Read Online Code Name: Baby by Christina Skye - Free Book Online Page A

still. “That was your nickname in high school, didn’t you know?”
    Somehow it didn’t surprise him. High school had been a blur of anger and confusion. The Russians could have invaded, for all he would have noticed. “Can’t say as I did.”
    Kit finished cleaning the cut at his jaw, and then her gaze cut down to his leg. “Are you going to take your pants off or not?”
    â€œDefinitely not.”
    Her eyes glinted as she went for his belt. They circled one another for a moment and Wolfe realized she wasn’t giving up. With a sigh he grabbed alcohol and cotton from the tray beside her on the counter, then removed a blood-soaked pad covering the wound just visible beneath his torn pants. He cleaned the area thoroughly, threaded a surgical needle, and went to work.
    She stood watching, her hands locked at her sides.
    Wolfe put in two precise stitches. As wounds went, this was only a scratch, so the sewing was no problem. He’d already shot himself up with antibiotics and covered the area with a gauze bandage, but he should have closed the wound sooner.
    No time like the present.
    With steady fingers he held the torn skin in place and shoved the needle home.
    â€œYou should take something for the pain.”
    â€œNot necessary.” Wolfe put in another neat stitch.
    Kit swallowed and looked away. “You’ve done this before, haven’t you?”
    â€œBasic field medicine.” He shrugged. “No big deal.”
    â€œI can see you don’t need me.” She pushed away from the counter, her body stiff. “I’ll get Trace’s bed ready.”
    â€œDon’t go to any trouble. I can sleep down here on the couch.” Not that he’d do much actual sleeping.
    â€œYou’re sleeping in a bed, understood?” Her voice was tight. “It’s the least I can do.”
    Turning, she collected the leftover bottles and bandages. When her gaze fell on the dogs, who were watching the byplay quietly, she frowned. “Do you hear that?”
    â€œI don’t hear anything.”
    â€œThat’s my point. The dogs didn’t bark at you. What’s going on here?”
    Baby’s tail thumped on the floor, and Diesel gave a happy little yelp.
    Kit glared at both of them. “What kind of guard work is that, you two?”
    Baby’s tail thumped harder.
    â€œSomething’s wrong.” Kit rounded on Wolfe. “Have you been here before? Is that why my dogs know you? There’s no way they would let a stranger in here without a fuss.”
    Wolfe cut a new piece of gauze and covered the wound loosely. The easiest thing to do now would be to brush away her memories, painting out all the unwanted details that would make her ask difficult questions. But he couldn’t make her forget. He needed to stay inside the house. That would be the best way to keep her safe while he took a closer look at her dogs.
    â€œWhat’s going on?” she demanded, standing stubbornly in front of him.
    â€œJust a friendly visit, like I told you. When I came in the dogs growled a little. Then they smelled my hands for a long time, but they didn’t seem upset. Maybe they could sense that I’m not hostile.”
    â€œMind reading isn’t one of their skills, Wolfe. I don’t buy any of this.”
    â€œYou must be sleepy. I’ll finish up down here and take care of the window,” he said quietly. “Go on to bed.”
    Kit shook her head. “Not until you explain.”
    â€œWe’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
    â€œYou bet we will. If I weren’t exhausted, I’d make you talk now.” She winced a little, rubbing her hip. “The dogs don’t sleep in the house.” She yawned. “They need to go outside to the kennel.”
    â€œI’ll take care of it.”
    She didn’t move.
    â€œGo on. Get some sleep, Kit.”
    â€œI always hated it when you gave me orders. I