That didnt matter to her. He knew how to fight and defend. He had to have learned it somewhere. Were you ever a cop, FBI agent, in the military?
Military, he said tightly.
Savvy pressed on. Soldier or staffer?
Soldier. He dragged in a deep breath and huffed it out.
She crossed her arms over her chest. If you were a soldier, you know how to use a gun. You know how to defend yourself and others.
He grunted, his brown eyes darkening to an inky black. Im not the right man for the job.
I ask you again, why? She waited, refusing to let him leave without a reasonable answer, and to her, there wasnt one.
Because, damn it, Im no good at it! He swung away and stomped toward the door.
Dawson, she called out. Savvys voice caught on his name, her stomach flip-flopping as the only man she felt she could trust was leaving.
His hand smacked against the solid door, absorbing the force needed to swing it open. Im not the right man for this job.
Please, she whispered. Youre the only person I can trust in a world of strangers.
Why me? he said, his back to her.
Because youve already proven yourself. Youve saved me once.
But that doesnt mean I can do it again.
Maybe not, but I know youll try. Why wouldnt he turn and face her? What made him so certain he couldnt handle this job? I dont know anyone else, she said, not too proud to plead.
He turned toward her, his face blank, emotionless. You dont know me.
Right now, I dont know anyone. How could she convince him? The thought of Dawson walking out the door and leaving her alone left her feeling so scared she couldnt think straight. Ill take my chances with you.
For a long moment, he stared at her, his eyes fierce, his body stiff. Finally, he shrugged. Its your life.
Chapter Three
Dawson paced the length of the tiled floor, careful to keep his footsteps quiet while Savvy slept the afternoon away. With each pass beside her bed, he studied the woman.
Strawberry-blond hair splayed out in a tangle across snow-white sheets. Auburn lashes fanned across pale cheeks where a dusting of freckles gave her the youthful appearance of a teenager. That was all that reminded him of a teen. The proud tilt of full breasts couldnt be hidden completely by the shapeless hospital gown. Those legslong, silky smooth and tonedmade him think of how theyd feel wrapped around a mans waist. Lush coral-colored lips could inspire kisses from even the most devout bachelor.
But not Dawson Gray. When hed lost Amanda, his high-school sweetheart, his wife, the mother of his unborn child, hed sworn never to walk that path again. He refused to expose himself to that kind of agony again.
Savvy Jones could only ever be a job to him. Hed do well to remember that and not allow her attributes to blind him to the danger surrounding her or the unrest raging in the border town of Laredo.
Dawson stopped in front of the window as the sun slowly sank over the city skyline. A dusty red haze clouded the air as the plump orange globe melted into shades of pink and gray.
District Attorney Young had called to inform him that hed be by shortly to question the witness.
Dawson glanced over his shoulder at Savvy. He didnt have the heart to wake her. The police had come and gone, asking Savvy a barrage of questions of which she had few answers. The doctor had made his rounds after consulting with the D.A., still prickly from his run-in with Dawson. But hed informed Savvy that she would heal quickly, and that she was lucky it had only been a flesh wound. No damage to her skull except for the lump shed acquired when shed fallen to the pavement, resulting in a mild concussion. Nevertheless, the hospital staff kept a close eye on her to watch for any brain swelling. If all went well, shed be allowed to leave the hospital the following morning.
Which introduced a whole new set of complications for Dawson. Where would Savvy go? Would she insist on him tagging along to babysit her? Could he let her step outside the hospital without him to face whatever threat lurked in the shadows of the city?
Hed waited until she was truly asleep before attempting to place a call to Audrey. Despite Savvys confidence in him, he still wanted out.
Audrey wasnt answering her cell or returning Dawsons call. The assignment stuck until he could get through to the boss and arrange a replacement.
You didnt leave, a gravelly voice said behind him.
Dawson spun in Savvys direction. She lay against the pillows, her eyes open, studying him.
No. I cant leave until I find a replacement.
Thanks. Her pretty lips twisted. Nice to know Im such a burden. She blinked and stretched, her left arm only going as far as the IV would allow before she dropped it to the sheets. Would you do me a favor?
Realizing he was staring, Dawson nodded. Depends on what it is.
I need to see if I can stand on my own two feet. She pushed the sheets aside and slowly sat up, dragging the IV tube with her.
Dawson hurried forward and gripped her elbow to steady her. Are you sure this is a good idea? Shouldnt you wait for a doctor or nurse?
No, I need to do this on my own. Although her face paled several shades, she shook her head. Just let me get my head on straight. She leaned against his arm for several long moments, breathing in and out with even, measured breaths.
Dawson stiffened and would have pulled away, but she held on to him, a reminder that she needed help to balance and that he couldnt release her or shed fall.
Okay, Im ready. With a little scoot that raised her hospital nightgown daringly high up her thigh, she eased off the side of the bed. I have to warn you, the last time I tried this, I dropped like a rock. She laughed, the sound as shaky as the hand she slipped into his.
Hell. Dawson switched hands and wrapped his arm around her waist, the skin peeking through the openings at the back of her hospital gown disturbingly soft and smooth against his forearm.
He helped her find her feet and held her up until she stood flat-footed on the cool tiles.
Her pink toenail polish shone brightly in contrast to the plain white flooring. A sweet, girlie color Dawson wouldnt expect on a redhead or a strawberry-blonde, but it suited her.
Got it? Dawson asked.
She nodded and smiled, her overbright eyes shining up at him. Funny what you take for granted when you have it. I never would have thought Id need help standing on my own two feet. Her smile slipped. But dont worry. Its one step closer to getting you off the hook. Her mouth pressed into a thin line and she attempted a step forward.
Hows that? Dawson moved alongside her, letting her lean into him as much as she needed.
As soon as I can get around on my own, you wont need to hang around.
Dawson frowned. What about the bad guys trying to kill you?
I gave it some thought. Her gaze shifted away from him to the window. Once Im out of here, Ill be extra careful. Im sure I can manage just fine.
Yeah. Dawson admired independence, but bravado was just plain stupid. You think you could fight off a guy like the one who paid you a visit earlier? The one with the pillow and the body mass of a refrigerator?