Page 225 of Cross & Crown

fact that she was out of a job now. Her colleague, Colin, had

showed up five minutes after it’d all gone down with a tray of

coffees. They obviously hadn’t been expecting trouble.

225

Hagan was grilling the Irish kidnapper in the back of his

unmarked car. Kelly thought Hagan was telling the man he’d

only send someone into the house to find the fingers Nick had

shot off if he talked, but Kelly was trying hard not to listen

since he was pretty sure that wasn’t legal.

Julian Cross and Cameron Jacobs were in the wind. Kelly

had a feeling they wouldn’t be seeing either man again.

Soon enough, Nick was being wheeled over to the

ambulance, and Kelly jogged over to take his hand as they

negotiated the curb.

Nick shook his head, obviously knowing Kelly was

trying to come up with something nice and cheerful to

distract him with.

“When we were in New Orleans and I took that bullet,”

Kelly said, like he was starting a bedtime story. “All I remember is you leaning over me and asking me what to do.”

Nick snorted and squeezed his eyes tight. The stretcher

jostled him and he winced. “That was Digger, Kels.”

“Was it?” Kelly laughed. “All I remember is you. And the

only thing I could think to tell you was don’t let go. Don’t let go of me. That’s all I could say.”

Nick opened his eyes, meeting Kelly’s as his grip on Kelly’s

fingers turned almost painful. “You never said that, Doc.”

Kelly blinked. “I didn’t?”

“You couldn’t say anything. You tried.”

Kelly waited a beat, brow furrowed. “I always thought I

got it out because . . . you held on to me the whole time.” He

glanced up as they neared the ambulance. When he looked

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