Honor Under Siege

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