“I just want to tell you I’m finished packing.”
He nodded. “Is there anything here that you’d like to take with us?”
She shook her head.
“I can help you take the bags down to your car,” Ronin said.
“Would you give us a ride to my car? It’s several blocks away.”
Ronin nodded. “Sure.”
Both men took a bag, and Duncan had her hand as they made their way outside to an unmarked police car. After stowing the bags in the trunk, Duncan helped Kyla into the back seat, and then he slid in after her.
It didn’t take long before they were pulling up to his SUV. Duncan shook Ronin’s hand. “If you ever think of doing something different, give me a call. I think you’d fit in well with my security team.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“That doesn’t mean you have a chance with her.”
Ronin snorted. “I already figured it out. She’s pretty special.”
Duncan looked over at Kyla as she waited by his vehicle.
“Can I say goodbye to her?”
Duncan nodded. “Kyla, come say goodbye, sweetheart.”
He watched her walk into Ronin’s arms and hug him.
“Thank you for helping me,” she whispered.
“You’re very welcome, honey. I’m always here if you need me.”
She nodded, then walked to Duncan and took his hand.
“Call me if you’re interested.” Duncan handed him a card and waved as Ronin walked off. He lifted Kyla into the front seat and made sure her seatbelt was fastened.
He watched her expression as they drove out of the city and couldn’t see that she was taking her departure hard. Although, he’d noticed she hadn’t shown any reaction since he found her, and that worried him.
“Why did you decide to stay in Columbus instead of going to Florida?”
She looked over at him. “I was tired.”
Jesus, he needed to see some emotion in the woman’s eyes. It was concerning how she’d closed down.
“Is there anything or anyone you want to see first?”
She shook her head. “I can’t think of anything.”
“What about Jenna?”
There, he caught a flash of pain before she disintegrated it. “Maybe later. I don’t want to be in the way.”
He sighed. “Honey, you’ve never been in the way.”
She shrugged. “I don’t want to go back to the condo. When we get home, can you take me to a hotel until I find a place?”
He kept his eyes on the road and reached for her hand. “I want you to go home with me, sweetheart.”