“I’ve made arrangements with Long Beach P.D. to have an officer stand guard outside your room,” Jake spoke up again. “Just as a precaution. I don’t think Walker will come after you. If he wanted you dead, we’d be visiting you in a totally different kind of room.”
Matt flinched at the thought of how easily his friend could’ve been killed.
“And on that pleasant note”—Derek tipped an invisible hat to Zade—“We should probably let you get some rest. Take it easy, King.”
“D’s right.” Jake nodded. “We’ll check back in later with an update.”
“Take care of yourself, brother,” Gabe instructed Zade. “The team won’t be the same until you’re back.”
Zade gave them all a dazed smile. “Thanks.”
Matt started to follow the other three out but stopped just inside the door. “Give me a minute?”
Jake gave him a knowing glance. “We’ll be in the hall.”
Waiting until the door shut to turn back around, Matt faced the man he’d almost gotten killed.
“Stop.”
Zade’s order surprised him. “Stop what?”
“Blaming yourself.”
The other man cleared his throat before licking his dry lips, the actions kicking Matt’s ass in gear.
“Shit. Sorry.” He rushed to the wheeled tray where Zade’s nurse had placed a pitcher and cup, both filled with ice water. “Here.”
After helping his friend take a good, long drink, Matt set the lidded cup back down, making sure it was within Zade’s reach.
“Thanks. Feels like I’ve been swallowing fucking rocks.”
Matt grinned, but his lips fell quickly.
“I said, stop,” Zade ordered again.
“Can’t help it, man.” Matt looked down at him. “I put you in that car. If we’d all gone to the station together—”
“They would’ve found us on the way.” Zade blinked slowly, his speech becoming more slurred. “Walker wanted Kat. Would’ve followed her wherever she went.”
Logically, Matt knew his friend was right. Didn’t make it any easier to stomach, though.
“He say anything else? Give you any indication of where he might be taking her?”
Zade shook his head. “No. Sorry. I tried to get to my gun, but it was knocked out of my hand. Flew to the floorboard. Couldn’t reach it.”
Picturing the image Zade’s words created made Matt sick. “Nothing to be sorry for. I’m the one who screwed up. But I promise, I’m going to find Walker and make him pay for what he did. To you and Holloway. To Kat.” His voice cracked, but he cleared it away. “You’re lucky as hell, you know that, right?” He blinked against the sudden burning in his eyes.
“I know.” Zade’s head swished against the rough, white pillowcase as he nodded, but then he frowned at Matt’s expression. “What?”
“Don’t get me wrong.” Matt shook his head. “I’m glad as fuck that you’re alive and, for the most part, okay. But I don’t get why Walker killed Holloway but let you live.”
Zade swallowed and took a breath. “Needed me alive.”
“Why?”
“So I could give you his message.”
Matt thought of those infuriating words again.Tell Turner I said hello.
