Page 195 of Daddy’s Fortitude

“Then I’ll move her into the compound with you. It will be safe there.”

“The way you keep calling it a compound, it sounds like something military.”

“It’s not, not anymore. Maybe it used to be for a bit, but it is well-protected. Zander bought the property a long time ago and had it set so that no one would find us. There’s a farmhouse on the property, but that’s not where we live. We live in an underground bunker.”

She froze with a fork full of spaghetti halfway to her mouth. “What? Really? You live underground?”

“It’s not exactly like it sounds. It’s far better, and we each have our own area. We’ve each got a bedroom, living area, small kitchenette, and bathroom. We’re not on top of one another, although we often do eat together.”

“Oh, but what about windows and natural light and things like that?”

“We have windows in the ceilings. I know it sounds odd, but it works for us and it’s not like we spend all our time living in it.”

She looked relieved at that, although he wouldn’t mind if she spent most of her time underground. At least then he’d know she was safe.

53

Her cries woke him instantly.

Ammo sat up, glancing around, his heart pounding. But he quickly realized that there was no one else in the room, that she wasn’t at any risk.

But she was having a nightmare.

“Aimee! Aimee, baby, wake up. Wake up!”

Reaching over, he picked her up and put her in his lap, holding her tight. He ran his fingers through her hair.

“Wake up, baby. Come on. It’s just a nightmare. You’re safe. I have you.”

She opened her eyes with a gasp, glancing around.

Turning on the bedside table lamp, he saw the look of fear on her face.

His poor girl. She’d been through so much, and now she was having nightmares about the fire.

She gasped for air as though she couldn’t breathe, before a cough rocked her. She hadn’t been coughing much at all yesterday. So this was likely just a reaction to the nightmare.

He grabbed the glass of water from her bedside table and held it up to her lips. She took some large gulps, choking slightly.

“Easy, baby. Just take nice, slow sips for me. That’s it. Good girl. You’re doing such a good job.”

He put the glass back down and held her tight once more.

“Sorry,” she said, trembling in his arms.

“Why are you saying sorry?”

“Because I woke you up,” she said. “I had a nightmare, didn’t I? Was I yelling out in my sleep?”

“Yes, you were. But I would much rather you wake me up than try to get through this on your own.” He grasped hold of her chin and tilted her head back. Her cheeks were wet from tears, and he grabbed a tissue to clean her up.

“I’m always such a mess,” she said with a small sob. “And you’re always the one left tidying me up.”

“Just as well I like taking care of you then, isn’t it?”

“For a man that doesn’t talk much, you sure do know what to say to make me feel better.”

“I’m glad.” But she was still trembling. Little shocks were rocking her body, and he didn’t like that at all.