Turquoise Guardian by Jenna Kernan

Author:Jenna Kernan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-08-02T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

When Amber emerged from her bedroom in Kay’s nightie and the hotel’s plush terry-cloth robe, she found Carter at the door holding out a ceramic mug brimming with dark black coffee. She smiled in gratitude.

She tried to ignore the V of bronze male flesh revealed by his gaping cotton shirt when he extended his arm. Their fingers brushed in the exchange. Her reaction to his touch was harder to ignore. Her stomach twitched, and her eyes flashed to his. His brow quirked, and her face went hot. Carter cleared his throat.

“You slipped out last night,” she said, cradling the cup.

“I said I would.”

She smiled and inhaled the aroma of coffee.

“Jack stopped in. He said the marshals will be here soon.”

She sipped the coffee. “Did he ask you to go with him?”

Carter rubbed his neck, and she had her answer.

“I’m not your responsibility anymore, you know?”

“I do know that.” He didn’t sound happy about it. “I need to see you through this, Amber.”

“For old times’ sake?”

He held her gaze as he gave his head a slow shake. “For now. Protecting you, I just have to. Not because you’re a child or you aren’t capable, but these are bad people, Amber. Really bad. Don’t ask me to go.”

She shook her head. “I won’t. But I don’t want you hurt because of me.”

“I’m staying, Amber. Maybe we can figure this out together.”

Did he mean what was happening or what was happening between them? Her heart accelerated as hope crept in. She took another sip of coffee. Carter twisted his fist into the palm of his opposite hand. It was a gesture she was becoming familiar with.

“I don’t know how long they’ll keep me. But I do know that, except for your time in the marines, you’ve lived in Turquoise Canyon your entire life. Your family is here. Your friends. Medicine society and your job. Everything you know. I don’t want you to lose them because of me.”

“I can understand that. But it won’t be forever. Just until they catch these guys.”

She wasn’t sure. If these men who were after her were a part of a larger organization, WOLF or BEAR, then even if the FBI caught them, she might be in danger of retaliation. Certainly the authorities would keep her until the trial. That could be a long time.

She hung her head and let her hair fall over her face. What was she doing to him? She should tell him to go. But she couldn’t.

Oh, no, she thought, not again. She was not going to fall in love with him again.

He brushed her hair back and lifted her chin with an index finger.

“You’re lucky, Carter, to have people to come home to.”

He cast her a sad smile that twisted her heart.

“I couldn’t imagine a home where a parent would act like yours.”

Her face and neck went hot. “It’s shameful.”

Carter locked his jaw, biting down until his jaw muscles pulsed. He was so angry at her father, her charming father who had glossed over all his failings and convinced Carter that Amber was just overreacting.

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