Page 45 of Her Loving Hero

“I thought your name was Christiano?” Lilliana said as she stared at Chris.

“This is Chris. Christiano and I broke up. Chris is Petra and Mercedes older brother. He and I went to the...” Carly ran out of steam. Wyatt was impressed she had the wherewithal to lie as well as she’d been doing, considering all of the drugs they’d pumped her up with.

“And you are, again?” Lilliana asked, staring at Wyatt.

“I’m Scott Lyle. I saw their taxi go off the road and stopped. I’m amazed that Chris wasn’t injured as well. My boss Duke Forrester took Carly to the hospital, and I stayed back with Chris so he could talk to the authorities, then I drove him here.”

“That’s right,” Carly slurred. “The yacht...”

“What yacht,” her mother asked.

“Pay no attention to her, Mrs. Hoag. I think she’s stoned on the drugs,” Chris patted the older lady's hand. “Dad was talking about going golfing with the Ambassador next weekend. I think my mom was thinking that you two could have brunch while they do that.”

Wyatt saw Kane’s lip curl in amusement. The kid was a natural at deflecting a tough situation.

“I would adore going to brunch with your mother,” but then Lilliana looked over at her daughter. “But it all depends on Carly. If there is someone who can watch her, then I suppose that will be all right.”

“Kristi will be home,” Carly said trying to lift her arm.

Chris, who was beside Carly, grabbed her hand and settled it back into her lap. “Be careful.”

“Where’s that nurse with the discharge papers?” Lilliana asked.

“I think she mentioned something about you having to go up to the desk,” Wyatt said helpfully.

She gave a put-upon sigh and got up out of the chair. “I’ll be back.”

As soon as she was out of hearing distance, Chris pulled out the broken phone and tried to give it to Wyatt. Kane snagged it. “Is this Harthy’s?”

“I don’t know, it was the angry guy’s,” Chris answered.

“That’s Harthy,” Carly said in a tired voice. “He would be the one who would have the video. Do you think it’s on his phone?”

Chris carefully put his arm around her shoulder, ensuring he wasn’t causing her any pain. “Carly, why don’t you rest, okay? You did good today, now you can take it easy.”

“’kay,” her eyes fluttered shut.

Kane looked at the phone and grinned. Wyatt knew why. It wasn’t an iPhone. Much, much easier to get into. “You realize, this whole Mighty Morphin Power Ranger thing was a total goatfuck of an idea, don’t you kid?” Kane asked Chris.

Chris stared at Kane. “Feel free to give me back the phone...Duke, isn’t it?”

Dammit, the kid sure had Kane’s number.

Wyatt waited.

“You want to repeat that?” Kane asked very quietly.

“My best friend’s uncle is Delta Force. Carly mentioned that her sister was friends with a SEAL. Things are adding up a certain way is all.”

Wyatt snorted a laugh.

“Fuck me,” Kane said.