Colby Agency: Guardian Of The Night Part 18

She raked her fingers through her hair and expelled an exasperated breath. Lucas was safe. Victoria was safe. Noah wasn't out there alone. And the dark was certainly his ally. She supposed she should be thankful.

"We're coming in," Logan's voice suddenly echoed in her ear. "We lost him."

Blue looked from Maverick to Simon and back. They'd all heard the same thing.

Leberman had gotten away.

No team wanted to fail...but to know that kind of sick mind was on the loose made Blue nauseous. Without Leberman they would probably never find out who had helped him learn about Noah and his condition or Rothman's connection to Lucas. There would be at least one more unknown enemy...unless it was the general. And that was highly improbable.

An abrupt pounding on the front door jerked her attention in that direction.

Maverick and Simon were next to her in a heartbeat, weapons drawn and engaged.

"That could be him," Simon said from between clenched teeth. The tone he used left no doubt what he'd like to do to the man if he was on the other side of that door.

Blue moved forward, but Maverick held her back. "Take a position to the left of the door," he instructed quietly. He inclined his head toward Simon. "You step into the parlor there in case we need backup."

Both obeyed the older man without question or pause.

Maverick walked noiselessly to the door. He peered through the viewfinder, then drew back. He gestured for Blue to take a look.

She closed one eye and squinted through the small peephole, surveying the man who stood on the dimly lit porch. He wore a cla.s.sic gray suit and wire-rimmed eyegla.s.ses.

Edgar Rothman.

She recognized him from a photo she'd seen in Noah's profile. She'd completely forgotten that he was on his way. It was about time. It was a good thing Noah hadn't needed him after all.

"It's Rothman," she whispered to Maverick.

"You're sure it's him?" he whispered back.

She thought about that for a moment, recalling the group photo in the case file.

Rothman pounded on the door again.

"It's him. He's just late."

"All right."

Maverick jerked his head toward the left of the door. She resumed her position there. He rolled his head, stretching out his neck, then unlocked and opened the door in one swift, smooth motion.

"Where's-"

Before Rothman could complete his question, Maverick yanked him inside and shoved him against the door, closing it with the frightened scientist's body weight. "Turn around and spread 'em, buddy," he ordered.

Rothman adopted a look of disdain. "I beg your pardon?"

Maverick whirled him around, pressing his jaw against the polished wood, and quickly frisked him. He didn't care for the scientific type. Especially one that kept him waiting.

"This is an outrage!"

Blue almost laughed. This guy had to be on the up-and-up. No self-respecting bad guy would make that kind of statement.

"Sorry, Mr. Rothman," Maverick said after checking his ID, and clearly not sorry at all. "Just had to be sure."

His gla.s.ses askew, Rothman turned around slowly and glared from one to the other. He quickly straightened his eyewear. "You don't know what a time I had getting here. And that truck I rented from some guy at that BullDog bar, well, let me tell you, the drive over was harrowing. The fellow who owned it claimed he was too far into the bottle to drive. Pitched me the keys for a mere twenty dollars." He glared at Maverick. "Are there any more indignities I should expect?" Not waiting for an answer, he turned his attention back to Blue. "How is Noah?"

"Much better," she a.s.sured him.

"I'd like to see him now, please." Rothman adjusted his jacket and shot another irritable look at Maverick. "I apologize for the delay. Flights were backed up for hours in D.C."

Blue didn't doubt that. Her own flight here had been delayed in addition to the annoying baggage checks. "He's not here right now, Mr. Rothman. But he'll be back any moment. He's with the rest of my team."

He looked taken aback, but rebounded swiftly enough. "I was under the impression he needed medical attention." He shook his head before Blue could answer as if the whole situation was more than he wanted to attempt comprehending. "I also want to try and persuade him to try the new antidote I've developed."

Blue's gaze riveted to his. "New antidote?"

He nodded. "If my conclusions are correct, as I'm convinced they are, this will reverse all side effects related to the implant."

Hope burgeoned in Blue's chest. If he could do that...

Noah would have his life back.

Chapter Fourteen.

By four a.m., Logan, Ferrelli and Maverick had headed for the mainland. Max and Simon, her new Colby Agency friends, had said their goodbyes as well. Noah and Rothman were in the parlor going back and forth as to whether or not the antidote was worth the risk.

Chester had made a pot of strong coffee and was hanging out in the kitchen per Blue's request. She'd need a way to leave when the time came.

And that time was almost upon her.

The threat to Noah, apparently, had never existed. Leberman was nowhere to be found. Though the mouth of the cave where it opened onto the beach had been closed off by steel bars when Noah first discovered its existence, now there was a gate and a key. Leberman had uncovered Noah's secret and made himself a duplicate key, probably months ago. Mission Recovery and the Colby Agency planned to set up a special joint task force to try and run him down.

General Regan Bonner had apparently disappeared. No further intel had come in regarding any untoward activities on his part. There was nothing else here for Blue to do. Noah had to make it clear to Director Casey that he required no protection. Blue strongly disagreed, but she couldn't force him to accept her help.

Victoria had called and given an update on Lucas, he was in stable condition. Casey had informed Logan that Ramon's condition had been upgraded to stable. Ramon had regained consciousness and there appeared to be no brain damage.

A locksmith would come to the island later in the day to install new locks on all the doors and windows in Noah's house. Casey had suggested a security company who could install an advanced system, which would be monitored and offered cutting-edge technology. But the man who wouldn't admit that he needed a bodyguard wasn't likely to own up to needing that kind of additional security.

Not even now, after all he'd been through.

Chester had agreed to take up the slack for Noah until he could hire a new a.s.sistant.

Noah apparently didn't need her in any capacity.

Hurt speared Blue's heart at the thought, but it was true. Why would he need her around? He could take care of himself. She'd seen that firsthand. Had the threat not come from within his own home, no one could have touched him.

Despite his debilitating condition, Noah was a strong man and quite capable of protecting himself as long as he wasn't exposed to bright light.

Even that might be about to change. Blue moved through the doorway into the parlor to see if the two had reached any sort of agreement.

"You're still only offering fifty-fifty odds, Edgar," Noah countered. "That's no better than what you offered before."

"There's a difference this time," Edgar argued. He paced behind the sofa facing Noah's position in the matching armchair. "True, I can only offer you a fifty-fifty chance the serum will work. However, this time the possibility of side effects is reduced to less than ten percent. You can try it without any real risk to speak of."

Sounded reasonable to Blue, but then she wasn't the one facing the ten-percent possibility that her brain's ability to function would be damaged by the new serum. Despite the hurt tearing her apart inside, her heart went out to Noah. She studied his handsome features, that chiseled face and those broad, strong shoulders. She would never forget how it felt to be held in those capable arms...or how skilled a lover he was. Instantly, her body reacted to the thought. She quickly focused her attention elsewhere. She would be leaving shortly. It was pointless to torture herself by considering what could have been or wis.h.i.+ng things could be different. Noah Drake had been her a.s.signment, falling for him wasn't anyone's fault but her own.

Noah looked straight at Blue then. "We have to talk-privately."

Edgar paused in his incessant pacing. "I'm certain I smell coffee brewing, perhaps I'll take a short break in the kitchen."

Noah nodded, clearly thankful for the reprieve. Edgar Rothman had no intention of taking no for an answer.

When he'd gone, Noah stood and moved toward her. Even the way he walked disrupted the rhythm of her heart. How would she ever get over this man?

"So, what do you think?" he asked, that dark gaze at once tender and penetrating.

She folded her arms over her chest to prevent herself from reaching out and touching him. She wanted so desperately to do just that. But leaving was going to be hard enough without the reminder of how her body responded to his. She had to remember that he wanted her to go. Their lives were so different, even she had to admit that.

"With the reduced risk, it's doable, I think." She hesitated, deeply appreciating his asking for her opinion, but at the same time afraid to be the one responsible for his trying what might prove detrimental to his well-being. "But, Noah," she searched those dark depths, aching to hold him and pretend nothing else mattered at the moment "this is a decision that you have to make on your own. It's your life."

She didn't add that she wanted desperately to share it with him...to be there every morning when he opened his eyes. How had she let that happen?

He nodded, the movement a barely discernible up-and-down motion. "I suppose you're impatient to be on your way. There's probably another mission waiting for you already."

She tried to read the flash of emotion in his eyes, but couldn't. Was it regret? Most likely not. She had no place in his world...just as her world left no margin for this kind of commitment.

She almost told him that she could take a few days off with Casey's blessing. The suggestion had been her director's, in fact. But that would sound like a plea to stay. She wouldn't do that. If Noah wanted her to stay, he would ask. Even then it would only be temporary...and make leaving all the more difficult.

"Yeah. I should be going. Chester's waiting." She hitched a thumb toward the door. "I'll just go gather my things."

She turned away, praying he wouldn't notice the tears in her eyes. She didn't want him to see her cry. Dammit. It was bad enough she had to know it.

"Wait." He wrapped those long, strong fingers around her arm, staying her departure. "I want you to know how much-"

"You don't have to say anything, Noah." She cut off what would most likely be an attempt at thanks. A thank-you was not what she needed to hear. "It was my job."

She walked away, leaving him to think what he would. It would be better for both of them if they remembered that her being here had been a job... nothing more.

Maybe she could fool Noah, but nothing she said or did would fool her own heart.

NOAH WATCHED her go, knowing that the words she said were as far from the truth as could be. He'd heard the hurt in her voice...had seen the brightness of her eyes. She didn't want to go any more than he wanted her to, but it was the only way.

For now.

If there was any chance Edgar's new serum would work, Noah had to try. If he could get his life back there might just be hope for the two of them. Despite the risk involved, he would do this.

He would do it for her.

Noah went in search of Edgar. He might as well give him the news right away. The man teetered on the edge of outright hysteria. He seemed to want so desperately to right the wrong he felt solely responsible for.

After several minutes of discussion, Edgar announced that they should retire to the parlor for him to begin the treatment. He'd already set up a makes.h.i.+ft work area there shortly after arriving, according to Blue.

Noah only shook his head as he followed Edgar into the entry hall.

"I'm ready to go."

Noah turned at the sound of Blue's voice. She slowly descended the stairs, two duffel bags in tow. He met her at the foot of the staircase to relieve her of the bags, but Chester b.u.t.ted in.

"I'll take care of those, Mr. Drake," he insisted.

Noah relented since he'd rather spend his final moments with Blue without anything in the way.

She turned to Edgar and extended her hand. "Good bye, Mr. Rothman. I hope the serum works."

He shook her hand. "I'm certain it will."

She turned to Noah then, and his heart lurched. She offered her hand. "Take care, Noah. I wish you all the best."

He looked at her hand a moment, then reached past it and pulled her close. He kissed her hard on the mouth, forcing her to acknowledge what she wanted to deny...she wanted him still. They needed each other...wanted each other.

Her fingers fisted in his s.h.i.+rt and she kissed him back, confessing to all his heart already knew.

Then she pulled away and stared up at him, her lips trembling. "Good bye, Noah."

She followed Chester out the door without a backward glance.

Noah watched until the taillights of the old truck had disappeared from sight, then he closed and locked the door out of habit.

"Will she be back?" Edgar asked, standing only a few feet behind him.

Noah faced him, anger and pain exploding inside him. "Unless your serum works, I don't want her to come back. I would live the rest of my life alone before I would sentence her to this."

"Let's begin," Edgar suggested meekly.

Noah settled into a chair next to Edgar's prepared table. An IV pole stood behind the chair. Within a couple of minutes Edgar had inserted the IV needle into Noah's right arm and started the intravenous drip. The serum would be injected in two doses within five minutes of each other. Edgar had explained that it wasn't safe to inject it directly.

Noah closed his eyes and took a deep breath. This is for you, Maggie Callahan. He allowed snippets of the time they'd shared to flash quickly through the private theater of his mind and then he relaxed fully. "Let's do it," he said to Edgar, opening his eyes and settling his gaze on the other man's.

Edgar injected the first syringe full of serum via the intravenous line. Noah felt the burn as it entered his bloodstream. He tensed only for a moment, then forced himself to relax once more.

"How are you doing?" Edgar asked.