Honor Under Siege

Renée stepped away, toweled of , and pul ed the robe from the back

of the door. Shrugging into it, she grasped Paulas hand and walked

back into the bedroom. As she opened the dresser and extracted clean

clothes, she said, “Did someone contact the Coast Guard about Valeries

boat?

“Mac is doing

that.

“Whats our cover

story?

“Were tel ing them it was a DEA surveil ance operation and

the engine on one of the boats caught fire. All personnel

evacuated to another vessel, and there were no casualties.

Because of the sensitive nature of the operation, we cant

provide any further details.

Renée grinned and pul ed on dry jeans. “Nice. Your

idea? Paula flushed. “Yeah.

“I never knew you were so sneaky. Renée found a dark

green cable-knit sweater and pul ed it over her head. Then she

wrapped her arms around Paulas shoulders and kissed her.

“Ill have to remember that in the future.

“I didnt want you to discover all my tricks before you were in

too deep to escape me.

“Oh, you neednt worry, Renée murmured. “Theres no chance of

me going anywhere.

* * * * *

Blair jerked awake and bolted upright. Cam was no longer

lying next to her but sat with her legs dangling over the side of

the bed.

“Where do you think youre going? Blair asked

sharply. “I want to check on Valerie.

“Get back in bed, Cameron. They were alone. A fire

burned vigorously in the fireplace, throwing a hot red glow

throughout the room. Blair gripped Cams wrist. “I mean itand Im

not in the mood to argue.

Cam, nude except for the sheet bunched at her waist, shifted

to look down at Blair. “Just for a second. I only need

“You need some decent rest and to recover from nearly

drowning out there. Blair grasped her shoulders. “You dont get

it, do you?

Youre not indestructible. And you wont be any good to them,

any of them, if youre too weak or injured to function. If you

dont care about me, think about them.

Cam blinked, her face registering her shock. “You think I

dont care about you? Is that what you think? Gently, she

tangled her fingers in Blairs hair and kissed her, softly, first

her mouth, then the angle of her jaw, then her eyes. “I thought

Valerie was dead. I thought I was dying, too. But I knew I

couldnt, because of you. Youre all I thought about. Youre

everything I live for.

“Dont. Blair pul ed Cam down on top of her and drew the

covers over them. She caressed Cams back with both hands,

slowly stroking the sleek skin and elegant curve of muscle

and bone. “Dont try to melt my heart. Its not going to work this

time.

“All right, Cam said softly. “Im sorry. Im sorry for

frightening you. She kissed Blairs neck and settled her head

on Blairs shoulder. “I couldnt let her die, Blair.

“No, Blair whispered. “Of course you couldnt. She sighed.

“What happened to Henry?

“Hes dead. I ordered Donaldson to take him

out. Blair stiffened. “Are you all right?

“It had to be done. The boat was about to go up and he was in

danger of shooting

“Darling, you dont have to explain that to me. If you gave the order, it

was the right thing to do.

“You believe in me that

much?

“More. Blair cupped Cams jaw. “I trust your judgment, just like al of

them do. I can only imagine what it takes for you to make those

decisions and give those orders, and maybe everyone else needs to

believe that its easy for you to do, but I know dif erently. She cupped

Cams chin, tilted her head up, and kissed her firmly but gently on the

mouth. “If you hurt, I want to know. If you need a shoulder, I have one

for you. I cant be on the front line the way you are, but Im part of this

fight just the same.

“Thank you, Cam whispered. “Ive never understood more clearly than

I did tonight that you are my strength.

Silence ensued, then Blair said with a sigh, “Five minutes,

Cameron.

“What?

Cam

said.

“You can see Valerie for five

minutes.

Cam stirred, raising herself on her elbow to study Blairs face.

“Why?

“Because you wont rest until you do, and because the others need to see

that youre al right. As wonderful as each of them may be, you are the

force that holds them together. Blair pushed the covers aside. “Lets

get up. Il help you dress.

* * * * *

Diane finished set ling a log on the fire and turned at the sound of

the door slowly opening. Absently she cinched the sash on her robe.

“We didnt knock because we didnt want to wake her, Blair whispered

as she and Cam stepped inside.

“Thats al right. Its good to see you. Diane touched Cams arm. “Are

you al right?

“Fine. Hows she doing? Cam asked quietly. She wore old khakis

and a sweatshirt, and loosely clasped Blairs hand.

“Im not sure, Diane admit ed, pushing her hair away from her face.

“Shes stil asleep.

“Diane? Valerie mut ered, twisting from side to side and dislodging the