Meeting Danger (Danger #1) (16 page)

• • •

Camden had calmed down by the time he pulled out his phone and dialed Grayson later in the day. Logically, he knew his friend and partner was only doing his job.

“Where are you?” he asked.

“On my way back to DC,” Grayson said, his tone cool.

“Listen, I’m sorry about this morning.”

There was silence for a few seconds before Grayson said, “I’ve never seen you like that, man.”

“No, I guess you haven’t.”

“I don’t want her getting between us.”

“Autumn’s not between us. And for the record, she’d help us if she knew anything.”

More silence. If skepticism were audible, Camden was hearing it now. Camden and Grayson had dated women over the years, but every relationship had been casual. For both of them, nothing had come close to competing with the job. Or putting a crimp into their friendship.

Not that what Camden and Autumn had was a relationship, but she was important to him. And there was no denying the fact that he felt protective of her.

“Eli and I talked after you left,” Grayson said. “We’re at a complete dead end.”

Camden sighed. “I know it.”

“All those months you worked this case . . .”

“We’re going to have them on kidnapping and assault charges, at the very least. And we’ll find out who Paxton is and whether the Wicked Disciples had anything to do with his death.”

“None of that matters unless we find Cobb and the other brothers.”

“We’ll find them. And we’ll figure out where the drugs are coming from too. I can feel it. Hale Lewis is still our best shot. Cobb never confided in Autumn, but he did confide in Lewis.”

“Well, he’s not talking.”

“I guess he isn’t.” Camden set the investigation aside for a moment. “Listen, I didn’t get to ask about your mom. Have the rest of the results come in?”

“They have. They still can’t find anything wrong.”

“That’s good, right?” Why did Grayson still sound unhappy?

“Not if she still feels bad.”

“I’m sorry,” Camden said slowly. “I thought she was feeling better.”

Grayson sighed. “It comes and goes.”

“She’s okay by herself?”

“For now.” Grayson didn’t offer any more and changed the subject back to the investigation. “We’ll try Lewis again.”

Typical Gray.
Whatever was going on with his mother had obviously contributed to the stress Camden had witnessed that day. But he didn’t press his friend.

They ended their conversation a minute later and Camden went back downstairs. Autumn was sitting on the sofa.

“What are you watching?”

“The news.” She held out the remote. “Did you want to watch something?”

He put a hand up so she’d keep the remote and took a seat beside her. “Grayson’s worried about his mother. That’s why he was so hard on you today.”

She shrugged. “I understand.”

“Well, I didn’t appreciate it.”

As gratitude filled Autumn’s eyes, Camden had to resist sliding a finger down her cheek. He settled for taking her hand. “Are you doing okay?”

“I’m fine,” she said with a shrug.

She wasn’t, though. “What is it?”

For a long moment, she studied him. “It’s that list Grayson showed me.”

Camden struggled to recall what she meant. “The list of club members?”

After she nodded, he waited for her to continue. When she didn’t, he squeezed her hand. “It’s okay to tell me what’s bothering you.”

She looked down at her lap. “I’m pathetic,” she whispered. “That’s what’s bothering me.”

Camden stroked her knuckles with his thumb. “Why in the world would you say something like that?”

“That list . . .” A few more seconds went by before she met his gaze. “I couldn’t read it.”

As he frowned in confusion, she jerked her hand away and stood, moving away from the sofa. “I can’t read.”

Camden’s heart tugged at the look of shame he’d seen on her face.

She can’t read at all?
Looking back, though, it would explain a few things, including how afraid she’d been after he’d gotten his hair cut. Autumn had seen his note; she just hadn’t been able to read it.

He stood and moved beside her as his mind whirled. “It’s okay, Autumn.”

But why can’t she read? A learning disability?

“How far did you get in school?”

Still turned away from him, she shook her head. “I never went. My mother taught me when I was little, but after she died . . .”

Camden took in a deep breath. The pieces were beginning to form a clearer picture now, and Autumn’s lack of identification made sense. For whatever reason, her parents had kept her off the grid.

He moved in front of her, tilted up her chin, and gazed into her eyes. “Don’t worry. We’ll get you some help.”

But what was the best way to do that? He glanced at his computer. “The Internet should have a lot of material. I’ll see what I can download.”

She blinked up at him and he gave her a smile. “It’s going to be all right, Autumn. You can trust me.”

It had been so long ago for him, Camden couldn’t remember how he learned to read, so for the next hour, he researched the process of teaching adults to read. He read in depth about phonics, sight words, and reading materials.

As the pages printed, he looked across the room. Autumn was seated on the sofa again. The news was still on, but she wasn’t watching it. Instead, she stared blankly at the screen. The numb expression on her face made his heart hurt for her.

After dinner that night, Autumn was wary as Camden ushered her back to the kitchen table and pulled out a seat for her.

“I printed a few things out I’d like to show you,” he said as she seated herself. “Can you read at all?”

“No.” Embarrassment heated her face as he took a seat across from her.

While she appreciated that Camden wanted to help, the fact that he had to teach her something so basic, something six-year-olds could do, made her feel helpless. How was it that even as an adult she was pathetic?

She didn’t want Camden—or anyone else—to have to take care of her. The last thing she wanted was to be his responsibility. What she wanted more than anything, had prayed for since she was a teen, was independence.

He took out a sheet of paper and set it in front of her. “Do you know any of the letters?”

Oh God, I can’t do this.
She glanced at the page, not wanting to admit again that she knew absolutely nothing.

And what was going to happen here? What did Camden have planned? For her to sit in front of him as she struggled to sound out words? It was beyond embarrassing to even imagine.

Tears stung her eyes, and she quickly covered her face with her hands.

“Autumn . . .” Camden’s chair scraped the floor, and his strong arms came around her. “Shhh . . . it’s okay.”

He drew her to his chest and she didn’t resist. His next words were almost as if he’d read her mind.

“Maybe I’m not the best person to teach you.”

His arms tightened and Autumn gave in, sinking into the comfort of his warmth.

When she finally moved out of his embrace, he studied her, his gaze filled with concern.

“I’m sorry.” She swiped a hand across her wet cheeks.

“I’m not. I’m really glad you told me.”

She swallowed hard.

“There’s a program at the library. I’m going to get more information.”

The need to fully unburden herself tightened Autumn’s chest, making it difficult to breathe. “There’s something else I need to tell you.”

Camden raised his brow in a silent signal for her to continue.

Autumn studied him. Could she do this?
Yes,
she could
. She had to.

“If Butch and the brothers hadn’t gone to the meeting that night, I’m not sure I would have been able to help you.”

Camden tilted his head back and looked toward the ceiling. When his gaze met hers again, there was understanding in his eyes. He knew exactly what she was saying. But instead of the anger she’d expected to see, his expression was compassionate.

“You were terrified of him. I understand that.”

Instead of easing, her guilt grew. Why couldn’t he see it? She was a coward and didn’t deserve his forgiveness.

Slowly she shook her head. “It’s no excuse.”

“Listen, Autumn, it’s not going to do any good to let your mind go there. Holding on to regrets and second-guessing yourself won’t do anyone any good. I know that from personal experience, and someday I’ll tell you about it.” He reached out and lifted her chin, forcing her gaze to meet his. “The fact is, you saved my life.”

She opened her mouth to disagree with him, but before she could speak, he went on.

“He beat you down,” he said softly, and her eyes widened. “Don’t think I don’t know that. And I don’t just mean physically. But he didn’t break you, Autumn. Despite everything, he didn’t succeed.”

She shook her head, overwhelmed at his kindness and the emotions it evoked in her.

“You’re strong,” he said, “and someday you’re going to believe that too.”

She closed her eyes. Why was he making this so easy? He should get mad at her. Yell. Do anything other than lavish her with kindness and sympathy. She didn’t deserve it.

“You risked your own life to save me. I’ll never forget that.”

Once again, Camden pulled her into his arms. This time he hugged her even tighter, whispering how he understood everything. Fresh tears slipped down her cheeks and she let them, ignoring them in order to revel in the feel of his strong arms around her, holding her, comforting her.

When they finally separated, he asked, “Feel any better?”

She nodded.

“Then I’d like to see that dimple.”

It was the last thing she expected to hear. As a laugh burst from her mouth, he grinned back at her.

“That’s my girl.”

She studied him for a moment, looking up into his amber eyes. How was it that he never got angry, never lost his temper? How was he so kind? He was different from every man she’d ever known.

Even the night he’d been kidnapped and beaten, he’d remained calm. And unlike Butch, who’d wanted her fully dependent on him, Camden was just the opposite. He wanted to teach her things, to help her grow and become self-sufficient. He even seemed to get pleasure out of it.

What she felt for him went beyond gratitude. She was enthralled with him. Inside and out, Camden Taylor was a beautiful man.

And she totally didn’t deserve him.

When Autumn walked into the kitchen the next morning, she found Camden at the stove.

“Making breakfast again?” she asked.

“Yes.” He stopped what he was doing to gaze at her. “How are you doing?”

“Fine.” She continued watching him, hoping he wouldn’t comment on the night before. It was beyond embarrassing to even think about the breakdown she’d had.

But Camden didn’t bring it up. Instead he gave her a nod and turned back to the eggs he was cooking.

“What time do you usually get up?”

He gave her a smile. “Early.”

Autumn glanced outside. It was barely light out now. “You’re a morning person.”

“When I’m not laid up in bed? Yeah, I guess you could say that I am.” He dished some eggs out for her and brought them over to the table. “Listen, I’ve got a checkup scheduled for today, and I was thinking we could both go in. You can get more of the shots you need.”

She must have grimaced, because he smiled again. “Sounds like fun, huh?”

She gave a wry smile back. “Yeah.”

• • •

He drove them downtown later in the morning and they entered a first-floor medical office. Camden spoke with the receptionist seated behind a glass partition.

“Is that your paperwork from the hospital, Mr. Taylor?”

“Yes.” Camden handed the pages over before putting a hand on Autumn’s shoulder. “And she’s here for some shots.”

The woman accepted Autumn’s booklet before getting up from her seat to open the door separating her from the waiting area. “Follow me.”

When Autumn didn’t move, Camden said, “She means both of us. We’ll go in together.”

Autumn nodded and then followed him into an exam room.

“I’ll make sure the doctor sees these.” The receptionist held up Camden’s papers. “In the meantime, you can take off your shirt, Mr. Taylor. The doctor should be in shortly.”

After the door closed, Camden began unbuttoning his shirt. Autumn caught a glimpse of his smooth skin and sucked in a breath. If he was taking off his clothes, then she didn’t belong in there.

She took a step toward the door. “I’ll just wait outside.”

“Why?” He finished unbuttoning his shirt, sucking in a sharp breath before he dragged it off his shoulders.

Forgetting her discomfort, Autumn moved toward him. “Do you need some help?” He’d been self-sufficient these last few days, but it was clear that his injuries still pained him.

But he shook his head. “I’ve got it.” He tugged his shirt the rest of the way off and set it beside him on the examining table. Autumn quickly averted her gaze from his perfect six-pack.

A minute later, there was a knock on the door. A white-haired doctor entered carrying an electronic tablet. He nodded politely before he finished scanning what he was reading, probably Camden’s medical records.

“Mr. Taylor,” he said cheerfully. “How are you feeling?”

“Better.”

“I reviewed your hospital paperwork. It was mainly your ribs that were injured, correct?”

“That’s right.”

“Let’s take a look, shall we?”

The doctor set down his tablet before moving to the exam table. As he began prodding Camden’s chest, Camden let out a groan and Autumn bit her lip.

“Still tender then?” The doctor took a step back.

Camden met Autumn’s gaze, giving her a smile as he answered the doctor’s question. “They are.”

The doctor moved back to the counter. “Well, they’re healing nicely. You’re very lucky. Your chest could have been disfigured from breaks like the ones you had.” He typed something into his tablet. “What pain medication have you been taking?”

“They gave me Oxycodone, but I haven’t had any since the day I got out of the hospital.”