Drake Sisters 07 - Hidden Currents

held her. His fingers were icy cold and he was shaking nearly uncontrol ably. She halted, not because he was stronger—his hands were gentle—but because he didn’t want her out of his sight. One big advantage of having him wrapped so tightly in her mind was that she could feel his emotions as if they were her own.
    â€œStay with me, baby. Get under the blanket and get me warm.â€
    He was so cold. Icy cold. Deep inside where his soul should be, he was icy. She rol ed beneath the blanket and over the top of his body, aware of Jonas and Ilya bringing in Abbey and Libby. Jackson’s arms went around her and held her tight against his naked form. “I didn’t mean it, El e.
    I’m sorry I said it.â€
    â€œI need you,†she whispered against his ear, ashamed, aware of the ice cold of the wide expanse of skin covering hard muscle. “I’ve never needed anyone. I should choose you because I want to be with you, not because of a legacy, or because I was raped and beaten. I shouldn’t need you so desperately.â€
    His arms tightened around her so hard he nearly drove the air from her lungs. “Do you think I don’t know need? I need you, El e, just to survive intact. You’ve known that from the beginning and it’s part of what made you run. You knew I’d hold you too tight and the thought of a short leash was something you couldn’t live with. I know need. Just let it be. Whatever it is between us, for now, let it be.â€
    The uncontrol able shaking was lessening and he was beginning to be more aware of his surroundings, of Bomber alerting to strangers outside in the yard, of Ilya depositing Sarah on the couch and covering her with a blanket.
    â€œIlya,†he cal ed. “Get us into the other room before the circus starts.â€
    Ilya hesitated, glanced toward the paramedics rushing up the path and leaned down to help El e and Jackson to their feet. He simply lifted El e off her feet and half carried Jackson with his other arm, taking them to the bedroom.
    â€œYou should let them examine you,†Ilya cautioned Jackson. “Both of you. El e’s covered in blood.â€
    â€œYou know it’s a psychic bleed,†El e said. “What could they do other than give me a brain scan and tel us what we already know?â€
    Ilya swore and put her on the bed, steadying Jackson with one arm. “You certain you’re al right?â€
    â€œGet us some tea,†Jackson said, and col apsed next to El e.
    Ilya covered him with blankets. “Your body heat wil warm him faster than anything, El e,†he said. “I’l bring in hot water bottles as soon as possible as wel as tea. Give me a minute.â€
    â€œShut the door,†Jackson cal ed after him, signaling his dog to the bed. Bomber climbed up and lay against his side while El e lay on top of him.
    â€œThank you for saving Hannah.â€
    â€œThere’s never been a rip current there, El e. Never.â€
    â€œI know.†She nuzzled his throat. He smel ed of the sea, a comforting scent in spite of the near tragic incident. “It was him . Stavros.â€
    His hand slid over her back to the nape of her neck, his fingers doing a slow massage as he turned her conclusions over in his mind. She was grateful he didn’t just dismiss them as paranoid hysteria. She kept rubbing his arms and chest trying to warm him. Between her, the dog and the blankets, he was coming back fast. His mind had gone from sluggish to sharp almost before his body responded. She found she could breathe easier, some of the tension leaving her.
    â€œYou think he attacked Hannah? How would he have found you so fast? It’s possible, even probable, that he wil find you, but not this fast. How could he?â€
    â€œBribe someone maybe?â€
    â€œOne of our team? I doubt it. It could happen, but it’s doubtful.â€
    There was speculation in his voice and she could feel his mind working quickly, processing and discarding names of the men who’d aided them.
    Al good friends. Al men he’d gone into combat with. Men he had risked his life for many times. “Maybe,†he repeated, but this time she felt the doubt in his mind.
    El e didn’t say anything, but her body shuddered, just once. She doubted if he could feel it with al the shivering his body was doing, but his fingers continued that soothing, rhythmic