Except what was he going to do, wake her up? Pull her into his arms?
Shoot,maybe Chai was right, because the idea had landed in his head. So maybe he was tired.
He made it back to camp, knelt by the fire and stirred it. Glanced at her.
Fine, yes, he wanted to help her. At least enough to make her leave before she got herself killed chasing the story.
“She reminds you of Narin.” Chai had walked over.
Skeet’s chest went tight. “No. Narin was—” He stopped, swallowing against the sudden bile in his mouth. “Narin was different.”
“How?”
Well, for one, he didn’t love Chloe.
And for two, “Narin was an asset. She was used to...”
“Duplicity?”
Skeet glanced at him. “Danger.”
Chai’s mouth tightened. “Like I said. Just like Narin.”
Skeet got up. “Narin was compromised. Under duress. They threatened her family. She didn’t betray me.”
“She did betray you. She made a choice, bro. She got six people killed because she fed you bad information.”
He swallowed.
“And got herself executed.”
Right.“Listen. Fine. I don’t want Chloe to get in over her head.”
“Sounds like she already is.”
He glanced at her, back at Chai. “I’m going to keep her alive long enough for her to realize that.”
Chai was quiet for a long moment. Then, “You know what your problem is?”
“I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”
“You think everyone’s problem is your problem.”
“That’s not?—”
“Your father abandoning you. Your mother’s depression.”
Skeet’s mouth tightened.
“Now this journalist’s investigation.” Chai stared at him, those dark eyes finding his. “You take responsibility for things you can’t control.”
Skeet’s hands tightened on his weapon. “Someone has to.”
“No. Someone doesn’t.”
“So I should just walk away? Let her get herself killed?”
“You should complete your mission and go home.”