Page 104 of Silver Linings

“Gunner is Sage’s father in every way…except biologically.”

Hank nodded. “Let me have their names and I’ll start looking into things.”

“Let’s coordinate on that, Hank, if at all possible,” Max said.

Lily looked at the guys sitting in the waiting room, and they all nodded in agreement.

“You think this is bigger than a civil issue?”

“It could be connected to the case I’ve been working on with Gunner and the guys. If you’re done talking to Lily, why don’t I follow you down to your office and we can go over some of the details I’d rather not discuss someplace so public?”

Hank turned back towards her. “Is there anything else you need me to know?”

She shook her head back and forth and watched as the two men left the waiting area.

“Are you doing okay?” Stone asked as he gently touched her arm.

“I let them into our home and they almost took my daughter, and then almost killed my husband. I’m not sure I’m ever going to be okay again.”

Thirty-Two

“Let me grab you a blanket and some pillows. I’m sorry it’s not something more comfortable.” Lily gave Hawk a small smile.

“I’ve slept on the ground more times than I’d like to admit Lily. The couch is perfectly fine, thank you.”

“Thank you for staying the night. I know that Gunner would have been demanding to come home after his surgery if we were alone, and I feel so much better having him at the hospital, at least for tonight.”

“That’s what family is for.” Mae walked down the hallway in her pajamas.

“If that’s true, then why won’t you share the bed with me, sis?”

“Maybe because I know how much of a bed-hog you are and I’m not dealing with that. Besides, I’m not sure Lily would feel okay coming into Sage’s room in the middle of the night with you sleeping in there.”

“I really am sorry, Hawk.” She knew she was putting him out by asking him to sleep on the couch.

Hawk’s face turned red. “Lily, I promise I was just trying to tease my sister. I’m happy to be out here. I want to be near the door in case anyone tries to come in.”

“Do you think they will?”

“There’s really no telling what they’ll do next at this point.”

“Shut the hell up, Hawk.” Mae sent a scathing look at her brother, who must have noticed just how much that thought terrified her.

“It’s fine. I’d rather know what’s possibly coming our way than stick my head in the sand. Let me get you that stuff, Hawk.”

Lily found a blanket and a spare pillow and brought them back out to Hawk before telling the bickering siblings goodnight. She probably should stay up and see if they needed anything else, or at least offer to entertain them somehow, but she was too exhausted. All she wanted to do was run a bath and call Gunner to see how he was doing.

Shutting the door quietly behind her to not wake Sage, who was fast asleep in the bassinet next to their bed, Lily walked over to Gunner’s dresser and pulled out one of his shirts. She quickly changed into it before walking into the bathroom.

Dialing Gunner’s number, she laughed when he picked up after the first ring.

“I thought you might be fast asleep,” she said as she turned on the hot water and began filling the tub.

“I told you I wanted you to call before you went to bed. You’re such a good girl following through on my instructions.” His voice was low, and the words were filled with so much grit she shivered.

“Are you okay? You sound sleepy.”

“Nope. Not sleepy. Feeling happy to be alive, but I am really missing my beautiful wife.”

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