Shadow of My Heart (Shadow-Walker Tribe Series) by Caryn Moya Block

men are back, and except for a few bruises, everyone is fine. Here is your father’s knife. I destroyed the video camera, and except for the outside guard, all of Adar’s men were taken out. I was tempted to keep the footage of Adar dying with his pants down. But I figured you would want all the images destroyed.”
    “You figured right. Cara is sleeping, and both she and Derek will mend with some rest,” Raven said, standing and grabbing his friend by the forearm. “I need you to hold down the fort until Cara is well. I’ll be glued to her side for now. Order a cleaning crew to take care of her apartment, and can you fetch my coat and some clothes for her? I want her to be comfortable when she wakes up.”
    “You got it, Boss. Are you all right? You look like shit.”
    “I almost lost her, and I still might. She was terrified. I felt it. I don’t know how she’s going to react.”
    “You came for her,” Joe said. “She can feel us even when in Shadow. She knew you were going to save her.”
    “Gentlemen, Cara needs to rest. I suggest you finish this discussion another time or in another place,” Dr. Rick chimed in.
    “We hear you, Rick. Give her time, Raven. I’ll see you later,” Joe said, heading out the door. Dr. Rick followed him and shut the door behind them.
    Raven got up and shut off the lights, before stripping off his shirt and pants. Then, he pulled down the sheet and climbed into the bed, slowly drawing Cara into his arms. She snuggled closer and sighed contentedly as he covered them both.
    “I’m not letting you go, tehila ,” he whispered to her.

 
    Chapter Eight
     
    “Really, this is unprecedented. What are you doing in this patient’s bed?” a haughty voice asked.
    Raven opened one eye and looked up at the irate nurse standing over him. “Be quiet, you’ll wake her up,” he growled.
    “Hmph,” the nurse said, stalking out the door and calling for Dr. Rick. She must be new, Raven mused as he looked down at Cara sleeping soundly in his arms. The swelling in her one eye looked like it was going down, but the bruises had turned a dark purple. He better keep her away from a mirror.
    Just then, Dr. Rick walked into the room followed by the indignant nurse.
    “Good morning, Raven. I can see that Cara slept well last night. Nurse Eschbach, this is Raven Darkwood, CEO of Isanti, Inc. Your boss, by the way. Raven, Cara is going to wake up anytime now and need more pain medication. Let the nurse take her vital signs, and you might want to get clothes on.”
    “I’m sure Nurse Eschbach has seen it before, Rick,” Raven said, smugly pleased when the nurse blushed.
    “Yes, but Quiet Thunder and Gwen came to visit. They’re waiting down the hall.”
    “Well, Gwen definitely has seen it before,” Raven said.
    “Well, really,” Nurse Eschbach exclaimed. “Shameless.”
    “Raven, must you act this way?” Dr. Rick complained. “Nurse Eschbach came highly recommended.”
    I don’t like her bedside manner, Raven sent on the tribal telepathic link, and I’m not sure I like her.
    “Nurse Eschbach, perhaps if you start with Derek Red Hawk in the next room,” Dr. Rick said with a sigh.
    “As you wish, Doctor,” she said with disdain and left the room.
    “She is entirely too haughty. Fire her,” Raven said in a voice that brooked no exceptions.
    “Raven, I need nurses. With tribal members Shadow-walking in and out, I need people who will sign confidentiality forms and have top-secret clearances.”
    “If you want her to stay, have her work on someone else. I don’t want to hear any remarks that will upset Cara.”
    “Not to worry. I can take Cara’s vitals while I’m here.”
    Whether it was the raised voices or the pain medicine wearing off, Cara started to wake up. Both Dr. Rick and Raven fell quiet as her eyes fluttered and slowly opened.
    “Hello, Beautiful. How are you feeling?” Raven asked gently.
    “Sore. My face hurts, and my ribs ache.”
    “I have medicine right