Broken rib. At least she wasn’t dead. It didn’t mean there was no reason to be concerned.
When they got on a plane and headed home, they’d be in the air for hours. If something happened while they were over the ocean they wouldn’t be able to help her. But the longer she remained in Kurdistan, the more determined the attackers became. Maybe that was the answer, get her out of the country and then get medical care.
Riley glanced over his shoulder and into the rest of the station. Grant and Melody had their heads together with a couple officers, everyone nodding in unison as a middleman translated. Funny, it was Riley Grant was pissed at. Not Melody.
The local law enforcement had been quick and efficient in transporting them to the station and taking statements. The language barrier wasn’t all that bad. Most of the younger officers spoke enough English, and there were at least half a dozen officers who were on a first name basis with Grant and the others.
Clearly, he and Erin had missed a lot they needed to get caught up on.
Erin slid to her feet and offered her right hand to the medic before the man packed up his things.
“Well? You going to live?” Riley asked.
“Shut up.” She took a step toward him and leaned her cheek on his chest.
Riley fought the urge to wrap his arms around her. His insides shook, sending an uncomfortable sense of panic through him.
He could have lost her. And that mattered.
Close calls made a man realize the important things. What was worth holding onto. Things he wished he’d taken a chance on.
Riley closed his eyes.
It was the stress talking. That was it. For her sake, they needed distance
He liked Erin. He’d liked her the moment he saw the picture of her with that crooked smile. But it didn’t mean they were anything special to each other.
“Melody wanted to update us when you were done. You up for that?” He curled his hands into fists to keep from smoothing her unruly curls, and instead, took a step back.
“Yeah. I’m ready for some damn answers.” Erin frowned up at him and pressed a hand to her ribs.
It was better this way.
“Hurt?” he asked.
“Only when I breathe.”
“Oh, then you should be fine.”
“Jackass.” One side of her mouth hitched up, and she chuckled.
“Where?” He glanced over his shoulder and tried his best to smother the voice telling him to hold onto her.
“I can’t with you right now.” Her smile slowly turned into a frown, complete with furrowed brow and an intense stare. “What’s the matter? You’ve been weird ever since we got here.”
Riley glanced at the door and wished Grant or Melody would pop in.
“Riley, talk to me.” Erin grasped his hand and tugged.
“You almost died because I was too busy thinking about the wrong things.” Namely her. The time he wanted to spend with her. What he wanted to do. He’d fucked up, and it’d very nearly cost them their lives.
“We’re fine,” she said.
“We can’t risk close calls like that.” He pulled his hand from hers. “I think it’s best if I focus on my job.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“I mean...this has been fun, but this is interfering with my job.”
“You couldn’t anticipate a sniper.”
“I shouldn’t have let you distract me. From the beginning I’ve let you use me to forget, and that’s not helping either of us.”
Erin took a step back and held up her hands. “From what I remember you were an active participant. I didn’t make you do anything you didn’t already want to do. Don’t you dare put this on me.”
“You’re right, I did. And that was wrong.” Even if it had felt good. And right.
“Fuck you and the high horse you rode in on. Get out of here.”
“I’ll see if Melody is available. She can get you come clothes so you can clean up before we leave.” Riley turned and strode to the door. He could feel Erin’s gaze like daggers in his back.
This was the right thing to do.
He stuck his head out the door and glanced around for the other guys on his team, but they were nowhere to be seen. Grant was intent in his conversation with the cops, but Melody glanced his way. He thumbed over his shoulder and Melody nodded.
From here on out it would probably be a better idea if Melody stuck close to Erin. Riley hadn’t screwed up, but his priorities weren’t aligned with his team.
Melody strode toward the door, her smile cooling by degrees. By the time she reached Riley she was practically scowling.
“What did you do?” Melody stopped outside the door, pitching her voice at a whisper.
“Nothing.”
“Then why do you look guilty?” Her gaze searched his face.
Riley glanced away.
What he’d told Erin was for her own good. She didn’t need him in her life. She’d been very clear about what she wanted. And he’d allowed himself to get distracted. At worst she’d have a sleepless night or two before she was home and someone else’s responsibility. In the long run, he didn’t matter to her, so it was for the best that he kept his attention on the job.
“Move.” Melody stepped through the door, her smile amped up to a ten. “Erin, I’m glad to see you’re doing okay. What did the paramedics say?”
Riley hovered in the door. He should go. There was never a reason for him to be here, but he couldn’t make his feet walk away.
Erin stared at the ground, ignoring him. He’d bruised her pride, and for that he was sorry. But this was all for her own good.
“Fractured or broken rib, it’s hard to tell.” Erin leaned a hip against the table and crossed her arms over her chest.
“I’m so sorry that happened.”
“I’m alive, right?” Erin glanced at Riley. She said the words with venom.
“And we’re going to keep you that way,
