Page 123 of Caught in the Crossfire

Nicole became aware of warmth pressed against her side. She turned and her heart melted. Mason. He hadn’t left her side, even insisting on riding in the ambulance with her.

His eyes opened. A slow smile curved his mouth. “Hello, beautiful.”

“Hello, handsome.”

“How do you feel?”

“Like I’ve gone ten rounds with the heavy-weight champion.”

“You did, and you won.”

That made her smile. “How are the ribs?”

“With you in my arms, I don’t feel a thing.”

“Without me in your arms?”

“The ribs are sore enough that I can’t breathe deep. Work Monday will be an exercise in torture.”

“Tell me about it.” She smiled. “I guess we aren’t going to make it to church today.”

“I’m afraid not. Next week.” He kissed her, the touch light and easy. “Two months until our wedding.”

“If not for the sake of the wedding pictures, I’d beg you to marry me today. Life is too short to waste. I want to spend every minute with you.”

“I’d take you up on the offer except Durango deployed two hours ago, and Rio would kill me if I married you without him at my side. Besides, I need to set up the home rehab division and make sure everything is running smooth before our honeymoon. I don’t want anything to take my attention away from you while we’re gone.”

“I like the sound of that.”

A knock on the door brought Mason to his feet, his body between her and the visitor. When the door opened, Ethan walked inside.

“How are you, Nicole?” he asked.

“Sore and happy to be getting married in two months.”

He chuckled, dropping into a chair at the foot of her bed. “What did the doc say about you?”

“Two cracked ribs from Fisher kicking me. The other injuries are bruises that will heal soon.”

The police chief shifted his attention to Mason. “You good?”

“Yes, sir. Deep bruises where bullets smacked into the vest. A few minor ones from the skirmish with Fisher.”

“You did well out there, Mason. Training with the teams at PSI paid off.”

Mason settled beside Nicole and tucked her against his side. “Thanks.”

“Patton and Fisher confessed to everything. As you know, Riva was interested in you, and Fisher killed her for it. He did his best to frame you for her murder and Todd’s injuries.”

“What about the drive-by shooting?” Nicole asked.

“The intent was to kill Mason. If that failed, they hoped the shooting would pass as a random event, and the frame job would send Mason back to prison. Fisher was also responsible for poisoning you with ketamine.”

Mason frowned. “If the goal was to get rid of me, why did Fisher accost Nicole in the alley behind Pet Palace?”

“He wanted to push you into attacking him. His planned to press charges or kill you and claim self-defense.”

“How did they hook up with the motorcycle gang?” Nicole leaned her head against Mason’s shoulder.

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