Home > Israel (The Adlers Book 8)(7)

Israel (The Adlers Book 8)(7)
Author: Avery Gale

Maybe I’ll catch a cab home and worry about my car later… a lot later. Damn, I’m pooped.

 

 

Chapter Four

 

 

Israel tried to catch up with Bristol before she slipped into the back of the ambulance with Charlotte and the new baby but missed her. When he called Austin, his brother answered on the first ring.

“Congratulations, big brother. How are you holding up?” Israel already knew Charlotte and baby Marshall were doing well, but the man who’d held the family together after the death of their parents was looking a little shell shocked.

“I’m still trying to process the whole thing. One minute, I’m enjoying a glass of champagne, toasting my brother and new sister-in-law, the next, I find out my wife’s in labor. I think when all the dust settles, I’m going to discover she’d been in labor for hours but failed to mention it because she didn’t want to miss the wedding.”

“Probably. Although I doubt, she thought little Marshall would decide to kick things into high gear. Don’t be too hard on her. Remember, she’s given you the best gift you’ve ever received, and she did it without any pain relief.” Israel could feel Austin’s pride in both the birth of his son and his wife’s bravery.

“You’re right about cutting her some slack but wrong about the gift. She is the best gift I’ve ever received—everything that happens after she came into my life is icing on a very sweet and perfect cake. I’m deeply indebted to Bristol.” Austin took a deep breath, sighing softly before continuing. “She kept me from making a huge mistake. I was on the cusp of ruining a remarkable experience. Charlotte would have forgiven me—eventually—but I would have never forgiven myself. It was damned humbling to be reminded I can’t always force people to toe the line.”

“Being at the club probably didn’t help. Your role in this environment is well-established. It’s okay to be grateful, but don’t wallow in what could have been. It will keep you from enjoying the joy of the moment.” Israel wondered if Austin realized he’d let out a breath in a rush of self-awareness.

“You’re right. Thank you.”

“I’m following you into town. Bristol is exhausted. From what I could pick up, she’s been up for the better part of thirty-six hours. She left her car at the club, and I want to make sure she gets home safely. Give me a heads up when she finishes with Charlotte. I don’t want to miss her.”

“Her home or yours?” Austin laughed before plunging ahead. “Hell, never mind, I already know the answer. She is a strong, independent woman—tread carefully. Don’t smother her. I can’t see that ending well for you.”

Israel knew his brother was right but had no illusions about his ability to hold back his desire to protect his mate. It didn’t matter he hadn’t formally claimed her—she belonged to him.

Sitting in the waiting room two hours later, Israel was relieved when his phone vibrated in his pocket. The text message from Austin was short and sweet. Heads up. Moving closer to the door, he heard the nurses talking about Bristol. Before he could find out what he wanted to know, an automatic door opened down the hall, and his eyes locked on Bristol as a wave of physical and emotional exhaustion hit him like a freight train. Stepping forward, Israel opened his arms and felt like his heart would burst when she didn’t hesitate to walk into his embrace.

“I’m so tired. Thank Goddess, my apartment is nearby. I’ll be able to stay awake long enough to drive that far.” Hopefully.

“Your car is at the club, Beautiful.” He tightened his hold when she sagged, fearing her knees were going to fold out from under her.

“Damn, I forgot. I’ll call a cab. Thanks for sticking around to say goodbye.” The words sounded sincere, but her emotions were telling an entirely different story.

“Bristol, it’s important you are honest with yourself and with me.” Israel gave her a quick squeeze before releasing her to look into her pale blue eyes. Using the pads of his fingers, he smoothed back the loose strands of her hair, fascinated by the silky feel of the white-blonde tresses.

“I can hardly wait to see your hair fanned out over my bare chest, your eyes half-lidded from satisfaction, rather than the exhaustion I see in them now.” It was time to move on. She was precariously close to falling asleep on her feet. Turning her toward the exit, he kept an arm around her waist. He wanted her close, and her fatigue gave him the perfect excuse. Steering Bristol out the door, he was glad he’d kept his hands on her when she stumbled several yards from his car. Without missing a step, Israel leaned down and scooped her into his arms.

“Oh pickles, this is embarrassing. I shouldn’t let you carry me, but to be honest, I’m not sure I can make it to the cab stop.”

He hated hearing the utter exhaustion in her voice. Hell, how many times had she pushed herself to this point and beyond with no one to watch her back?

“Can you do something for me, Bristol? Will you let me take care of you tonight?” Before he could walk the short distance to his car, Israel felt her tears soaking through his shirt. Talk to me, Beautiful. He’d deliberately used telepathic communication, hoping the deeper level of intimacy would make it easier for her to admit what he could feel coming off her in waves.

While he’d waited for her, Israel had pulled the file his team had done on her from the company server to refresh his memory. She’d had a horrific childhood compared to his. Things appeared to improve—marginally—after she moved in with an unmarried high school science teacher. By the time the older woman died a couple of years later, Bristol had already been ready to attend college.

Wondering if anyone in the deceased teacher’s circle of friends could provide information, Israel did a quick search and was shocked by what he found—or, more specifically, what he didn’t find. The woman hadn’t existed prior to the year Bristol started high school.

The prestigious university Bristol chose didn’t want to lose their child protégé, so they’d made special housing arrangements for the young girl. Interviews with her fellow classmates and professors all echoed the same sentiment—what was supposed to be a charitable concession turned out to be horribly isolating. Everyone they interviewed mentioned how sorry they’d felt for her. If she wasn’t in class, working in the lab, or studying in the library, Bristol was locked in her own wing of one of the smaller dormitories. The Dean had insisted she be protected, but her safety had come at an enormous emotional cost.

Unbelievably, Bristol finished graduate school before she had been old enough to drive, which meant she’d been forced to walk everywhere. Hell, she’d attended Harvard, and it was fucking cold in Boston during the winter. No wonder she’d moved to Texas.

He’d done a background check on a Harvard Medical School professor several years ago and knew how damned relentless the cold wind was as it swept across the campus in January. Cold, inhospitable hell was how Israel described it to his executive assistant when he’d returned home. Geneva had chuckled and rolled her eyes. She’d warned him to assign the investigation to one of the newer members of the team, and the unspoken reminder was dancing in her eyes.

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