Radclyffe - Honor Under Siege

Cam leaned against the doorjamb, pale and shivering.

“Rough run.

“Theres blood on your face and neck, Blair gasped, grasping Cams

shoulders. When Cam winced, Blair slid her arm down around

her waist. “What happened?

“Oh my God, Diane exclaimed from across the room. “Should I

cal an ambulance?

“No. Cam struggled not to cough. “I just need to sit down a

second.

“Put some cof ee on, would you, Di. Blair switched on a nearby table

lamp. “Im going to help her get cleaned up.

“Stark and Savard are on their way. I

need to

“Be quiet and let me look at you. Blair framed Cams face and studied her

eyes, some of her fear dissipating when she saw that they were

clear. She gently touched a jagged scrape along the right side of Cams

jaw. “Where else are you hurt?

“Bumps and bruises. Cam tried not to limp as she and Blair started

down the hal way to the bedroom. “Its not serious, baby.

“What happened? Blair repeated as soon as they were in the bedroom.

She quickly got two large towels from the bathroom and tossed them

onto the foot of the bed. Then she gently lifted Cams T-shirt and guided

it of over her head. After draping one of the towels around Cams

shoulders, she untied her sweatpants and eased them down and of .

“Oh, sweetheart.

Gently, she brushed her fingertips over the discolored, swol en areas on

Cams shoulder and hip. “You didnt fal .

“Somebody tried to run me down, Cam said, slowly making her way

to the bathroom. “I need to get a fast shower. Stark and Savard should

be here in a minute.

Blair turned on the water, her motions sharp and angry. She needed the

anger, because the thought of how much worse it might have been made

her want to scream. “Who was it? Did you see?

“No. Cam groaned softly as the hot water hit her rapidly stif ening

back and hips. “Couldnt see a thing except headlights.

“It was deliberate? Blair ran the towel through her hands over and over,

wanting

more than ever to hit something. To hurtno, annihilate whoever had

attempted to kil her lover, to take someone precious from her. The pain

of just thinking of it was so huge she shook.

“Yeah, I think

so.

“Oh sweetheart, Im sorry, Blair whispered. “If you hadnt been angry

with me, you wouldnt have gone

“Bul shit, Blair, Cam said mildly, stepping out of the shower and

accepting the towel Blair held out for her. “Baby, if it was anyones fault,

it was mine. I wasnt paying at ention, and whoever it was probably fol

owed me from here. I didnt have my weapon or my phone. Fucking

idiot. Roughly, she toweled her hair until it was dry enough for her to

finger comb it back out of her face. “Would you mind grabbing me

some jeans and a shirt.

“Here, Blair said a moment later. She helped Cam with the but ons and

zipper even though Cam didnt need her to, because she had to do

something, other than slam doors and swear. “Il get you some ibuprofen

too. From the looks of those bruises, youre going to be sore.

When Blair started to turn away, Cam gently caught her by the

shoulders and stopped her. “Im okay. Youve given me a worse

thumping in the training ring.

Blair turned in the circle of Cams arms. “I might have bloodied you,

but Ive never tried to hurt you. She rested her cheek against Cams

shoulder. “God, I cant believe someone tried to run you down. I shouldnt

have let you go.

“I shouldnt have gone. Im sorry.

“I was so pissed off at you for leaving. Blair was starting to

shake as her anger dissipated. “You beat me to it.

“Ill make a deal with you. The next time were pissed at

each

other, I wont walk if you wont.

Blair sighed and kissed Cams throat. “I guess I have to

agree, because I cant stand it when youre angry, and its

even worse when youre gone.

“Were going to have to talk about this with Stark and

Savard. Diane too, a little later.

Blair met Cams eyes. “Is this about Valerie?

“I dont know, baby. But we have to find out. She kissed

Blair careful y, slowly and tenderly. “Tonight was either a

warning or they were just sloppy. Either way, they made a

mistake. Were not waiting for whoevers out there to try again.

Cams eyes hardened. “Were going after them now.

* * * * *

Diane placed a cup of coffee on the end table next to Cam

and handed another cup to Blair. “Theres more in the kitchen for

when the others get here. Ill be in my room. Her eyes held an

apology as they met Blairs. “Let me know if you need anything.

“Wait! Blair caught up to Diane on the way to the guest

room. “Are you okay?

“Me? Diane shook her head. “Forget about me. Is Cam okay?

Are you?

“Shes banged up, but shell be fine. Blairs voice trembled and

she forced back a surge of anxiety. She squeezed Dianes hand. “I

just wasnt expecting this here. It shook me for a minute.

“A minute! Diane laughed shakily. “I thought I understood

what your life was like all these years, but I was wrong. Ive

always loved you for your spirit and courage. Now even more.

She lightly stroked Blairs cheek. “If I am the cause of any of

this because of my relationship with Valerie, Im leaving. You dont

deserve to have more pain in your life because of your friends.

“Diane, Blair said gently. “Shut

up. Diane paused. “Im serious.

“I know, and I love you for it. But youre not going anywhere

right now. Ill talk to you as soon as I can.

When she returned to the living room, Cam was just opening

the door to Paula and Renée. Blair guessed they had come

directly from their shopping trip, because Renées dark slacks,

pale yel ow blouse, and dark green blazer were clearly just out of

the package. Paula, in jeans and a navy crewneck sweater, looked

worried even before she zeroed in on Cam, and then her eyes

widened in alarm and she immediately pivoted toward Blair. “Are

you all right?

“Im fine. Just Cam was hurt. Blair stroked Cams arm, needing the

contact. “Someone tried to run her down.

“Do you have anything on the vehicle or driver? Renée asked

briskly.

“Nothing on either one, Cam said in disgust. “I was too busy

kissing the pavement. She sat on the sofa and gestured toward the

matching leather chairs opposite her. Blair set led beside her, and

Cam briefly squeezed her hand before fil ing Stark and Savard in on

the details of what had happened.

“Is there any chance you mightve been mistaken for someone else?

Savard asked.

Cam shook her head. “Doubtful. The streets were pret y empty because

of the weather, so I expect the vehicle fol owed me from here. Im tal er

than Blair and I wasnt wearing a hat, so my face and hair were

visible. Its unlikely anyone would mistake me for her.

“Even so, is there any specific reason that you think Ms. Powel

might have been a possible target? Stark asked careful y.

“None, other than al the usual reasons, Cam said grimly, pleased that

Starks focus was on Blair.

“What about yourself? Savard

interjected.

“Ordinarily, Cam said, “Id say no. But there are other factors at play

that you both need to be aware of. She shifted slightly and focused on

Stark. “I assume you know that Savard is on my OHS team now.

“Yes. Stark smiled fleetingly. “I think its

terrific.

“So do I. She shot a quick glance at Savard before turning again to