Page 46 of Everything We Found

Head bowed, he rubbed the back of his neck. “Didn’t mean to.”

“So what have you been doing since? Where’d you go?”

Thomas gave Cammy the rundown of the last forty-eight hours, from the siege on his house to their narrow escape at the safe house. He shared his worries around James, going into more detail with Cammy than he’d confided in Nadia. And Nadia just listened, watching him closely. Thomas was different around this woman. More relaxed and expressive. His affectionfor her was evident, his respect obvious in the unguarded way he listened and curious way he hit her up with questions, seeking her advice. If Nadia didn’t know any better, she’d say Cammy was the mother Thomas hadn’t found in Claire. Despite the doom and gloom surrounding him, this woman could make him smile. Yet she couldn’t chase the sadness Nadia noticed he’d been carrying since they escaped the safe house. A sadness Thomas tried to hide from her. Anytime his gaze tucked into hers, he glanced away first.

Her chest tightened with worry and quiet frustration. She’d seen the same expression, that same guarded hurt, on him when he sat with her on her porch steps all those years ago. Only now, she didn’t have an orange slice to offer him. Would any small comfort be enough to clear what haunted him? She suspected none would.

Their conversation circled to Kane Mitchell. Thomas wanted Cammy’s thoughts on him. Was he wrong to consider they’d been betrayed?

“No,” Cammy said flatly. “I’ll look into it. Put my feelers out. His agency might know something.”

“You need to warn them he’s gone rogue,” Nadia pushed.

“We don’t know that. But you’re right to question how the cartel found you. Kane is the most probable avenue.” She nodded, her mouth a grim line.

“The authorities should be looking for Ruiz’s sons, not just Fernando,” Thomas said.

“I’m sure they are.”

“They’re the real threat. Ruiz is an old man. They’ve been running the cartel’s operations for years and I bet they’re behind all this.”

“Probably. We just have to trust our agencies have devoted every resource to hunt him down.” Palms flat on the table,Cammy fanned her fingers. “Which brings us back to why you’re here.”

Thomas nodded.

“What do you need from me?” she asked.

He leaned back in his chair. “You know. What you offered last time.”

They stared at each other and something wordless passed between them. Twinges of apprehension pinched Nadia’s chest.

Cammy leaned back, mimicking Thomas’s loose posture. “You turned me down.”

“I did. But it’s different now.” His gaze met Nadia’s, and that brief meeting of the eyes sent a ripple of wariness through her.

Cammy caught the look. “Ah, I see. Does she know?” She tipped her head at Nadia.

“No.” Thomas kept his gaze on Nadia and a cold void opened in her chest. Whatever this was, it went beyond a simple need to see that she was protected.

“You need to tell her.”

“Tell me what?”

“I will.” Thomas’s gaze swerved to Cammy and Nadia immediately felt the loss. Worry snapped the cookie in her hands as Cammy and Thomas stared hard at each other. A challenge. Finally, Cammy sighed.

“All right. I’ll leave it up to you. Meanwhile…” She pushed her chair back and stood, patted Thomas’s shoulder. “Make yourselves at home. Show Nadia where the guest room is. I don’t know what your sleeping arrangements are, but if you need separate beds, you can take the futon in my office, Tom. When you’ve settled in, meet me in the stables. I could use an extra set of hands today.” She smiled at Nadia. “I’m glad I finally got to meet you.”

Nadia cocked her head, eyes narrowing on Thomas. She’d assumed correctly when they’d been introduced. Cammy had known of her. What had Thomas told her?

Thomas just stared into his mug, lost in thought, plotting as if Cammy’s remark hadn’t even registered. His expression had that familiar look of determination. Jaw set, eyes distant yet unfocused. Nadia recognized it immediately. He was in decision-making mode, making up his mind about something significant. Something that would no doubt affect her. And he’d arrive at it without her input.

The sight of him evoked a memory from a few months after her mom had started working for Edgar. A time when Thomas had made a similar unilateral decision that changed the course of their lives.

She’d returned home from school one afternoon, fumbling with her house key when Lisa’s car pulled into the driveway. Her mom stepped out, face bright with excitement.

“Hurry and get dressed,” Lisa called. “I’m taking you to dinner.”

Nadia’s eyes widened in surprise. They hadn’t dined out in over a year.