The Unseen Enemy Series

Chapter 258

A few hours later, Sully jolted awake and automatically reached for the gun on the bedside table. He was on his feet and running for the door before he was fully aware of what had woken him up. When he realized that it was Cordelia and she was screaming, he damn near ripped her bedroom door off its hinges getting to her.

“Cordelia!”

She was in bed, fast asleep. Twisting and turning, her arms flailing as she fought someone in her dreams. Sully set the gun on the dresser next to the door, and then hurried over to the bed. He sat down next to her, and carefully reached for her shoulder.

“Cordelia?”

She moaned and slapped at his hand, panicked. “No!”

“Baby, wake up… Cordelia.”

“Don’t! Don’t take him!”

Sully grasped her wrists in one large hand and with the other, he touched her face. “Wake up. Please, sweetheart.”

She screamed again, a helpless, hopeless sound. No words, just terror and pain. Her eyes flew open now and she struggled harder, starting to breathe too quickly.

“Let go!”

Right away, he released her hands. She shot to a sitting position and started to pound his chest.

“You can’t have him!” she cried. “Please… please don’t!”

“Cordelia.” He ignored her punches and cupped her face in both hands, forced her to look at him. “Come back to me… come on, now.”

She froze and stared up at him. “Hunter?”

A wave of relief crashed through him, hard. “Yeah. Yeah, baby, it’s me. You’re OK.”

Her fingers curled into his t-shirt. “Oh, God…”

“Shhhhh.” He pulled her to his chest gently, wondering if she was going to resist. She didn’t, though, she just let herself get wrapped up in those strong arms and tucked her face into his neck. “I’ve got you, Cordelia. You’re OK now… I’ve got you.”

She was shaking badly, still breathing way too fast. He tightened his grip around her, held on. He found himself whispering in her ear, sweet and soothing words, telling her over and over that he had her. And he did have her: she’d have to physically leave his embrace because he wasn’t letting go.

Slowly, her breathing slowed and steadied. Her rigid body softened and curved against his, her hands unclenched on his chest. Her face was still hidden against his throat and he cradled the back of her head, holding her closer to his warmth. He didn’t want her to stir, to shift. He wanted her to just stay. Stay forever.

Cordelia sighed, shattered and small against his powerful body. God, the sheer, blunt strength of him was unbelievable, and even more so when she considered that he was holding her gently. He was holding back and she knew he was being so, so careful. She felt safe and cherished with Hunter – and she was surprised that such a hard man could make her feel so cared for.

Finally, hating to do it but needing to, she pulled back. Just a bit. He knew he was being an asshole, but he barely loosened his grip.

Fuck, he was going to make her work to leave his arms, if that’s what she wanted. She didn’t leave, though, not all the way. She sat bracketed in the circle of his massive arms, her hands still on his broad chest. She looked up, her dark eyes haunted.

“Thanks,” she said, her voice hoarse from screaming. “I’m sorry I woke you up.”

He ran his hand over her face in a rough caress, almost angry that she was apologizing. “It’s fine. Are you alright?”

“Yes.” She tried to smile, failed miserably. “You can go back to bed, Hunter.”

He didn’t respond to that asinine suggestion. Instead, he leaned back, pulled her with him. She followed his body down to the bed, no resistance or protesting at all, and that more than anything told him how bad it was. Cordelia would rather die than let anyone – especially him – see her weak or hurt. And damned if she wasn’t letting him do exactly that: she was curled up against him, her head on his shoulder, her arm around his waist, still trembling. Whatever it was, she needed him here now.

He pulled the sheets over them and stroked her hair, over and over, the movement rhythmic and calming. When she finally relaxed and sank on to his body, he spoke.

“Talk to me. Tell me what that was.”

She closed her eyes. “It doesn’t matter.”

“It does matter. You woke up screaming.”

She shook her head. It wasn’t a gesture of denial so much as one of confusion. “I haven’t dreamt about it in years… I thought I was finally past it.”

“Past what?” He waited. “Cordelia? Tell me.”

She sighed, snuggled deeper into his body. “My ex-husband kidnapped Sean.”

“He – what?”