Into a Dangerous Mind (14 page)

Kathy, still sitting on the floor, studied Zach’s face and then slowly nodded.
 
“I’ll go so she can get some sleep.”
 
And then, “Hi there, who are you?”
 
She smiled at Dix as he picked her up off the floor.

“That’s my friend, Dix—he works for Cox Cable.”
 
Zach hastily added and continued to hold Cassidy.

Kathy ran her fingers through Dix’s hair.
 
“Red—you’re adorable.”

Zach rolled his eyes toward the ceiling at the look of puppy adoration on Dix’s face.
 
“Come on, ladies—off to bed.”
 
He swept Cassidy into his arms.
 
“Dix, why don’t you bunk Kathy down in the guest room?”

Cassidy curled against him like she had the first night he’d carried her inside after the Reaper attacked her.
 
Since he shielded them both, he knew she felt hollowed out and empty.
 
Guilt niggled at him.
 
He’d pulled her away from her temporary escape from the hell of the past few days.

She was right—he was much more used to these kinds of things.
 
How had he expected her to deal with them without help?

Zach gently laid her on the bed and then went into the bathroom for aspirin and water.

When he returned, he sat next to her and pressed the glass and the pills into her hands.
 
“Here, take these, you’ll be glad you did come morning.”

“I’m scared, Zach.
 
Will you stay here with me?”
 
Her hazel and green gaze begged him to say yes.
 
There was no way he could deny her.

Zach lay down next to her and pulled her against him, spoon style.
 
His arm tucked around her waist, her head nestled under his chin.
 
“Go to sleep, Cassidy.
 
I can at least promise you one night of peace.”
 
He kissed the top of her head and she curled against him and slept.

*****

Cassidy sat in front of a cup of coffee and prayed the Tylenol she’d just downed would kick in soon.
 
She woke to the cast of Riverdance performing endless encores inside her head and reminding her that while she loved
Parrot
Bay
, it only liked her until the next morning.

Kathy left a few hours ago to go home and try to become human before rehearsals began at nine o’clock.
 
Cassidy hoped she felt more human by then, but at least she was showered and dressed, a feat in itself.

Cassidy winced.
 
Someone was obviously trying to batter her door down with cannon fire.
 
“You’d better have morphine or breakfast,” she muttered as she walked to the living room to answer the door.

Zach stood in the doorway looking perfectly fresh and handsome.
 
“I figured you’d be hurting a bit this morning, so I ran out to get breakfast sandwiches and coffee.”
 
He smiled and handed her a cup.
 
“And, I brought you a large decaf caramel macchiato since we never did get to have dessert after our date.”

“How’s your head?” Zach asked softly.

“It hasn’t exploded yet, but the jury is still out.”
 
She dug a bacon, egg, and cheese bagel out of the bag Zach offered.
 
“I want to thank you for staying with me last night.
 
I’m sorry I lost it, I guess everything just backed up on me.”

Zach caught her gaze and held it.
 
“There’s no need to apologize, you’ve been through something very traumatic.
 
Your emotions were bound to find an outlet.
 
I’m sorry I wasn’t as sensitive as I could’ve been last night.”

Cassidy sighed as she took a drink of the sweet coffee, but not even her favorite drink could lift her mood today.
 
“I know escape is the coward’s way, but it’s hard not being able to talk to Kathy.
 
It’s like my support network has been cut.”
 
Cassidy continued eating and let the silence draw out around them.

“Not all of it.”
 
Zach reached out and captured Cassidy’s hand in his, feathering a callused thumb across the back of her hand.
 
“I’m here for you whenever you need me and I do understand what you went through.”

When he opened his eyes, he met her gaze, and his voice sounded strained.
 
“The other night you felt Tia die and you weren’t even close to her—had never met her.”
 
He looked into her gaze, willing her to understand.

“I had a close bond with Diane, built up over time.
 
I experienced all of her fear and pain as she died.
 
When the car exploded, I felt the few seconds of searing pain, terror and then nothing—a sudden emptiness that used to be the woman I loved.”

Moisture glistened in Zach’s warm golden eyes and waves of his pain broke over her.

“Zach, I’m so sorry.”
 
Cassidy raised his hand to her lips and brushed a gentle kiss across his knuckles.
 
“Now I can say the same thing to you since I understand as well.
 
If you need to talk about it, I’m here.”

He nodded and let silence fall between them again.

Cassidy drank the last of her coffee and pushed the bag of breakfast sandwiches across the table toward him.
 
“I’m done, if you’d like some.
 
And thanks for bringing them over.
 
I feel much better.”
 
She turned to pick up her purse.

“Where are you going?”
 
Zach glanced pointedly at her purse.

“I’ve got rehearsal in an hour, and thanks to you, I actually feel human enough to go.”
 
She started toward her cello when Zach’s voice stopped her.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

The bottom dropped out of her stomach and her headache and nausea returned, but this time for a different reason.
 
She never thought about being in danger at rehearsals.
 
But surely in such a public place she’d be safe.
 
“There will be eighty people there, I’ll be fine.”

Zach stood and took her hands in his.
 
“He can get to you in a room full of people.
 
You’re going to need to take a leave of absence until we get this sorted out.”

Cassidy hated the vulnerability that welled up inside her as the last part of her support network crumbled away beneath her feet.
 
Panic sparked her temper and she turned it full force on Zach.
 
“I will
not
take a leave of absence.
 
This is my job, my career, my life.”
 
Her voice cracked as she fought back tears.

*****

*****