Radclyffe - Honor Under Siege

from her, but even more it frightened her that Valerie had somehow

made contact and Blairs security team hadnt detected it. Because if

Stark had known, she would have informed Cam immediately. Cam

was certain of that. The ramifications of the scenario were blood-chil

ingly clearif Valerie was a target and someone tried to take her out of

the picture when she was anywhere near Blair, Blair could become

col ateral damage. Blair had been unprotected. Blair had been

vulnerable.

Cams stomach rebel ed at the images her mind projected in a relentless

streama glimmer of movement on a rooftop before a bul et tore into her

chest, a vehicle exploding into a lethal inferno, a firestorm of smoke

and death outside the Aerie. Each time, Blair as the target.

“Goddamn it, she seethed. She felt as if she were always one step behind.

How much longer could her luck hold up? How much longer could

Blairs? Sooner or later, Blair would be caught in someones crossfire,

and Cam couldnt let that happen. The thought was beyond anything

she could even al ow into her consciousness. Blair would just have

to understand that her safety was more important than her freedom.

Cam squinted in the steady downpour as she approached an

intersection and automatical y glanced to her right as she started across

with the light. Headlights shimmered through a curtain of water halfway

up the block, and it wasnt until she was in the middle of the street

that she registered the sound of an engine accelerating. She looked

right again and dove toward the far sidewalk as a vehicle barreled

down on her. The next instant something solid grazed her right hip and

she was airborne. She crashed down, rol ing out of her fal as best she

could while reaching for her weapon. Stunned by the impact, it took

her a second to remember she didnt have her weapon or her cel phone

or even her wal et. Like an idiot, shed left the apartment with nothing

but the clothes on her back. When she pushed herself to her knees,

the vehicle had disappeared around the corner.

Stif ly, she got to her feet and swayed for a minute until she got her

balance. It al happened so quickly, she could almost believe it hadnt

happened except for the throbbing in her right shoulder and hip,

which had taken the worst of the glancing blow. When she swiped at

the moisture on her face she saw a streak of blood on her hand. She

ignored it, thinking she must have scraped her hand when she hit the

ground. Ignoring the pain shooting through her right side, she turned

back the way shed come and ran as fast as she could. By the time she

reached her building and shoved through the glass doors into the lobby,

she was gasping for breath and staggering from a cramp in her side.

Wozinski

rushed

toward

her.

“Commander!

Cam braced one arm against the desk where the doorman usual y sat

and gasped, “Im okay. GetStark here. Her voice cracked and she

swal owed

against the raw ache that accompanied every breath. Running in the

cold air seemed to have exacerbated the swel ing in her injured throat.

“Savard, too. She glanced toward the elevators, almost terrified to ask.

“Egret?

“Upstairs,

Commander.

The relief was so intense her legs nearly buckled, but she waved

Wozinski away when he took another step toward her. “Just winded.

Make the cal s.

“Yes

maam.

“No one else comes up, Cam rasped on her way to the elevator. Once

inside, she pul ed of her windbreaker and mopped up some of the water

and grit from her hair and face. Glancing down as she crossed the foyer,

she realized the right knee of her sweatpants was torn out. Grimacing,

she tapped on her door. “Blair? Blair, its Cam. I dont have my keys.

After a moment, Cam heard the sound of footsteps approaching. As soon

as the door started to open, she held onto the handle so Blair couldnt

see her. “Im okay, but I took a lit le bit of a spil .

“A spil ? Blair pul ed against the resistance from the other side,

instantly attuned to the hoarseness in Cams voice. “Sweetheart?

Cam leaned against the doorjamb, pale and shivering.

“Rough run.

“Theres blood on your face and neck, Blair gasped, grasping Cams

shoulders. When Cam winced, Blair slid her arm down around

her waist. “What happened?

“Oh my God, Diane exclaimed from across the room. “Should I

cal an ambulance?

“No. Cam struggled not to cough. “I just need to sit down a

second.

“Put some cof ee on, would you, Di. Blair switched on a nearby table

lamp. “Im going to help her get cleaned up.

“Stark and Savard are on their way. I

need to

“Be quiet and let me look at you. Blair framed Cams face and studied her

eyes, some of her fear dissipating when she saw that they were

clear. She gently touched a jagged scrape along the right side of Cams

jaw. “Where else are you hurt?

“Bumps and bruises. Cam tried not to limp as she and Blair started

down the hal way to the bedroom. “Its not serious, baby.

“What happened? Blair repeated as soon as they were in the bedroom.

She quickly got two large towels from the bathroom and tossed them

onto the foot of the bed. Then she gently lifted Cams T-shirt and guided

it of over her head. After draping one of the towels around Cams

shoulders, she untied her sweatpants and eased them down and of .

“Oh, sweetheart.

Gently, she brushed her fingertips over the discolored, swol en areas on

Cams shoulder and hip. “You didnt fal .

“Somebody tried to run me down, Cam said, slowly making her way

to the bathroom. “I need to get a fast shower. Stark and Savard should

be here in a minute.

Blair turned on the water, her motions sharp and angry. She needed the

anger, because the thought of how much worse it might have been made

her want to scream. “Who was it? Did you see?

“No. Cam groaned softly as the hot water hit her rapidly stif ening

back and hips. “Couldnt see a thing except headlights.

“It was deliberate? Blair ran the towel through her hands over and over,

wanting

more than ever to hit something. To hurtno, annihilate whoever had

attempted to kil her lover, to take someone precious from her. The pain

of just thinking of it was so huge she shook.

“Yeah, I think

so.

“Oh sweetheart, Im sorry, Blair whispered. “If you hadnt been angry

with me, you wouldnt have gone

“Bul shit, Blair, Cam said mildly, stepping out of the shower and

accepting the towel Blair held out for her. “Baby, if it was anyones fault,

it was mine. I wasnt paying at ention, and whoever it was probably fol

owed me from here. I didnt have my weapon or my phone. Fucking

idiot. Roughly, she toweled her hair until it was dry enough for her to

finger comb it back out of her face. “Would you mind grabbing me

some jeans and a shirt.

“Here, Blair said a moment later. She helped Cam with the but ons and

zipper even though Cam didnt need her to, because she had to do

something, other than slam doors and swear. “Il get you some ibuprofen

too. From the looks of those bruises, youre going to be sore.

When Blair started to turn away, Cam gently caught her by the

shoulders and stopped her. “Im okay. Youve given me a worse

thumping in the training ring.

Blair turned in the circle of Cams arms. “I might have bloodied you,

but Ive never tried to hurt you. She rested her cheek against Cams

shoulder. “God, I cant believe someone tried to run you down. I shouldnt

have let you go.

“I shouldnt have gone. Im sorry.

“I was so pissed off at you for leaving. Blair was starting to

shake as her anger dissipated. “You beat me to it.

“Ill make a deal with you. The next time were pissed at

each

other, I wont walk if you wont.

Blair sighed and kissed Cams throat. “I guess I have to

agree, because I cant stand it when youre angry, and its

even worse when youre gone.

“Were going to have to talk about this with Stark and

Savard. Diane too, a little later.

Blair met Cams eyes. “Is this about Valerie?

“I dont know, baby. But we have to find out. She kissed

Blair careful y, slowly and tenderly. “Tonight was either a

warning or they were just sloppy. Either way, they made a

mistake. Were not waiting for whoevers out there to try again.

Cams eyes hardened. “Were going after them now.

* * * * *

Diane placed a cup of coffee on the end table next to Cam

and handed another cup to Blair. “Theres more in the kitchen for

when the others get here. Ill be in my room. Her eyes held an

apology as they met Blairs. “Let me know if you need anything.

“Wait! Blair caught up to Diane on the way to the guest

room. “Are you okay?

“Me? Diane shook her head. “Forget about me. Is Cam okay?

Are you?

“Shes banged up, but shell be fine. Blairs voice trembled and

she forced back a surge of anxiety. She squeezed Dianes hand. “I

just wasnt expecting this here. It shook me for a minute.

“A minute! Diane laughed shakily. “I thought I understood

what your life was like all these years, but I was wrong. Ive

always loved you for your spirit and courage. Now even more.

She lightly stroked Blairs cheek. “If I am the cause of any of

this because of my relationship with Valerie, Im leaving. You dont

deserve to have more pain in your life because of your friends.

“Diane, Blair said gently. “Shut

up. Diane paused. “Im serious.

“I know, and I love you for it. But youre not going anywhere

right now. Ill talk to you as soon as I can.

When she returned to the living room, Cam was just opening

the door to Paula and Renée. Blair guessed they had come

directly from their shopping trip, because Renées dark slacks,

pale yel ow blouse, and dark green blazer were clearly just out of

the package. Paula, in jeans and a navy crewneck sweater, looked

worried even before she zeroed in on Cam, and then her eyes

widened in alarm and she immediately pivoted toward Blair. “Are

you all right?

“Im fine. Just Cam was hurt. Blair stroked Cams arm, needing the

contact. “Someone tried to run her down.

“Do you have anything on the vehicle or driver? Renée asked

briskly.

“Nothing on either one, Cam said in disgust. “I was too busy

kissing the pavement. She sat on the sofa and gestured toward the

matching leather chairs opposite her. Blair set led beside her, and

Cam briefly squeezed her hand before fil ing Stark and Savard in on

the details of what had happened.

“Is there any chance you mightve been mistaken for someone else?

Savard asked.

Cam shook her head. “Doubtful. The streets were pret y empty because

of the weather, so I expect the vehicle fol owed me from here. Im tal er

than Blair and I wasnt wearing a hat, so my face and hair were

visible. Its unlikely anyone would mistake me for her.

“Even so, is there any specific reason that you think Ms. Powel

might have been a possible target? Stark asked careful y.

“None, other than al the usual reasons, Cam said grimly, pleased that