“Yes, but what about—” I begin but the door to the ER room opens, interrupting my counter argument. I was about to remind them of what happened when Kellan returned to Maple Ridge after a three-year prison sentence. He’d only hacked a computer. He hadn’t been incarcerated for murder.
Zara’s brother, Dr. Samuel Thompson, enters. His handsome features slide into a semi-reassuring smile, his teeth white against his copper-brown skin.
He walks over to join Troy and me by the bed. “Good news, Troy. You don’t need surgery. This time. But that’s only because of PT and the work you’ve done to build up the supporting shoulder muscles. However, there will be a point where the joint has had enough, and even PT won’t prevent further injury.”
Troy straightens to his feet. “Now that the FBI has arrested Alex Wilson, you don’t have to worry about me screwing up my shoulder anymore.”
Samuel regards him for a beat, his lips rolled in a flat line. He grunts a small disbelieving noise. “I still think you’d be better off if I put you in a body cast for the next two months.” His mouth twists into a teasing smirk. It was the same suggestion he’d made when Troy arrived in the ER.
“I’ll pass, thanks,” Troy says, his tone wrapped in a sardonic growl. “Does that mean we’re free to go?”
“Yes, you’re free to go. But remember, the sling stays on for three days.” Samuel turns to me. “And you’re not to talk much for the next three or four days. Give your throat a chance to recover.” He throws me a pointed look that says he knows I’ve been ignoring the order.
I reluctantly nod and flash him a tiny grin, hiding the fear anchored in my chest. One of the hospital staff might have recognized me from the article. Maybe even the triage nurse, whose eyes lingered on my facial scars for a beat too long when I arrived. How long will it take before my past identity becomes common knowledge? Especially since the staff has access to my new name.
They have a name to connect to the one from my past.
“Do you want me to stay at your place for the next few days? While you have to wear the sling?” I ask Troy, already knowing the answer—and it has nothing to do withhimbeing hurt.
His smile is soft, concern reflecting in his pained eyes. “I do.”
I go into the bathroom and change out of the hospital scrubs and into the shorts and pink T-shirt that Zara grabbed from my house.
Troy and I walk out of the room, Zara and Garrett following behind us. We head for the exit. Gazes trail us as we walk through the ER waiting area.
Please let them be looking at Troy and Garrett.
Please tell me no one is paying attention to me.
2
TROY
August, Present Day
Maple Ridge
Garrett dropsJess and me off at my place. My truck was at the warehouse crime scene, but since I can’t drive with my arm in the sling, Garrett drove me to Wilson’s house after we learned Jess was inside it with Violet and Dunbar. My truck is now sitting in my driveway.
I hold Jess’s hand like I did on the drive here as we walk to the front door.Thank God she’s here with me. Thank God the FBI got to her in time.
I open my front door. A nanosecond later, Butterscotch and Bailey careen into the foyer, their nails clicking on the wood flooring. Jess barely steps through the door before they rush to her side, barking excitedly.
She crouches next to Bailey and hugs the one-year-old golden retriever.
I kneel next to Butterscotch and stroke my dog. “How are you feeling?” I ask Jess. “Does it hurt?” My gaze drops to the bruising around her neck. Her eyes are bloodshot, reminding me how close I came to losing her.Fuck.
“I’ll be fine. Iamfine. I’m alive. Thanks to you. If you hadn’t told the FBI where to find me…”
“Hell, if it hadn’t been for Ethan Philips”—the undercover FBI agent—“none of us would be here right now.” I owe him everything for that. For saving my ass. For making sure Jess lived to photograph many more sunsets.
“I guess I owe him a big hug.” Her voice comes out teasing and rough, and her mouth twitches into a smile.
“How about we just send our thanks and you hug me instead.” I flash her a one-sided grin, which quickly fades away. “Since you don’t have to worry anymore about revealing Violet’s and Sophie’s location, will you go back to therapy now?”
She was struggling before, but after what happened this evening, I imagine it will be even harder for her to get better without Robyn’s help. “My company insurance’ll cover it. As my employee, you’re entitled to that. Just like Lance and everyone else who works for me.”
Jess bites her bottom lip in a move I recognize as her thinking through her options.
