Page 60 of Caught in the Crossfire

“Same as usual. Work, dinner with my beautiful bride-to-be, and maybe a movie if I can stay awake long enough.” He wouldn’t take bets on that last part of the plan, though. The way he felt at the moment, finishing the work day may be the extent of his grand plan.

“Will you be able to work today?”

“We’re on a deadline, and I don’t want to let Brian down.” He pressed a kiss to her mouth. “Thomas said I’d be tired for a couple days, but I’ll be back to normal after that.”

Mason released her. “I need a shower and real clothes. This hospital gown is drafty.”

She grinned. “I’ll be in the hall.”

When he’d showered and dressed, Mason came out of the bathroom to see Nate with one shoulder propped against the wall, waiting for him. “I thought you would have gone to work by now.”

“My bodyguard assignment doesn’t end until you leave the hospital.”

“Do I hear weeping and wailing coming from PSI?” Nate, a professional chef as well as Durango’s EOD man, kept the trainees and staff at PSI well fed.

“Serena Blackhawk is covering for me this morning. The staff and trainees won’t miss me.”

As a personal chef, the police chief’s wife was also in high demand. “Thanks for keeping an eye on us overnight.”

“No problem, Mase.” Nate looked at him a moment. “Someone has a target on your back. Who is the most likely culprit?”

He snorted. “The possibilities are endless.” Not everyone was happy that he’d moved to Otter Creek for a fresh start on life. Several people would be happy if he went back to prison.

“Think hard. This latest attempt to harm you could have had a tragic outcome.”

“I know.”

“Stay alert, Mason. This guy won’t give up, and next time he might succeed.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Nicole hid a yawn behind her hand. Good grief. She’d never make it through the day at this rate. And to think she used to stay awake all night studying for tests in college. Those days were long gone.

Although she wanted to call Mason to check on him, she resisted the urge. He was fine. If he wasn’t, Dean would have called her.

Nicole wished Mason had agreed to let a PSI trainee shadow him today. What if the person who drugged him tried to hurt him again?

She blew out a breath. Mason could take care of himself, and Dean and Brian had his back. Trusting the man she adored to take extra precautions, Nicole dragged her attention back to sending out reminders for upcoming grooming appointments.

Good thing the appointments were further apart today. Otherwise, she’d be guzzling caffeine by the barrel to keep going without giving a bad haircut to someone’s pet.

“Should I go to Perk and ask Sasha for her strongest coffee?”

At Rio’s good-natured teasing, Nicole rolled her eyes. “Not all of us have spent a week lounging on the beach in the sun with our sweetheart.” She grimaced. “As much as I want that coffee, I’m not sure my stomach could handle it right now.”

He sobered. “Still having trouble with nausea?”

“No, thank goodness. My stomach feels like it’s tied in knots, though. I’m worried, Rio. Ethan and Rod have been looking for Riva’s killer for days but it seems they’re no closer to making an arrest.”

“I’m concerned for you and Mason. Whoever is targeting you won’t give up until he succeeds or he’s stopped.”

“You think it’s the same person attacking both of us?”

“I’m not ruling anything out. What are the odds that you’re both being targeted at the same time without the attacks being connected?”

“Slim to none.” Great. Had she started this whole thing by going to Riva’s home to deliver Cosmo?

Mason called during his lunch break. “I’m fine although I am tired,” he said.

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