Bound by the Red Thread

“Blow. I do this for my nieces and nephews. You’re no different. Blow.”

Nicole let out a foghorn blow and blushed.

“Better?” he asked, taking the tissues from her and throwing the used ones into the trash container beside the bed.

“Yeah. Thanks again,” she said, gazing up into his dark coffee-brown eyes.

“Do you think you want to go back and listen to what Monty’s been able to figure out, or should I go and fill you in later?”

“I really don’t feel like facing anyone. Will you go?” Nicole moved off of his lap and put her face in her hands.

“You don’t need to be embarrassed. None of the guys will care. And sure, I’ll fill you in when you are feeling better. Just promise me you’re not going to sit in here crying and feeling sorry for yourself.?” He pulled her hands away from her face so he could see into her eyes.

“I can’t promise, but I’ll try. I want to try and rest. I’m so tired.” She almost started crying again, but wasn’t going to in front of him.

Paul stared at her a minute longer. “Do you want me to stay with you?”

“No,” she answered, shaking her head. “I’ll be fine. Come fill me in later. I’m going to try and nap.”

He nodded. “Go wash your face.”

Nicole stood and went into the attached bathroom. After splashing some cold water on her face, she felt a little better.

Paul was still sitting on the side of the bed when she came back. “Lie down,” he instructed her. He stood and pulled back the top blanket. When she lay on the bed, he pulled it back over her. He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “I’ll be right outside if you need me.”

Nicole nodded, curling up into a ball and clutching one pillow. She closed her eyes and listened as he left the room and shut the door.

12

Paul stood outside the door to Nicole’s room, wondering if he should leave her. Darrall came up beside him. “Is she okay?”

Paul followed him out to the living room, before he answered. “She’s having a tough time. I’m not sure what set her off. She wasn’t ready to talk about it, but I’ll find out later.”

Darrall nodded and they sat down to listen to Monty finish the briefing.

It was hard for Paul to pay attention to Monty as his mind was on Nicole. She’d been so strong. This was the first time he’d seen her break down in the few weeks he’d known her.

Since they’d been spending more time together in the safe house, they’d shared a lot about each other, and found out they had several things in common. He was falling hard and fast. He wasn’t sure he’d be able to leave her when the time came, but knew she was planning on going back to her life when she got her son back.

He should be preparing her for the fact that it might not happen, but he couldn’t break her heart like that. He wasn’t going to let her down. He’d find his way to China and kidnap the boy if he had to, in order to get him back to her. He wasn’t goin

g to let her down.

He needed to pay attention if he was going to be able to tell her what Monty had or had not found later.

He ran one hand through his hair and focused on the briefing. He needed to get his shit together.

Nicole closed her eyes and wished sleep would come. If she could only escape for an hour, turn her mind off and let her body relax. She hadn’t been sleeping much since she’d got the paperwork from Jin saying he was divorcing her. She’d been so relieved when she’d found out that none of it was legal.

It seemed like that didn’t matter now. Jin was still going to fight her. She might never see Clifton again. With that thought, the waterworks broke again, and she began sobbing once more. What was she going to do?

She must have cried herself to sleep because when she woke, it was dark out and the house was quiet. Where was everyone?

She stumbled out of bed and into the bathroom, thinking a quick shower would help her wake up and be ready to face people again.

After she finished her shower she put on some sweats, though the days were warm, sometimes it could get cool after dark, even in Tampa, and she wanted something warm and comfortable to wear.

She opened her door and the house remained quiet. Usually, there was some type of noise. Whichever one of the men that was assigned to stay with her would be watching television, or if it was Monty, she would hear him clicking away on his keyboard. Something, but she heard nothing. There was a lone light on in the living room, so she ventured forth.