When we got outside, the guys were waiting for us. Clarke raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. He just walked over and opened the back door of the SUV. I sat Lany on the seat and buckled him in before walking around to the other side to get in beside him.
The others joined us with Clarke in the driver's seat. “Where to, boss?” he asked as he glanced over his shoulder.
“Home,” I replied. “Detective Sparks and Jerry are going to meet us there.” I turned to look at Officer David Wu. “Your husband is also meeting us there. One of the arresting officers beat the shit out of Lany. Detective Sparks wants a physical exam and pictures so he has something to charge him with.”
“A police officer did that?” Sam gestured to Lany's face.
“Not all of it,” Lany said. “The asshat I was dealing with at the drug house slapped me around a little. The police officer used my ribcage as punching bag.”
Clarke winced. “Sorry, Lany.”
Lany glared at him before turning to look out the window.
I snorted as a sense of justice rolled through me. “Looks like you're going to be on the couch a little longer.”
Lany was silent for the rest of the ride home, which wasn't like him. I wanted to ask what was wrong, but now didn't seem like the time. I wasn't sure he would tell me the truth with everyone else in the vehicle.
I wrapped my arm around his shoulder and pulled him close to me before pressing a kiss to the top of his head and then whispering into his ear, “Ti amo, caro.”
I heard a small sigh as Lany melted into me.
“I love you, too, Sal.”
“How hurt are you?”
That was a big concern and one I should have dealt with before now.
“I've had worse falling out of a tree.”
I was not reassured.
“We'll have Skip look you over when we get home.”
Lany frowned as he lifted his head. “I thought we were doing that anyway.”
“Skip needs to give you an exam for the injuries you sustained from that officer, as well as take pictures of your injuries, but that is separate from treating your injuries.”
I smiled when Lany snorted.
God, I adored him.
We stayed cuddled up with each other until we reached the gate of our fifteen-acre estate. Surprisingly, Jerry and the detective were waiting for us when we reached the front steps of our mansion. They must have used the sirens to beat us here.
“Be nice,” I warned Lany as we climbed out of the SUV. “This guy has the ability to lock you up.”
“I'd like to see him try,” Lany replied.
“Lany.”
Lany huffed as he turned his eyes to mine. “Is it pick-on-Lany day and someone forgot to tell me?”
I could see where he'd think that under the circumstances, but that wasn't the case.
“No, caro, but we are in a precarious position at the moment. I have no doubt that whatever you have to share with us will drive me insane because you tend to forget about your own safety, but your heart will be in the right place.”
“I'm not sure my heart was in the right place, but I was trying to do the right thing.”
I smiled as I pulled Lany into a hug. “You always do.”
