Emily stilled, the unfamiliar touch of
Derian’s hand streaking through her with the oddest blaze of heat and light.
She’d never realized tactile sensations could be in Technicolor. “I’ve been
here since Henrietta arrived. I rode in the ambulance. The EMTs were kind
enough to let me.”
Derian frowned. Realizing after an instant
she still cradled Emily’s face, she brushed her thumb gently over the tip of
her chin before drawing away. “Then I’m in your debt. As soon as I’ve seen her,
I’m taking you to get something to eat.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary. I’m sure you’ll
want to get together with your family.”
“No, that would be the last thing I want to
do.” Derian glanced toward the hall in the direction of the intensive care
unit. “The only member of my family I care about is in there.” She glanced back
at Emily. “You and I share that, I think.”
“Henrietta is easy to care about.”
“You see, I told you, you were diplomatic.”
Derian smiled. “Henrietta is a hard-ass, but she knows people. And when she
cares about you, she’s always on your side. If you’ve survived this long with
her, you’re tougher than you look.”
Emily ought to have been insulted, but she
laughed. She didn’t hear criticism in Derian’s voice and imagined there might
actually have been a hint of respect there. “I’ll have you know, I’m plenty
tough.”
“Then you’ll be tough enough to wait until
I’ve seen her. Agreed?”
“Of course. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I’m glad Henrietta has you. She deserves
someone like you at her side.”
Emily found the statement odd and Derian’s
voice surprisingly wistful. All she knew of Henrietta’s niece was that she was
often referred to with raised eyebrows among the agency’s staff and had never
taken any interest in the business. The press made her out to be something of a
reckless, privileged playgirl. But whatever the rumors and innuendo regarding
Derian Winfield might be, she had dropped whatever she’d been doing and flown
halfway around the world to be by Henrietta’s side. And for that, she’d earned
Emily’s respect. Her curious urge to know what had put such pain in Derian’s
faraway gaze and the unexpected heat Derian’s touch ignited were something
altogether different.