Page 79 of Brazen Obsession

Dante texts the dog walker to come take care of Peabody and then we’re all on our way. When we arrive at the hospital, we’re led to a waiting room with bad TV shows blaring in the corner and told they’re doing everything they can for Tom. Drew and Finn walk off to find some coffee that doesn’t smell burned.

Dante and I sit on either side of Sara, holding her hands.

“It happened so fast,” she whispers. Her head pops up every time someone walks out of the emergency room doors. Her eyes widen. “My parents!”

“I called them, pip.” Dante strokes his thumb over her knuckles. “They’re on their way. Drew called in a favor with a friend who has a plane they can use. They’ll be here in ten hours or so.”

“How’s Max?” she asks. Her face is pale and her eyes are wide. The tears have stopped for now. She’s coming out of her shock and realizing everything that needs to be done. But we’ve got this.

“He just got grazed.” Dante drags in a breath. “He got lucky. The bullet hit a tree and ricocheted before hitting him.”

She nods like she understands, but we’ll probably have to tell her all this again. She’s still only half with us. The other half of her is probably still huddled under Tom on that sidewalk. I bring her hand to my lips and kiss her knuckles.

“Ms. Morris?”

We look up to see a couple of guys in suits heading our way.

“Yes?” Sara straightens.

“I’m Detective Bill Carr and this is my partner, Detective Robert Murphy.” He hands me his badge. Police. Maybe we should call our friends with the Feds. “We’d like to discuss what happened today with you.”

“Of course.”

Sara

After I got done talking with the detectives, the doctor came out with Natasha. They needed to take Tom into surgery to remove the bullet. Drew goes to get Natasha something to eat and calm her stomach.

We’re all just waiting now for Tom to come out of surgery okay. There’s not much I could tell the police. A flash of light against a black car. I didn’t see the driver or anyone else. It all happened so fast.

I rub at my hands, still watching Tom’s blood run down the drain with the water. I need to think of something else. Anything.

“Was this Alexander?” I ask quietly.

“It could be.” Natasha’s voice is small. She has her hand over her abdomen like she can protect Tom by protecting the life inside her.

“Is there any way to know?” I look at my guys.

Finn sighs. His green eyes meet mine. “I could check with my father. He usually knows who’s making what moves. If it was someone he knew about, he would have notified me. But who else would be coming after us?”

I nod. He’s right. There’s no doubt this wasn’t some random act of violence. Alexander could have found out Tom married Natasha. If he wants to marry Natasha, that means he’d need to get rid of Tom.

Drew sits across from me. I lift my gaze to his. “What about Noelle?”

In all the panic, I almost forgot we only have three days to find something that will save Natasha and get Noelle out of Alexander’s hands. We have a mission.

Dante runs a hand over his hair. “After the surgery, we can split up and work on finding out more.”

“I’m not leaving Tom’s side.” Natasha’s eyes are filled with determination. “As soon as he’s out of surgery, I’m going to be there for him.”

Wyatt leans forward with his elbows on his knees and looks up at her. “I understand that you want to be with him. But you are the best person to locate your father’s accounts. Sara can stay with Tom until her parents get here. But the best way to help Tom is to get him out of Alexander’s crosshairs. To do that, we need to stabilize Alexander’s claim to your father’s empire.”

“My guys will protect you and the baby.” I reach over and take Natasha’s hand. “Tom would want you to do what you can. I wouldn’t want to leave my family either, but this is important. Until we neutralize Alexander, we’re all targets. Especially Tom.”

She takes in a shuddering breath and her eyes fill with tears. “I didn’t want this to happen.”

“I know.” I squeeze her hand. “But you can’t help who you fall in love with.”

We discuss the plan quietly while we wait for Tom to come out of surgery. Dante will go with Natasha and meet Theo at one of her father’s properties. Drew plans to go into the club and see what he can dig up on Alexander and Noelle. Wyatt and Finn will go into the office and keep things running as usual while looking through the files Tom had.