Неизвестный - 06. Honor Under Siege

“What’s our cover story?”

“We’re telling them it was a DEA surveillance operation and the engine on one of the boats caught fire. All personnel evacuated to another vessel, and there were no casualties. Because of the ‘sensitive nature’ of the operation, we can’t provide any further details.”

Renée grinned and pulled on dry jeans. “Nice. Your idea?”

Paula flushed. “Yeah.”

“I never knew you were so sneaky.” Renée found a dark green cable-knit sweater and pulled it over her head. Then she wrapped her arms around Paula’s shoulders and kissed her. “I’ll have to remember that in the future.”

“I didn’t want you to discover all my tricks before you were in too deep to escape me.”

“Oh, you needn’t worry,” Renée murmured. “There’s no chance of me going anywhere.”

Blair jerked awake and bolted upright. Cam was no longer lying next to her but sat with her legs dangling over the side of the bed.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Blair asked sharply.

“I want to check on Valerie.”

“Get back in bed, Cameron.” They were alone. A fire burned vigorously in the fireplace, throwing a hot red glow throughout the room. Blair gripped Cam’s wrist. “I mean it—and I’m not in the mood to argue.”

Cam, nude except for the sheet bunched at her waist, shifted to look down at Blair. “Just for a second. I only need—”

“You need some decent rest and to recover from nearly drowning out there.” Blair grasped her shoulders. “You don’t get it, do you? You’re not indestructible. And you won’t be any good to them, any of them, if you’re too weak or injured to function. If you don’t care about me, think about them.”

Cam blinked, her face registering her shock. “You think I don’t care about you? Is that what you think?” Gently, she tangled her fingers in Blair’s hair and kissed her, softly, first her mouth, then the angle of her jaw, then her eyes. “I thought Valerie was dead. I thought I was dying, too. But I knew I couldn’t, because of you. You’re all I thought about. You’re everything I live for.”

“Don’t.” Blair pulled Cam down on top of her and drew the covers over them. She caressed Cam’s back with both hands, slowly stroking the sleek skin and elegant curve of muscle and bone. “Don’t try to melt my heart. It’s not going to work this time.”

“All right,” Cam said softly. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for frightening you.” She kissed Blair’s neck and settled her head on Blair’s shoulder. “I couldn’t let her die, Blair.”

“No,” Blair whispered. “Of course you couldn’t.” She sighed. “What happened to Henry?”

“He’s dead. I ordered Donaldson to take him out.”

Blair stiffened. “Are you all right?”

“It had to be done. The boat was about to go up and he was in danger of shooting—”

“Darling, you don’t have to explain that to me. If you gave the order, it was the right thing to do.”

“You believe in me that much?”

“More.” Blair cupped Cam’s jaw. “I trust your judgment, just like all of them do. I can only imagine what it takes for you to make those decisions and give those orders, and maybe everyone else needs to believe that it’s easy for you to do, but I know differently.” She cupped Cam’s chin, tilted her head up, and kissed her firmly but gently on the mouth. “If you hurt, I want to know. If you need a shoulder, I have one for you. I can’t be on the front line the way you are, but I’m part of this fight just the same.”

“Thank you,” Cam whispered. “I’ve never understood more clearly than I did tonight that you are my strength.”

Silence ensued, then Blair said with a sigh, “Five minutes, Cameron.”

“What?” Cam said.

“You can see Valerie for five minutes.”

Cam stirred, raising herself on her elbow to study Blair’s face. “Why?”

“Because you won’t rest until you do, and because the others need to see that you’re all right. As wonderful as each of them may be, you are the force that holds them together.” Blair pushed the covers aside. “Let’s get up. I’ll help you dress.”

Diane finished settling a log on the fire and turned at the sound of the door slowly opening. Absently she cinched the sash on her robe.

“We didn’t knock because we didn’t want to wake her,” Blair whispered as she and Cam stepped inside.

“That’s all right. It’s good to see you.” Diane touched Cam’s arm. “Are you all right?”

“Fine. How’s she doing?” Cam asked quietly. She wore old khakis and a sweatshirt, and loosely clasped Blair’s hand.

“I’m not sure,” Diane admitted, pushing her hair away from her face. “She’s still asleep.”

“Diane?” Valerie muttered, twisting from side to side and dislodging the blankets that covered her. “Diane?”

“I’m here, darling,” Diane said and hurried to the bed. She leaned down and stroked Valerie’s face. “Everything is all right. You’re safe now.”

Valerie opened her eyes and after a few seconds appeared to focus. “Am I really in bed?”

Diane smiled. “You most definitely are.”

“I’m almost warm.”

“Yes,” Diane whispered, her voice breaking as the tears she hadn’t had the time or luxury of shedding finally filled her eyes. “You’re going to be fine.”

“Is everyone all right?”

Diane glanced over her shoulder. “Cam? Maybe you should talk to her for a second.”

Cam joined Diane by the bed. “Hi. Bit of a rough ride out there. Everyone’s fine, but you had quite a swim.”

A smile flickered across Valerie’s face. “I remember some of it. Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“Henry…” Valerie frowned. “Henry.” She closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them, they were clearer. “I don’t think he knew what was coming.”

“No,” Cam agreed.

“He didn’t set me up tonight at least,” Valerie said faintly. She held Cam’s gaze. “Thanks for getting me out of there.”

“I’m sorry about Hen—”

“No, it was a good call on your part. Just…not on mine.”

“You don’t know that,” Cam said gently. “People change.”

“I wonder.” Valerie shivered violently and Diane quickly took her hand.

“You need to get some sleep, darling. No more talking right now.” Diane glanced at Cam. “Thank you for everything.”

Cam nodded and backed away from the bed. “Let me know if there’s any problem.”

“I will,” Diane said.

Blair slid her arm around Cam’s waist. “Let’s go. You’re shaking.”

“I want to check downstairs with Stark and—”

“Nice try,” Blair said, laughing gently. “You’re all out of options tonight. Might as well surrender.”

Giving in to the fatigue, Cam leaned on Blair. “Terms accepted.”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Saturday

Just before noon, Cam tapped on Valerie and Diane’s door. When Diane answered, looking as if she hadn’t slept all night, Cam whispered, “Sorry. Is she awake?”

“On and off, yes.” Diane grimaced. “She woke up a few hours ago and wanted to get dressed for the morning briefing. Fortunately, she can’t get out of bed by herself, and I won’t help her.”

Cam smiled, but at the flash of fire in Diane’s eyes, she quickly smothered it. “I’ll only be a few minutes.”

“Do you want to speak to her alone?”

“If you don’t mind.”

Diane gestured to her robe. “Give me a second to throw on some clothes. I need coffee, anyhow.”

“Thanks.”

“Cam,” Diane said, partially closing the door, “I want to apologize for some of the things I said to you before. I know Valerie went out there because she wanted to, and you risked—”