His eyes softened. “I understand. She’s in a sad state right now. In the morning, she’ll feel much better, I promise.”

“Of course.” The initial adrenaline rush Brianne’s screams had sent coursing through her had faded. Now weakness invaded her. “I think I’m just going to get back in my bed.” Before she fell flat on her face.

“Good idea. I’ll have the nurse bring you something to help you sleep.”

“That’s all right. I’ll pass.”

Sarah returned to her room under the watchful eye of the doctor. He really was a nice man and he was right. She didn’t know what was going on with Brianne, but she’d rather have the nightmares than put drugs in her body. She shuddered. That was one thing she could relate to.

When the nurse stepped into her room, Sarah shut her eyes and pretended to be asleep, and the woman left without administering the medication. Sarah let out a low sigh of relief.

She lay there and let the minutes tick past, unwilling to drift back off—mostly because she didn’t want to dream, but also because Brianne’s desperate cries continued to echo in her mind. More time passed and she wondered where Caden and Gavin were. She wanted one of them to check on Brianne and make sure she was really okay.

She stilled and drew in a breath. Then again, she’d never been one to wait around on someone else to get something done. Once more, ignoring the pain, Sarah pushed herself out of the bed and made her way to the door.

CHAPTER
SIX

Gavin had stepped out of Sarah’s room intending to call his sister, only to find the general in the hallway.

“Follow me, son. We need to talk.” Curious, Gavin followed him down the hallway and through a door marked Private.

“Sir?”

“You might want to sit down for this.”

Gavin had taken a chair but soon found himself on his feet, pacing as the general laid out his thoughts. He stopped near the door of the conference room and turned, while Sarah’s father stood ramrod straight, his hard, green eyes watchful, missing nothing. “You want me to act as her security?” Gavin asked. “Secretly? If she finds out, she’ll be spitting mad.”

“I don’t plan for her to find out. And if you’re creative enough, you can stay by her side without too much trouble. Heck, pretend like you’re in love with her if you have to. Just keep her safe.”

Gavin flinched at the mercenary statement but chose to ignore it for now. “What about Caden?”

“He babies her. Caters to her every crazy whim. She has him wrapped around her little finger, and he will be of no use to me in this regard. Besides, he’d flat-out refuse.”

“Right.” Which was exactly what Gavin planned to do.