“But…” I turn to Ronan. “What if?—”
“Well.” Sage Nelson appears in the hallway, just behind Max’s bulky figure. “Looks like everyone’s here.”
Max spins around to face her. His shoulders draw up. “Sage.”
“Max,” she replies. As he steps aside to let her into the room, they exchange a look. Unhappiness flits across Sage’s features, but it’s gone just as quickly.
Then her gaze sweeps the room, eventually landing on me. “Hey, Angel,” she says kindly. “How are you feeling?”
“Okay,” I reply, though I’m feeling the furthest thing from it. “I’m not hurt.”
“That’s good.” She crosses the room and comes to a stop a few feet from the bed. “Looks like the cavalry showed up,” she adds with a small smile.
“I was on the phone with Angel,” Ronan says, “when the intruder broke in. We called 911, but I wasn’t about to wait for you guys to show up.”
“No, I wouldn’t have expected you to,” she replies. “But we’re here now.”
“Took you long enough,” Max mutters. “What if Angel hadn’t had us to help her? Then what?”
Sage flicks a startled, almost hurt, glance at Max. “Officer Quillian and I were out on patrol. We got here as soon as we could. Same with Officers Brazelton and Kennis.”
Speaking of her partner, Patrick Quillian comes into the room and quickly surveys it. His lips twitch. “Looks like the gang’s almost all here. Where are Alec and Gage?”
I know Sage and Patrick are friends with the GMG guys, and according to Hazel, they often collaborate on cases together. So I don’t think they’re upset that Ronan and his friends showed up. I think they’re just teasing a little to lighten the mood.
But it’s not helping. Not for me, at least. Not when I don’t know for sure that Haley’s safe.
Tugging on Ronan’s arm, I whisper, “Haley. I need to know?—”
“I know.” Ronan looks over at Enzo. “Any word from Alec or Gage yet?”
Enzo lifts his chin at him. Then he glances at his phone. After a moment, he nods. “Alec’s there. He’s checking the exterior right now.” He pauses. “Gage just arrived. Between him and Alec, they’ll make sure the house stays secure.”
Sage turns to Enzo. “Where are Alec and Gage? I’m assuming this has to do with the break-in.”
“They’re at Garrett Ryan’s house,” Ronan explains. “That’s where Haley is. She’s having a sleepover with his daughter, Tess. We want to make sure whoever broke in doesn’t go there, looking for Haley.”
Sage and Patrick exchange a quick glance. Then Patrick asks, “Who would be looking for Haley?”
“Her father,” I answer. “Justin Maxwell. He’s not in her life. He hasn’t been since before she was born. But recently, he’s been calling. He hasn’t said what he wants, and I’ve been directing him to my lawyer. But…” Fear squeezes my chest. “What if he came here to try and take her?”
Patrick jots something in his notebook, drawing my attention to the sparkly-topped pen he’s writing with. “We’ll find him,” Patrick says. Then he notices me looking at his pen. “My niece. She loves giving me sparkly pens. I promised her I’d use them, so…” He allows a quick smile. “At least I’ll know if anyone steals it.”
“Justin’s been bothering Angel,” Ronan states, looking very unhappy about it. “I’d put him as a suspect, for sure.”
“Why don’t you start at the beginning,” Sage suggests. “When did you realize someone was breaking into the house? How?”
I know I need to tell her. But it’s hard to think about anything other than my worry for Haley.
In the seconds I hesitate, Enzo’s phone buzzes again. My heart jumps in anticipation.
He reads the message, then gives me a reassuring smile. “Alec says everything is clear. No sign of any activity at the Ryans’. They’re taking up guard, and Gage is using one of his drones with thermal imaging to check the surrounding area. No one’s getting inside that house, Angel. Alec and Gage won’t allow it.”
The worry banding my chest releases a little. It’s still there; I won’t breathe easy until Haley is right beside me. But I know Alec and Gage. I trust them.
“So,” Sage gently prods. “I hate to push. But if we’re going to find the person who broke into your house…”
“I know.” It’s just so hard to focus. Exhaling shakily, I turn to meet Ronan’s gaze. “She’s okay?” I whisper. “I know Enzo said, but…”
