Page 14 of Mountain Protector

After a beat, he casts a quick look around the small hospital room, his eyes narrowing as he takes it all in. “How long do you have to stay here?”

“I think I can leave later this morning. With all the paperwork, it takes a while to process everything.”

“Okay. That’s good. And the police?”

“I haven’t talked to anyone yet.” A thought hits me, sending ice water rushing through my veins. “Do you think I’ll be in trouble? For shooting that man? I don’t know how badly I hurt him.” My voice rises as I continue. “What if… what if he presses charges? Will I go to jail?”

“Absolutely not.” Knox takes my hand, engulfing it in his much bigger one. “You will not get in trouble. You were defending yourself. In your own home. You did the right thing.”

It makes sense, but in my scattered state, it’s hard to think rationally. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” His handsome features soften as he looks at me. “I’m sure, Lark. They’ll want to know everything that happened, but you will not be in trouble.”

Meeting his gaze, I take a deep breath and blow it out slowly. “Okay.”

We both fall quiet after that, just looking at each other. Something moves between us. A frisson ofsomething electric. Something that makes my heart skip a beat.

For a few seconds, I feel like everything is okay. Maybe better than that.

Knox blinks first, almost like he’s awakening from a dream. An indecipherable emotion moves across his face. Then he blinks again and says, “Actually, the entire team is here. Enzo, Gage, Alec, and Ronan. They’re out in the waiting room.”

“They are?” I know Enzo from his outdoor supply shop, where I went to buy new snowshoes and hiking gear. The others I’ve heard Knox mention from time to time, referring to them as his teammates and also close friends. “Why?”

A small smile curves his lips. “To make sure you’re safe.”

“Oh.” My first unspoken question is,why? Aren’t I safe in the hospital, surrounded by doctors and security guards and plenty of security?

A moment later, the chilling reality of my situation answers it for me. Because the person I shot is still out there. He could be looking for me. And security didn’t do much good at my house, given that a person broke into my house and I had no idea.

“Oh,” I repeat. A tiny shiver shakes my body. “Well. Um.” And now that silly pulse monitor they’re making me wear on my finger speeds up, beeping as it hits an irregular rhythm.

“Hey,” Knox soothes. His thumb strokes across the top of my hand. “You’re okay. You’re safe. It’s not that I think you’re in danger here. But I’d rather be safe than sorry, you know?”

Taking another steadying breath, I say, “You’re right. And I’m not usually this… easily rattled. I just don’t quite feel like myself right now.”

“Of course you don’t. Not considering…” His smile dips before lifting again. “You’re holding up fantastically, Lark. Trust me.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask how long he’s staying when a soft rap sounds on the open door. My body tenses as I look over to see two uniformed police officers standing there, one a woman with a long blonde braid, the other a tall man with piercing green eyes. They’re both wearing matching somber expressions, and despite Knox’s reassurance, my pulse jumps of its own accord.

As Knox squeezes my hand, the woman says kindly, “Hi. Lark Weber, right?” At my nod, she continues, “I’m Officer Nelson. And this is my partner, Officer Quillian. We’d like to ask you some questions, if you’re up to it?”

Before I can answer, Officer Quillian lifts his chin in Knox’s direction. “Knox. Good to see you.”

Officer Nelson looks at Knox. “Same. I figured you’d be here, since you’re the one who called it in.”

Knox gives both of them a quick nod. “Yeah. I want to make sure Lark’s okay.”

“So do we.” Officer Nelson turns her attention back to me and gives me a gentle smile. “Are you up for some questions?”

“Yes.” Not really. But I know I have to. “I didn’t take any pain meds. So I’d be clear-headed for this.”

The two officers walk into the room, stopping about six feet away from my bed. And with their eyes on me in this flimsy hospital gown, I feel more exposedthan I was during any of the examinations I had earlier.

Officer Quillian glances at Knox with his eyebrows raised. “If you’d like to give us some time alone with Miss Weber?”

No.

I don’t want Knox to leave.

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