The jacket was painful enough, but manageable. The hose, however, were a different matter. Annoyed, Kristen acknowledged defeat. „It’s a good thing you came by, I guess. I can’t imagine sleeping in these things.“
Ruth grinned and knelt by her chair. „I can’t imagine wearing them at all. Like being stuffed into sausage casings. Let me help.“ A few tugs and Kristen sat bare-legged, her skirt hiked above her knees. Ruth poked gently for a few minutes, then sat back on her haunches. „You’ve probably twisted your knee and strained your shoulder socket. Neither one is life-threatening though you’ll feel really sore tomorrow.“
Kristen frowned. „Worse than now?“
„Oh, a lot worse,“ Ruth said cheerfully. „But considering the alternative I’d say you’re lucky.“ She rose and looked down, her expression shifting from cheerful to concerned.
„Abe’s a fine man. He was afraid you’d gone into shock. Don’t be too hard on him.“
Kristen tugged her skirt to her knees. „I’m just sorry you got dragged out here.“
„It’s okay. Have you eaten?“
Kristen frowned, trying to remember. „Yes, I did. I stopped at Owen’s for dinner. It was on my way home from the diner that those guys stopped me.“
„Well, then I’d say the best idea is to take some ibuprofen and a nice bath.“
Kristen snorted. „That’s what I told Reagan, but he’s too thickheaded to listen.“
Ruth laughed. „Runs in the family, honey. Wait till you meet his dad.“
Kristen shook her head, sincerely panicked that Ruth thought… „Oh, no. I don’t want… I mean…“ She gave up when Ruth just looked more amused. „Never mind.“
„It was nice to meet you, Kristen.“ Ruth’s smile faded and she glanced at the door. „He’ll need to take care of you. Please let him. It’s very important.“
Kristen remembered the look on his face when she’d entered the kitchen. Such desperate desolation. And he’d clutched her teacup so tightly that she’d thought it would shatter, right there in his hands. „Why?“
But she got no answer as Reagan picked that moment to return.
„She’s fine, Abe,“ Ruth said, patting him on the shoulder. „You, on the other hand, look like you could use a hot meal and a good night’s sleep.“
He smiled down at his sister-in-law with such genuine affection, Kristen’s heart ached a little at the sight. What it must be like to have a family so close that you could call and know they’d come at a moment’s notice. Wishes, once again.
„Don’t worry about me,“ he said.
Ruth sighed. „That’s what you always say, but I always do. You’re still coming on Saturday, right? A week from tomorrow, don’t forget.“
„Wild horses couldn’t keep me away from my newest niece’s christening.“
Ruth bit her lip. „I’m sorry about Debra’s parents, Abe. My mother invited them. I couldn’t un-invite them without causing a huge family row.“
Who was Debra? And why did the mention of her parents make his eyes harden?
„It’s okay, Ruth. I’m sure we can manage to coexist peacefully for one evening.“ He pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, the movement practiced, as if he’d done it many times before. „If it looks like trouble is brewing, I’ll leave. I promise.“
„I don’t want you to do that, Abe.“ Ruth’s voice thickened and she closed her eyes. „I’m sorry. It’s just that you’ve missed so much. I don’t want you to miss this.“
He glanced over at Kristen, his expression slightly embarrassed. Good manners dictated she look away, but again she remembered the look of desolation on his face and gave him what she hoped was a supportive smile instead. He’d been good to her, this relative stranger. Caring for her when he hadn’t needed to. Ruth said that it was important he take care of her and whatever his reason, Kristen believed that was true.
„Now don’t go getting squishy on me,“ he said. „You know how much I hate that.“
Ruth grinned tearily. „It’s just the damn hormones. Kristen, it was so nice to meet you. Keep your foot elevated.“ She leaned up and kissed Reagan’s cheek. „Dinner on Sunday?“
Kristen watched in fascination as Reagan’s stubbled cheeks reddened at the little kiss. „Me miss ham? I don’t think so. Let me walk you to your car.“
Kristen gave Ruth a little wave. „Thank you.“ And she watched them leave, Reagan’s arm around Ruth’s shoulders, the sight making her eyes sting. Hating herself for wishing for things she could never have, she turned and stared at the box.
He was here because of the damn box. Because of all the damn boxes. And as soon as their humble servant was safely put away, he’d be gone. She drew in a deep breath and let it out. And focused on the damn box.
She wondered who the vigilante had targeted this time and tried to make herself care, but it was hard to care about the loss of such twisted, evil people. Harder still after tonight. It didn’t take a genius to figure out what those men would have done to her had she not gotten away. It didn’t take imagination to conjure the picture of herself at their mercy.
Memories sufficed.
„Spinnelli will be here soon,“ she murmured to herself, and it wouldn’t do to be sitting here bare-legged when he arrived. She needed to change her clothes. Summoning all her energy, she pushed herself to her feet.
Friday, February 20,
9:15 p.m.
He didn’t knock. He banged hard enough to wake the damn dead.
Zoe opened her door. „Do you have any concept of self-control?“ she snapped.
He pushed inside and slammed her front door so hard the building shook. „Obviously not, since I was stupid enough to get tangled up with you.“ His body shook with barely suppressed rage and for the first time, Zoe was afraid.
„Calm down, for God’s sake. Do you want a drink?“
„No, I don’t want a drink.“ He grabbed her arms hard and she cried out. He hauled her up on her toes. „What I want is for you to back off. No more stories about Mayhew or vigilante killers.“ He pulled harder and she bit back a whimper. „Understand?“
She struggled, but he held firm. „It’s my job. I’m doing my job.“
„Then go find another story, because you doing your job will make me lose mine.“
„You’re overreacting. Nobody’s going to lose their job.“
He shook her, hard. „That’s because you’re going to stop.“
She threw her head back, stared him in the eye. „Or what? What could you possibly do to back up your spineless little threat? Tell the world I’m sleeping with you? I’m not married. I don’t care.“ She narrowed her eyes. „Or maybe I’ll turn up as one of Kristen’s gifts.“
He paled as she’d known he would. „What are you talking about?“
She lifted a shoulder in a careless shrug. „The power of the press, the spoken word. A whispered allegation. Association with a vigilante. It could ruin a man’s career.“
He stared at her for a moment, then threw her away as if she burned him. She hoped she had. Nobody threatened Zoe Richardson. Nobody.
„You’re insane,“ he whispered.
„Unfortunately for you I am quite sane.“ She settled her hands on her hips, well aware of the picture she made. „You want to stay or what?“
Horror flickered across his face. „You think I’d sleep with you now? My God.“
„Pity. Press conferences and interviews with the Contis really get my blood stoked. Sleeping hadn’t crossed my mind.“
His eyes narrowed. „Conti? What does that sonofabitch have to do with anything?“
Zoe laughed. „So sanctimonious suddenly. Go on home, sugar. You can probably just catch the interview if you leave right now.“
He shook his head. „You’re poison.“