Page 82 of Love in the Wild

“Not like all of it, but some. I mean, they took Thea while she was with me, and I couldn’t stop them. I was useless.”

Cheyenne rested her hand on Hadley’s uninjured shoulder. “You did everything you could, and she’s going to be okay. If anything, you acted quickly enough that you might have saved her life.”

Hadley let out a huff. Gage had been right, but no one had known what to watch out for. They hadn’t seen the danger coming until it was facing them on the highway with nowhere to go.

Ridge turned onto the drive leading to the Howards’ garage. Emergency vehicles were parked all over the lot, and first responders swarmed the area.

Thea sat on a gurney next to an ambulance where a paramedic spoke intently to her. Brett was right beside her, his hand rubbing over her back.

As soon as Ridge parked the truck, Hadley bolted straight for her friend. “Thea!”

A police officer stood between her and her friend, holding out his arms. “You can’t be in here, Miss.”

“That’s my friend,” Hadley said, pointing to Thea.

Another officer walked up and whispered to the man barring her way, and he lowered his hand. Hadley dashed straight for Thea, holding her aching arm against the jostling.

“Thea, are you okay?” Hadley asked through clenched teeth. She was going to pay for running with a hurt arm later.

“I’m okay. Are you okay?” Thea said, reaching for Hadley.

Hadley waved a hand in the air. “I’m fine. Just a bump on the head and a scratch on my arm. Where is Gage? Is he okay?” Scanning the lot, she spotted Gage, and her heart sank like a lead weight in her chest. Two police officers and two men in full SWAT gear flanked him as they led him from the building with his hands cuffed behind his back.

A guttural sound rumbled up her throat, and she clamped her hand over her mouth.

Not Gage. Please, not Gage.

Hadley took off at a run toward him. The need to be beside him propelled her forward, dodging everyone in her way.

As soon as Gage spotted her, he pulled against the officers holding his arms, leaning toward her. “Hadley.”

Her name on his lips broke the floodgates she’d been fortifying all afternoon. A sob broke from her chest just as she lunged for him, wrapping her arm around his neck. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

“Are you okay? I’m so sorry. I didn’t know what was happening until it was too late, and I didn’t know you were in the car.”

“I’m fine, but what are they doing?”

Gage pressed closer to her and rested his cheek against her hair. “I’m okay. It’s fine. They said we have to talk.”

Hadley reared back. “This isn’t fine! What happened?”

Gage glanced over Hadley’s shoulder to Brett and Thea. Why wasn’t he answering her question?

Brett cleared his throat. “He shot Cain, but he was defending himself. They probably need to question him.”

Gage shot someone. Was Cain still alive? What happened to lead Gage to shoot him? The enormity of the situation clogged Hadley’s throat.

She looked back and forth between the officers restraining Gage. “This isn’t right. He was only trying to help his sister! Please!” she begged.

Gage leaned to the side, trying to catch her attention. “Hadley, it’s okay. I’ll be fine. Are you hurt?”

Hadley focused on Gage’s dark-brown eyes. He was eerily calm for a man restrained by handcuffs and at the mercy of the justice system. “I… I hurt my shoulder in the wreck, but I’m okay.”

Gage’s nostrils flared as he studied the brace holding her arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen. I put you in danger.”

“It’s not your fault. I would never blame you.” Her words were sure, and she’d beg him to believe them if necessary. “They can’t arrest you. This is all wrong.”

Gage leaned in, pressing his forehead against hers. “It’s okay. I look good in orange.”

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