“You won’t have any visitors.”
“She’s awake?” Patch asks quickly.
“She was a few minutes ago,” Cooper says. “I figured I’d wait out here for the cavalry in case things were as bad as she made them sound.”
“You questioned her without our lawyer?” I growl.
Cooper’s expression doesn’t change.
“I didn’t question her as a cop,” he says quietly. “I just needed the real story so I could fabricate one believable enough to keep the department off your doorstep.”
I study him carefully.
“You’re risking your career for a Shadow?” I ask, glancing at the closed door.
“I work in a corrupt industry, Mr. Davis,” he replies calmly, using my real damn name. “Taking down a group like the Iron Shadows would make someone’s career overnight.”
His gaze flicks toward Abby’s room.
“And they wouldn’t care what lies they had to tell to make it happen.”
He shrugs slightly.
“One of your women getting shot? That’s all the excuse they’d need to start digging. Warrants. Surveillance. Informants.”
He meets my eyes again.
“Trust me. My version of events is a lot better for everyone involved.”
I nod slowly.
Guess Maverick’s cop buddy isn’t such a bad ally to have.
“She was asking for you,” Cooper says as he steps aside. “Sounds like she’s had a rough week.”
I push the door open, and the second I step inside, piercing blue eyes lock onto me.
They’re glassy with tears.
“You’re back,” she rasps, her voice shredded. “I’ve missed you.”
Fuck.
“Babygirl,” I choke out. “Are you okay?”
She smiles, but the tears slide down her face.
“I’m okay,” she whispers. “But… not everyone is.”
I nod slowly. Ten fallen.
The silence between us stretches for a moment before she asks softly,
“Are you okay?”
“No,” I admit. “I’m not.”
Her eyes move over my body, slowly scanning me.
