Killian, Connor, and Willow all look like they’re fighting back the same emotions overtaking Lucky and me right now.
Tony pulls off his hat, his gaze locking with Lucky’s. “The boys have filled me in on everything that’s been happening the last several weeks.” It flickers over to me. “I wish you two would’ve come to me. Would’ve told me the situation.”
The admonishment in his tone is overshadowed by the hurt that we didn’t come to him.
Killian leans against the door jamb, arms crossed over his chest, his jaw hard. “You’re too good at your job, Tony. You would’ve brought her in on the open warrant and handed her over to the FBI.”
Which is why Lucky was so terrified of having a conversation with him, despite the fact that Tony is a good friend.
She knew the clerks from the bank would tell the police about her involvement, even if they believed she was truly a hostage. And once she ran…that only made her look more guilty and gave them reason to suspect her.
He nods slowly. “You’re right. I probably would have. But at least I could have prevented this”—he spreads out a hand toward me—“from happening.”
Maybe he’s right.
If we had gone to him after Lucky came clean to me, if she had been taken into custody and held while the FBI investigated her story, that death squad never would have come for her. McBride Mountain and the homestead wouldn’t have ended up on the Lorell family’s radar or hit list. But the thought of her being alone, terrified, in some cell somewhere, wondering if she had been abandoned by me, by us, after we promised to protect her, never would have allowed me to take that route. Especially because there was a very real chance she wouldn’t be believed.
“What happens now?” My question comes out shaky, barely a whisper. “With Lucky…with…everything.”
Connor cringes and looks away, and Willow offers a sympathetic look.
The sheriff locks his gaze with Lucky. “I spoke with Agent Michaelson from the local Columbia FBI field office. He’s in charge of the investigation into the bank robbery and flew in to manage what happened at the homestead as soon as I contacted them. He’s there now, collecting evidence and assisting the Charlotte FBI officers. I’ve told them what I know, but”—his eyes shift over me with an apology in them before they move back to Lucky—“you’re going to have to meet with them—today—to give them any information you have about those men up there and what happened with the robbery.”
I tighten my grip on Lucky’s hand, swallowing thickly. “Is she going to be arrested?”
He shrugs. “I honestly don’t know what they plan to do, but I’m not going to arrest her now. I know she’s not going anywhere. Not as long as you’re here.” He points to me, then offers Lucky an apologetic smile. “I’ll leave you guys alone.”
As he says the words, a nurse bustles in, glaring at everyone congregated just inside the door. “All of you need to get out.”
Lucky’s grip tightens on my hand, and she shakes her head. “I’m not leaving.”
I can’t fight the smile that pulls at my lips, despite my growing discomfort the longer I’m awake. “She’s not leaving.”
The nurse releases an exasperated sigh. “Fine.” She swings an arm toward Connor, Killian, and Willow. “Everyone else though—out.”
She closes the door behind the rest of them and comes over to the machines to my left, checking the various readouts. “How are you feeling?”
Instead of looking at her, I watch Lucky to see how she’s doing after that conversation with the sheriff. She appears surprisingly calm, considering that the FBI will show up soon and whisk her away for an interview—and potential arrest if they don’t get the warrant that was issued after the robbery vacated.
“I’m okay.”
“I can see that…”
I glance over at the nurse, and she offers a little half grin, her gaze dipping to where my hand is still clenched around Lucky’s.
“How’s the pain?”
Terrible.
But I don’t want Lucky to worry about me any more.
It isn’t anything I can’t deal with.
I swallow thickly. “Okay.”
The nurse gives me a reproachful look. “You know you don’t have to lie just because she’s here.”
Lucky narrows her eyes on me, squeezing my hand. “If you’re in pain, you need to tell her so she can help you.”
