Page 63 of Vanishing Legacy

Penny nodded and took the flashlight with a smile.

Cash lifted her out of Alana’s arms and carried her to the piano fort. “You can use the flashlight as long as you’re in here, okay?”

“Okay, Daddy.” Penny opened a book and shone light on the pages.

Cash motioned for Alana to follow him into the kitchen. He pulled her into a tight hug and kissed the top of her head. Her arms went around his waist.

“Listen, I appreciate the concern, but I’ll be fine.” He kissed her head again before loosening his hold. “When one cop goes to the hospital, they all go. The boys in blue are there, and they won’t go home until they know their fellow officers are stable.”

She didn’t like it, but he was right. If anything, Cash might be safer there than at home. “Did you say multiple officers were shot?”

“I’m not sure of the details, but they are overrun. They need me.”

“Just…watch your back, okay? I know you’re capable, but you’re not invincible. There’s plenty of danger between home and the hospital. Your daughter needs you to come back to her.” She ran a finger over his chin. “And I need you to come back to me.”

He leaned in and kissed her. Soft and sweet but passionate. A promise to come back for more. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

Alana closed her eyes and leaned in for another kiss, then her eyes snapped open. “Wait, doesn’t Penny have a speech therapy appointment today?”

Cash smacked his palm against his forehead. “You’re right, I completely forgot. Would you mind?—”

“Not at all.” She kissed him on the cheek, then patted his chest. “Now go save our boys in blue.”

He kissed her again and headed for the door.

Alana flicked her eyes over to Penny playing with the flashlight in the fort. Braiding Penny’s hair would be Alana’s pleasure, but there was one thing she had to do first. She swiped her phone and pressed the speed dial. “Hey, Juliette. Can you do me a favor? Cash got called to the hospital, and he’s on his way without security detail.”

“Say no more. I’m in the car, so I’ll reroute.”

“Thanks. I don’t know why, but I can’t shake the feeling something bad is about to happen.”

* * *

FRIDAY, 9:00 A.M.

By the time Cash made it to the hospital, he’d determined he needed to get his head in the game. It would be a crazy day in the ER, and he couldn’t have his mind in two places. Who was he kidding? His mind was all over the place. Torn between Penny, work, Trejo, and Alana.

He’d wanted to talk to her about the kissing and the kids, but she’d bolted as soon as Juliette arrived for her shift last night. This morning, he was the one who’d rushed off, for a different reason.

One thing was for sure, he wanted Alana and Rocco in his life. And he planned to tell her. Right after he fixed his patients.

The cold, sterile air of the trauma unit hit him as he walked in. The familiar smell of disinfectant and antiseptic filled his senses. Crackling radios echoed through the halls. Uniformed and plain clothes officers paced the waiting room, every one of their faces etched with the same look Cash had seen time and time again.

He walked toward the scrub room and caught up with Brooke. “Hey, what’s going on? I didn’t expect so many…”

Deep creases lined Brooke’s brow. “It’s bad, Dr. Thomas. We have three officers in critical. One serious. Not to mention the four civilians. From what I gathered, there was a shootout early this morning. Some officers serving a warrant, and things went haywire.”

No. It couldn’t be…Was this the aftermath of Trejo’s arrest? If so, then his sister had secured her meeting and Trejo was captured. Or killed. Which would mean Penny was safe, and he could get his life back.

Brooke followed him to the scrub sink and rattled off the patient information. After he removed his watch, he rolled up his sleeves and began lathering his hands with surgical soap. He scrubbed under his nails, up his arms to his elbows, and all the way to his shoulders. The adrenaline began its push through his veins. He could hear the chaos of the ER outside, the shouts of the trauma team, and the cries of the injured. This was what he lived for, what he was trained for.

Brooke had a fresh surgical gown and held it up for him to step into. Cash turned off the water and dried his hands on a sterile towel before slipping into it. He held up his arms, and Brooke tied it in the back, making sure it was snug and secure.

“Thanks, Brooke. Who’s first?”

“Trauma five.”

The first patient was a young Hispanic man in his late teens. He had multiple gunshot wounds, and his blood pressure had bottomed out. Cash barked orders to the team. “Get me a central line, stat! Two units of O negative! Where’s my thoracotomy tray!”

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