Zane stiffens.
“Care to elaborate?” Leopold asks.
No, I don’t, because you’ll have to arrest me, too. “My dad is dead.”
He makes a note on his pad, then closes it and slips it into his pocket. “You’re both very lucky to be alive.”
Don’t I know it.
“Thanks, Alan,” Zane says.
“Yeah. I’ll keep you updated. In the meantime, I’d like to assign a protective detail to you, Tessa.”
“What? No.” Old fear slices through the new threat, and I shake my head.
“No need, she’ll be with me,” Zane says.
“What? No I won’t. I can take care of myself.”
“It’s me or an officer,” Zane says, his tone leaving no room for arguing.
Now, I stand. “I’m thirty-six years old, Zane. I don’t need a babysitter.”
“And I’m not asking. Someone tried to kill you—and me by proxy. Until they find out who, it would be a reckless decision to not accept help.” His gaze hardens, and I open my mouth to argue back—but then my gaze lands on his bandaged cheek.
On the dried blood crusted to his neck and the mud-covered shirt he’s wearing.
“Fine.”
“Which one?” Officer Leopold asks.
“Zane.” As much as I need distance, I don’t imagine I’ll get it even if I accept the police protection. Zane will still be nearby. He’s stubborn like that.
“Great. I’ll keep you both posted. Are you sure neither of you wants to go to the hospital?”
“No,” Zane says. “A hot shower will do some good.” He shakes Officer Leopold’s outstretched hand.
“Understood. I’ll be in touch.” He waves and turns away, leaving me standing here, frustration pushing past everything else.
“Thank you,” Zane says, his tone soft.
I shift my gaze to him. “For nearly getting you killed?”
“For letting me help you.”
“It doesn’t sound like I had much choice.”
“No,” he confirms, and the corner of his mouth lifts in a partial grin. “But at least, this way, I don’t have to be sneaky about it.”
Weston and a giant man I now know as Ryker cross over. “We good to go?” Weston asks.
“Yeah. Thanks again,” Zane says.
“Anything for you, Cap,” Ryker says. He shifts his brown eyes to me. “It’s good to meet you, Tessa. I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Thanks.” I offer him a soft smile, but it dies when I see Weston’s glare.
He’s always been protective of Zane, and I imagine he told him why I left. It’s no wonder he despises me. I certainly feel enough of that toward myself these days.
