Lilly was pulled back into Dev’s chest. Her eyes were closed and face pale. Ash watched Dev lift her into his arms, and leave the room.
“He needs only sleep now,” Essie said.
“Baron.” Ash moved to his side and leaned over the bed. His face was still bruised, but he looked better.
“Baron.” Ash bent to speak to him, and his friend’s eyes opened.
“Ash.” He lifted a hand, and Ash gripped it, relief making his knees buckle. He felt Dorrie’s hand slip into his.
“It is done, my friend. Radcliff will bother us no more.”
A small smile tilted his friend’s lips.
“Are you home, Ash?”
“We are home, Baron.”
The tears that leaked out of Baron’s eyes made his own damp.
“Rest easy now.” Ash laid a hand on Baron’s head. “I will be here when you wake,” he said when his eyes closed.
“Let me look at you,” Essie said to Ash.
“I am well. Just worry about him.”
“He is healed, you however, are not. Sit.” Essie pushed him into a chair.
“Dorrie, come,” Somer said from behind him. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”
He felt her hesitate, and then her soft lips were on his cheek.
“I will see you soon, Ash.” The door closed, and she had left. He wasn’t ready to let her leave him yet. He still saw her holding her gun, facing down Radcliff and his crew.
God, he loved that woman, but he had yet to tell her that.
“I need to go, Essie.”
“Soon. For now you will sit and let me care for you.”
She fussed, putting cream on his injuries while Baron slept. Wolf arrived to look Ash and Baron over. He declared their color good.
Dorrie is silver like you.
He was taken away to bathe and change in a room. A fire was lit, and the bed would offer comfort when he reached it. By the time he was finished, the hour was late, but he still left his room. He checked on Baron and his friend slept deeply, so he left seeking her.
Ash walked until he heard voices. Opening the door, he found James and Devon in an office. Both drinking brandy, with their boots rested on a desk. He’d hoped to find Dorrie, but as he had words to say to both these men, he stepped inside.
“How is Baron?” Devon asked him.
“Sleeping. Your wife has healed the worst of his pain.”
Devon nodded.
“And you?” James asked.
“I am well.”
“I am glad it is now over for you.”
