couldn’t resist now that she was this close. He wrapped his arm around her so she couldn’t move away. Peace as he hadn’t known in years washed over him when she rested her head on his shoulder and snuggled up to his side. Her hand rested over his heart and he swore he felt calmness pulse from it. Desire was still there, but not as intense. He felt himself start to drift off. He hugged Copper tighter.

Copper felt his resistance to sleep as he pulled her even closer. “It’s okay, I’m here. Let it go,” she whispered. It was hard not to stroke her hand over his chest, but she feared that would lead to something he really didn’t need right now. Not that she didn’t want it, in fact she expected hours of longing once he fell asleep. She was too thankful he’d taken the meds though, and didn’t want to waste them. Her libido could wait.

She lay as still as possible giving the drugs, and her body heat, time to lull him to sleep. After a few minutes his hold eased. His breathing became even and his heart rate slowed. Copper allowed herself a small smile against his chest. She knew only too well how, even in sleep, his senses were always on alert. It was a major accomplishment to get a man like him to really relax. Now if she could just get her body to do the same.

After what seemed like a few minutes, but in reality had been over five hours, Copper woke to something vibrating in her pocket. Coming fully awake she remembered setting her cell phone alarm to vibrate so as not to disturb Dos. When she moved to pull the phone from her back pocket she realized they had switched positions. Now she lay on her back and he on his side with his arm around her waist. One of his heavy legs was covering both of hers making it difficult to even lift her butt enough to pull the phone out.

When she finally managed to reach the phone and turn it off, she chanced a glance to her right. Dark brown eyes watched her. Man, she could get lost in those eyes. She managed to turn on her side to face him fully. Big mistake she realized as his arm pulled her closer. His desire was obvious from more than the heat in his gaze. Her body responded in kind pressing against him reflexively trying to get closer.