She felt tears on her face. “Oh, Trevor. We wasted so much time. It hurts that you aren’t here,” she whispered. A cold nose touched her outstretched arm. “Thank you, Maverick. You’re the bridge between us, aren’t you?”
An eerie moan, followed closely by a shout of “No!” had her up and moving. She opened her bedroom door, and she and Maverick ran down the hallway to the guest room.
She pulled open the door and saw Rob thrashing and fighting the covers. “Rob! Are you okay?” In the light from the hallway, she could see that his eyes were open, but he didn’t seem to recognize her. “Rob! Wake up!” She reached out and shook his shoulder and gasped when he grabbed her and pulled her down. His face contorted with a snarl, and he pinned her shoulders to the mattress with his hands.
“Rob! Stop! It’s me, MJ!”
He shook his head, and she saw when it registered because his eyes widened. He looked down where he’d grabbed her, and he scrambled off the bed.
“Oh, my God. MJ. What have I done?” He shook his head wildly from side to side. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. She knew what had happened. She’d heard of soldiers suffering from PTSD going into a dissociated state during a flashback and hurting those they loved. Why hadn’t he told her? It wasn’t only Maverick that had PTSD; Rob did, too.
“I’m so sorry, MJ. Did I hurt you? Oh, my God. I’ll never forgive myself if I hurt you. Tell me the truth,” he pleaded.
“I’m okay, Rob. You didn’t hurt me. You scared me, though. Was it a flashback?”
“I don’t know. I was dreaming, I think.”
“Can you remember what it was about?” she asked.
He was silent for several minutes. “I was back in Afghanistan on patrol, and we got ambushed by the Taliban. They killed most of my unit and took the rest of us to an outpost where they put us into a prison. More like a dungeon. There were four of us. They’d take one of us out every day, and question us, torture us. I was trying to break free. I must have thought you were one of them. God, I attacked you, didn’t I? Oh, MJ. I’m so sorry!”
“I shouldn’t have tried to touch you. I should have known better.” She looked down to search his face. “Why didn’t you tell me you had PTSD?”
He turned his head, as if he wasn’t able to look at her. “I’m so sorry, MJ. I should have, but I was too ashamed. I hoped it would go away, and you’d never have to see me like this.”
She felt a ball of anger in her stomach. “Damn it, Rob. You don’t have control over how your mind processes the things you experienced. I would never blame you for having PTSD. It isn’t something a person can control. It isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s just one of the unfortunate things that happen when people are exposed to intense situations. It isn’t something you have to hide!” She turned away from him.
“Don’t go, MJ. Don’t be mad. I’m sorry. Really, I am. I just figured you’d been through enough.”
She turned back, her hands on her hips. “Well, you hurt my feelings by not telling me. It’s as if you think I won’t accept you as you are. Jeez, Rob. Do you really think so little of me?” Tears started, and she brushed them roughly off her cheek.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to be a burden. You have enough to deal with. I didn’t want to add to it.”
“Well, from now on, I expect you to treat me like I have a backbone. Don’t treat me as if I’m some fragile flower. How do you expect us to have a relationship if you don’t trust me?”
“You still want to have a relationship with me despite this?”
She rolled her eyes. Lord, save her from stupid men. Okay. His heart was in the right place, but really, couldn’t he give her some credit?
“Yes, Rob. I want to see where this goes between us. I told you that. Having a flashback or nightmare won’t chase me away.”
Maverick stuck his head between them and looked back and forth with worried eyes.
“We’re scaring him with our fighting,” Rob said. “Va bene, Maverick.”
“This isn’t fighting. This is an argument. I have to set you straight. I’m not some fragile flower. I’m a strong, independent woman with a warrior dog. I can handle just about anything you dish out. Get that through your head, mister.”
“Okay. I get it.” He gave her a slight grin. “You know, this version of you is sexy, MJ. All angry and puffed up with righteous indignation.”
“Don’t you forget it!”
“Will you let me hold you? I think I could use a hug.”
Rolling her eyes again, she agreed. “I think we both need a hug.” She stepped toward him and together they sank down onto the mattress to lie together.
“Come here,” he ordered.
She moved closer until she felt his arms tighten around her. She let out a breath and relaxed into him.
“Thank you,” she heard him mumble. He pressed a kiss against her cheek, and relaxed, as they clung to each other. For at least an hour, they lay in each other’s arms, neither saying a word, letting the adrenaline fade. Gradually, she felt her muscles relax.
***
Rob heard MJ’s breathing deepen, signaling she’d finally fallen asleep. He remained keyed up from the nightmare. The dream had been so vivid. He’d felt the dread of waiting to be pulled from their dark cell, and his body ached, almost as if he’d really been beaten and tortured. Trevor had been with him in the dream, and he hadn’t been in good shape. Rusty and Kyle were
