Page 80 of Last Chance

“She’ll be with David as much as possible. I’ll ask Brent to assign someone from Fortress to monitor her while she’s here.”

“I don’t think she’ll enjoy having a bodyguard. Maria likes her privacy. I’m afraid she’ll be even more paranoid while she’s here because of what happened to her husband.”

“Our people are good at what they do. They’ll watch her and switch out every few hours so she doesn’t see the same people all the time.”

Janie leaned her head against his shoulder. “You already planned for this contingency, didn’t you?”

He shrugged. Being prepared for every situation was how his team survived in the field.

“Thanks, Sawyer. I should have known you’d take care of things without me asking.”

“We’re still learning each other.”

His phone signaled an incoming message. He glanced at the screen, then pulled up his email to see the information Zane sent.

His blood ran cold as his hand tightened around the phone.

“What’s wrong?” Janie asked.

“Zane ran the faces of the men in the van through our databases.”

“And?”

“He got a hit.” He wrapped his hand around hers. “Both men are known members of Vatos Locos.”

CHAPTER 20

SAWYER DREW JANIE into his arms. “Breathe, sweetheart,” he murmured. Hearing that the two men who probably attacked David Moran were members of the gang targeting her had caused blood to drain from Janie’s face.

“This is my fault,” she whispered.

“It’s the fault of the men who beat him. Your lifestyle doesn’t bring you to the attention of criminals. You have done nothing wrong. We need to focus on your brother and his choices. He has a history of gambling, so let’s start there.” He wouldn’t let her take the blame for this fiasco. No way the hijacking and attacks were Janie’s fault.

A man in scrubs walked into the waiting room. “Moran family?”

Sawyer stood and helped Janie to her feet.

“I’m David’s sister.”

The man held out his hand. “Chris Vanderpool. I’m the surgeon who operated on your brother.”

“How is he?”

“Mr. Moran came through surgery fine. I had to remove his spleen. He has several cracked ribs and bruises all over his body, seven broken fingers, and a broken wrist. All of those can and will mend. I’m most concerned about the head injury.”

“How bad is it?”

“Your brother has a cerebral edema. His skull is fractured and his brain is swelling. There’s a real danger of seizures as well.”

“He’s still in a coma?” Sawyer asked.

A curt nod from Dr. Vanderpool. “He’s in the ICU where we can monitor him closely. I wouldn’t be surprised if we have to go back into surgery to relieve pressure on his brain. For the moment, all we can do is watch and wait.”

“May I see him?” Janie asked.

“I’ll have the nurse come for you in a few minutes. Although he won’t respond, he’ll know you’re there when you talk to him.”

“What are his chances, Doc?” Sawyer asked.

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