Page 14 of No Going Back
Branna squeezed him hard. “That sounds about perfect.”
He kissed her hair again, wishing he could kiss her properly, but this was absolutely not the time for that. With his hands on her waist, he lifted her from the truck.
Jabba whined, and he leaned in to rub the mutt’s head. “We’re not leaving you. Come on.”
Sean also grabbed his duffel out of the back and then led the way inside.
Branna kept behind him as he opened the door and called out. “It’s Sean Falcone. Falcon. Is anyone home?”
No one responded, and they moved into the mudroom and then the kitchen. Sean pointed at Jabba. “Stay.” He turned to Branna. “I’m just going to do a quick check. Be right back.”
It was a one-story home, and it wouldn’t take long. He figured Branna would be nervous about being alone for any length of time, but he also needed to ensure the house was secure.
Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a combination kitchen, living, and dining room took up the rest of the space. Clean and comfortable.
He was back in the kitchen in less than a minute, but Branna stood with wary eyes and one hand on Jabba’s head.
He smiled to ease her nerves. “All clear. Doors are locked, and there’s an alarm system in place.”
“That’s good. Do you think we’re allowed to have some of the food? Should we check in with your friend?”
“We can eat whatever there is. When was the last time you ate?”
She shrugged and moved to the sink to wash her hands. “I’m not sure. Before dad was killed probably?”
Hell. That had to be days ago. No wonder she was on edge. Sean grabbed a banana out of the fruit bowl. “Start with that. Do you want to take a shower while I rustle up something to eat?”
She gnawed on her lower lip for a second before nodding. “A shower sounds like heaven. You don’t mind?”
He moved forward and hugged her. “I don’t mind. And I’ll be right here when you come back in. If you want to keep the door open, do it. I promise to be a gentleman.”
That made her snort a laugh.
Jabba barked and whined at the door. “Let me take Jabba out, and then he can go with you.”
She nodded and peeled the banana.
He unlocked the system with Troy’s code, and let the dog out. Jabba did his business and hurried back as if he knew Branna was nervous on her own. “Good boy, Jabba. Let’s go take care of our girl.”
He liked the sound of that.
Back in the kitchen, Branna was at the sink drinking a glass of water. Her head had to be throbbing from the lack of food and drink. “Tell me you were at least able to get something to drink over the past few days.”
She nodded. “I used that disgusting bathroom when I needed to. I wanted to clean it but figured that might alert anyone who used it regularly.”
“Smart. We’ll get something easy to eat in you for now. How does an omelet sound?”
She leaned on the counter. “Perfect.”
He could see her energy levels were dropping now that she didn’t have the adrenaline rush keeping her moving. Sean moved to her. “Don’t hurt me.”
Then he scooped her up. “You’re exhausted, and we need to get that ankle checked out. I’ll save you a few steps.”
“I can walk.”
She could, except she leaned into him. Showing him how worn out and depleted she was. His Branna had always been independent and strong. He hoped she felt like herself again soon.
In the primary bathroom, he set her on the edge of the tub and grabbed a towel from the shelves. There was a robe on the back of the door. “Use this if you want. I don’t know if this is an actual safe house yet or if it belongs to a friend of Troy’s. I’ll find out while you shower. Take your time and yell if you get dizzy.”