A Bid for Love by Rachel Ann Nunes Page B

fine, but I was sleeping. Come back tomorrow.”
    “I can’t. I need to make sure you’re okay.”
    “Of course I’m okay.”
    “Then open the door and let me see.”
    Cassi remembered Linden’s warnings, and her heart began to thud heavily. “I’m not dressed.”
    “Well, put on some clothes, for heaven’s sake! I’ll wait.” His voice clearly showed frustration and impatience. “But I’m not leaving until you open the door. Even if I have to kick it down or get hotel security here to open it.” He was silent a minute then added, “Please, Cassi. I was attacked when I went to my room—by two men with guns. They said something about the Buddha. I was worried they might come here because we were together this evening. Is that why you’re not opening the door? Are they there now? I swear if you don’t open the door, I’m calling the police.”
    His voice sounded so worried that Cassi’s own fear subsided. Throwing on her robe, she unlocked the door, leaving the upper locking bar still in place. She cracked the door and saw Jared outside waiting anxiously, and she gasped when she saw his bruised and battered face. He was dressed in the same outfit he’d worn earlier, except that now a Levi jacket topped his shirt. His eyes were even more startling than before against the dark blue color of the jacket.
    Cassi closed the door again and unhooked the top bar, hoping that her impulsiveness wasn’t getting her into trouble. “Come in,” she said.
    “Thanks.” His eyes traveled over her robe, and Cassi’s face burned, though the two layers of silk gave her enough coverage. His eyes also roamed over her hair, and she wondered if he noticed how disheveled it was. Jared turned his gaze momentarily to the sleeping children before he began searching the apartment, with Cassi staring after him. He wasn’t satisfied until every possible hiding place had been inspected, including under the beds, the closet, and the bathroom.
    “I’ll wait outside until morning,” he said when he’d finished, not looking at her directly. Cassi had the distinct feeling that he was embarrassed.
    “What if they come back and jump you again?”
    He opened his jacket to reveal a handgun in a holster under his arm. Cassi gaped, but he only shrugged. “I’ve got a license for it. I’m armed so I can take care of the art items I buy.”
    “My brother’s a police officer, and he made sure I know how to shoot,” Cassi said, “but I don’t like guns. I usually send the things I buy with a security company. They guarantee delivery.”
    “I’ve never had any problem until now, and the extra pay is usually worth the effort.” He sighed and began to walk stiffly toward the door.
    “Uh, you could stay here and sleep on the couch.” Cassi could hardly believe her own words.
    He shook his head. “I want to be awake if they come back.”
    “We can push the couch in front of the door, and they’ll wake you up if they try to get in.”
    Jared shook his head again, but Cassi was already picking up baby Sandy and carrying her to a bed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Jared. If they do come back and find you guarding my door, they’re going to assume I’ve got the Buddha, and then I’ll really be in danger.”
    He sighed and nodded wearily. “Okay, thanks.” After helping her push the couch lengthwise in front of the door, the only way it would fit into the entryway, he immediately sank onto it, grimacing as he moved.
    “Does it hurt?” she asked unnecessarily.
    “Yes,” he said with a groan.
    “I have a first-aid kit.” Cassi went to the dresser, opened the bottom drawer, and pulled out a small backpack. She brought it to the couch, where Jared’s lanky form spread out submissively. “Good, I still have some butterfly bandages.”
    Gently, she washed and bandaged his face. Some of the wounds looked pretty deep, particularly the inch-long horizontal cut above his eye, but the special bandages should close the wound efficiently.