Except when it came to those he cared about most. Isaac. Caley.
“I get it, poppet. It’s something I never, ever want you to do again but I know why you did it. And I’m sorry I got so mad.”
“You never get mad.”
“I do. When someone I care about a lot is in danger or risks themselves or I’m worried about them. But I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that. Forgive me?”
She gave him a small smile. “Of course.”
He leaned forward and gave her a kiss on the forehead. “Thank you, love. You’re far more forgiving than I would have been.” He drew back. “I’m guessing your cell phone was in the cabin and that’s why you didn’t call me straight away?”
She nodded. “I didn’t know your number by heart or Issy’s. So the nurse called your offices and your assistant took a message and said she’d get you to call back. Then we called JSI and Kent called back.”
“I was in a meeting.” Kent shot him a look. “What’s your excuse for not calling back?”
He felt frozen. Cold. “I never got the message.” It could have been a mistake on his assistant’s behalf. But he would most definitely be questioning her.
“Thank you for coming,” Caley said. “I’m sorry to pull you away from your work. I know you must be busy. I wouldn’t have called you but I…”
Her voice cracked and so did his heart.
“Love, what did I tell you about calling me?”
Those hazel eyes stared up at him. “That I can do it for anything.”
“And I will always come if you need me. Always. Don’t worry about my work. That’s my concern. Not yours. Your only worry should be getting better, understand?”
“But what am I going to do? I have nothing, Archer.”
He wiped away her tears. “That’s not true. You have Issy. You have me. And we’re not going anywhere, understand? You’re not alone, Caley.”
He pressed another kiss to her forehead. His attention was pulled from her as Kent stood. Shit. He’d forgotten the other man was even there.
“Could I speak to you for a moment, Archer?” Jensen asked. It was broached as a question, but he heard the command in it.
“Sure. Be back in a minute, love.”
“Caley, I’m going to head up to your cabin. You say you rescue
d Bumbly and a snuggly? Have you got them? Did anyone give them to you?” Kent asked her.
Caley’s face went bright red.
“It’s all right, love. Kent is a Daddy Dom. He has a Little of his own.”
“I don’t know where they are,” she told Kent.
“Would you like me to find them for you?” Kent asked gently.
“I…I…yes please.”
“I’ll see if I can find out whether anyone knows how your cabin caught on fire and where they went. All right?”
She nodded then Archer followed him into the corridor. Jensen turned on him, his gaze assessing.
“She’s Doc’s girl, yes?”
He stiffened. “Yes, she is. But I care about her.”