Now Eric was the next target. And that was why she wasn’t leaving Eric alone. She was staying close to him. She might not be some trained security expect. Not even semi-trained, but, dammit, she was going to do everything possible to keep him safe.

And that meant making sure he wasn’t alone.

He took her hand in his. “Come on.”

As he headed down the hospital corridor, she hurried to keep up with him. They slid into an elevator, and he pressed the button for the ground floor.

“I know what you’re doing,” Eric murmured.

“Riding in an elevator?”

His lips thinned. “I don’t need you to watch out for me.”

Her chin kicked up. “Did you ever think that I just need to watch you? I mean, you want to keep me safe.”

“Security is my business. My life.”

“And you’re—” Wait, no, not the time for some big, dramatic confession. “You’re important to me.” She’d toned it down. Kept her cool. “I need to know you’re safe. I heard what you told the guy on the phone.” And she paused. “Was there…anything about his voice that stood out to you?”

“Not a damn thing. He was whispering. Deliberately disguising his voice when he spoke to me.”

Now that had her stomach clenching. “If he was disguising his voice, then does that mean he thought you’d recognize it otherwise?”

“Maybe. Or maybe he’s just a freak who likes to whisper.” The elevator dinged, and the doors opened. They stepped into the parking garage. The cavernous interior had his voice echoing.

He surveyed the garage. She knew he was looking for potential threats. She was doing the exact same thing. She’d always tried to be careful. What woman didn’t? Situational awareness was pretty much female survival 101. She always glanced around when she was in a parking garage or just a parking lot. She made note of where other people were. Made sure no one was lingering by her car. And she checked to see if anyone was paying too much attention to her. When she was alone, she approached her car with her keys at the ready, no fumbling with her bag because she didn’t want to be caught unaware.

And she even knew some self-defense. It had been Eric who had taught her how to defend herself. Eric who’d been a growling but patient instructor because he’d insisted she learn to fight before she headed off to college. Because… “Guys get handsy. So you have to know how to break their hands.”

He opened the passenger door for her. She slid inside, her body brushing lightly against his, and she heard the sharp inhale of his breath.