Shades of Gray

CHAPTER 24

COLE carried P.J. onto the plane. It was almost as if he’d reached the end of his patience or just blown his resolve to let her do as much on her own as possible.

She’d limped out of the cottage with Cole’s help, and admittedly he’d pretty much carried her then too, but he’d allowed her the illusion of making it on her own. He’d even allowed her to get out of the vehicle at the airfield, but after three painful steps, he muttered a curse and simply swept her into his arms.

She hadn’t argued, because to be perfectly honest, each of those three steps had been agonizing and she was too exhausted to care if she looked weak to the rest of the team.

It was stupid of her to care anyway. Her team members had each gone down before and they hadn’t shown their ass or insisted on making it on their own. All the pressure was of her own making. She didn’t want to seem like she needed help, because she felt like she had more to prove.

Ridiculous, but there you had it. She was a woman, and her team didn’t even care. It was her with the chip on her shoulder and for no reason.

Cole settled her on the back couch and made sure she was comfortable while the others took their seats and belted themselves in.

“I’m okay, Cole,” she said, after he’d placed a pillow underneath her leg. “Go sit down and buckle up.”

He scowled and ignored her, taking position at the end of the couch. He placed a hand over her knee to steady her so her leg wouldn’t be jostled in takeoff.

She sighed, knowing it was fruitless to argue with him. He was one hardheaded male.

As soon as they were airborne, the others filtered back. There were only two armchairs making up the small sitting area along with the couch, and Dolphin and Renshaw took those while Baker slouched on the floor. Steele stood in the doorway, and it was evident he had something on his mind.

Donovan was conspicuously absent, and she didn’t know if it was because he wanted to give the team privacy to hash out their issues or if Steele had told him to hang back.

“I’m going to be straight with you, P.J.,” Steele said. “You’re going to take it easy for the next few weeks. You aren’t going back to your apartment. It’s too risky. Brumley’s likely got a hit out on you. And if I don’t think you’re ready for action by the time we make our move on him, you’re grounded.”

She started to protest but he shut her down before she could say the first word.

“I’ll tie you up and have Sam sit on you if I have to,” Steele said in a terse voice. “You’ll be a liability to the team, not to mention the personal danger you’d place yourself in.”

She bit her lip and didn’t offer argument. It would do no good. And if she told him that there was no way in hell she was staying behind while they went after Brumley, he’d do just as he threatened and have Sam or Garrett play nanny.

So instead, she nodded stiffly and kept her mouth shut.

“The other thing is, you’re not staying alone while you’re recovering.”

Again she opened her mouth and he damn near sliced her in two with his stare.

“This isn’t up for negotiation. You aren’t going back to your apartment and you aren’t staying alone. You’d be a sitting duck if Brumley tried anything. So here are your choices. You stay with me or you stay with one of the team. Doesn’t matter to me. But you aren’t flying solo.”

“You can stay with me,” Dolphin offered.

“Or me,” Renshaw broke in.

Baker also offered his place.

Cole was the only one who remained silent. She cut her glance sideways at him to see him sitting expressionless, his hand still cupped over her knee.

It was almost as if he were issuing her a challenge. He’d laid his cards on the table. Now it was her turn to meet him halfway. He wasn’t going to offer. He wanted her to make the next move.

Damn it.

She blew out her breath while her heart was about to beat out of her chest. It was such a silly thing, but making that move scared the hell out of her. It was like jumping out of a plane and hoping like hell the parachute opened.

“P.J.?” Steele prompted.

There was another long pause while she gathered her courage.

“I’ll stay with Cole, if he doesn’t mind,” she choked out.

His hand tightened on her knee. She could feel the imprint of his fingers on her flesh.

Dolphin cast a glance over at Cole, his brows gathering as if he didn’t quite understand the strong undercurrent flowing in the room.

“Seriously, I don’t mind, P.J.,” Dolphin said.

Cole’s voice was almost menacing. “She’s staying with me.”

“Alrighty then,” Dolphin said, expelling his breath.

Cole’s grip on her knee loosened, but he still kept his hand there, and this time when she peeked back at him, he was staring at her, his eyes full of satisfaction.

She was glad now she’d made that move. Something told her that he would have been hurt if she had wimped out of the challenge he’d thrown.

“First thing you’re doing is checking into the hospital,” Steele said.

“Aw fuck,” she muttered.

“Save it,” Cole said. “You don’t have to stay, but you need to get checked out, get some meds, stitches, whatever it takes. Then I’ll take you home and make you feel all better.”

Heat prickled up her nape and warm pleasure flooded her heart. She had a feeling he wasn’t simply talking about a little pampering and some good food. And if she was right, she knew he certainly would go a long way in making her feel very, very good.