By the look on Dylan’s face, it was clear he knew the person, too. How far up in the CIA had they gone to find and rescue her? Apparently, pretty high.
Matt nodded. “I did the same in Wyoming. We’ll catch the hacker eventually, and that will lead us to Mitrofanov.”
Her trembles were back, brought on in part by fatigue and another part by remembering what she’d been through.
“That’s enough talk about this,” Dylan said. “Time to get her out of here. Matt, Sean, I’ll get the rest of the details from you later. Call me if anything new comes up. Let’s get you home, Erica.”
“I agree,” Cam said, pulling her out of the booth.
She gave her brothers and Nicole a hug and waved at the crowd as they exited. “Thank you,” she said, smiling. She was overwhelmed by the love and support the people of Destiny had shown for her tonight.
And now, Dylan and Cam were going to spend the night at her house. How long had she wanted just that? Ages. But that had been a different time and she’d been a different person. She still wanted them with all her heart, but she had a long road ahead of her to get back to normal. Normal? Would she ever be normal again? Another round of trembles took hold of her, and she would’ve fallen to the sidewalk if Dylan hadn’t caught her in his arms.
“I’ve got you,” he said from behind his sunglasses. “It’s way past time to get you home.”
* * * *
Cam unlocked the door to Erica’s house and Dylan carried her inside. He turned the bed down and stood aside as Dylan lowered her to the mattress and took off her shoes.
Cam saw how exhausted she was. “Go to sleep, baby.”
“We’ll be right on the other side of the door,” Dylan added.
Erica’s eyes were wide. “Please, stay here. I don’t think I can go to sleep if I’m alone. Every time I close my eyes I see the two Russians’ faces.”
“Of course,” he said, crawling in next to her.
He turned to Dylan, wondering what he would do. Back in the car on the way to Destiny, Dylan had said he would take one step at a time. This was a step, a step to a chance at a future with Erica. Would his brother take the leap of faith now? She needed them, needed both of them. Cam knew it in his very bones.
Come on, Dylan. Stop standing there like a deer in the headlights. Let her know you care about her.
The seconds ticked by quickly. Finally, Dylan did something that surprised him. He removed his sunglasses and got into the bed on the other side of Erica.
I
n no time, Erica and Dylan were asleep.
Cam believed the life he’d always wanted with them might be coming true. Out of this horrible tragedy they had finally opened up to each other. He could still tell that Dylan was holding back. Why? He wasn’t sure, but at least he had taken one step forward. Erica, too, had to work through her pain. However long it took for them to heal from their wounds, he would be there. He wanted a family. This was his family. He’d known Erica all his life. The time he’d spent with her these last few months had made him realize she was the one. He loved her. She was his and Dylan’s forever.
* * * *
Cam looked at the clock. They’d all slept over twelve hours. Dylan and Erica were still asleep. He quietly got out of the bed. Erica stirred for a moment and then rolled over in her sleep, placing her arm around Dylan. His brother didn’t stir, which was way out of character for him. It was obvious that they were all so comfortable together.
He walked out of the bedroom to the kitchen to get some coffee made. It would be quite a job to get those two to be real with each other. Whatever it took, he would do it.
Cam returned to the bedroom with three cups of coffee. Erica was awake with a big smile on her face, which made his heart swell. She looked like her old self.
“How are you, sweetheart?” he whispered, seeing Dylan was still down for the count.
“I had the most delicious dream.” She giggled and then brought her hands up to her mouth.
He handed her a cup of coffee. “Tell me about it.”
She shook her head. “I couldn’t possibly do that.”
“You can’t or won’t?” Dylan asked, leaning up on his elbow.
“Good morning to you, too, Mr. Strange,” she said.