Page 95 of Cruel Ice

“Poor guy doesn’t remember anything else. Docs say it is probably because of the trauma from the gunshot.”

Marley started to move closer to Parker.

Declan tightened his hold on her wrist. “Stay. Please.”

Ah, it was that roughpleasethat got to her.

Parker glanced at her, then at Declan. “Heard I have you to thank for the fact that I’m still alive.”

“You do.” Marley was adamant. “He shielded you with his body.”

Parker’s jaw clenched. “Thank you,”he bit out.

Behind him, Hunter flashed a broad smile. “Was that hard? It wasn’t, was it? Didn’t killanyone.” He began to reverse the chair. “Let’s give them some privacy?—”

“I remember everything,” Declan said.

“Good for you,” Parker muttered.

“I suspect you do, too. You owe me no favors. If you want me locked away, do it.”

Parker opened his mouth to speak—and the hospital door opened again. Royal strolled in, easing around Parker and his wheelchair with a quick, side glance. Then he paused at the foot of the hospital bed to study Declan. After a long moment ofstudy, Royal nodded. “You’ll survive. Good to know.” He paused. “I was afraid that you’d die and leave your whole fortune to me. Do you have any idea what a pain in the ass that would have been for me?”

“Glad I stayed alive and didn’t inconvenience you,” Declan returned. And he…smiled. A real smile. Not a dangerous one. Not a menacing one. Not a smile that never reached his eyes. This smile—it tilted his lips, it flashed his strong, white teeth, and it lit his gaze. He looked happy. Really, truly happy.

I want him to smile like that so much more.

Royal blinked, as if caught off guard, and then he pointed at Marley. “You.”

“Me—what?”

“You scared the hell out of me.” He shuddered. “For a minute there, I thought you’d attacked the bad guy with theVan Gogh.New rule, we don’t use theGoghon our enemies. Not ever. We use much, much cheaper art.”

Fine. She’d just make a mental note of that request.No, I won’t. I’ll use whatever is handy.

Royal glanced back at the detective. “Feeling grateful because my brother saved your life?”

Parker frowned.

“Marley told me the story.” Royal rubbed a hand over his chin. “How Declan bravely stood between you and a bullet. And to think that you were trying to send him to jail. I hope someone learned a valuable lesson.”

Parker growled.

“Parker mistakenly thought Declan might have something to do with the death of a prison inmate called Sebastian Glass back in Georgia,” Hunter explained to Royal. “Don’t worry. I helped him to see the error of his ways. The guards at the prison have admitted they made a mistake letting Glass in with general pop, and Glass—being the asshole he was—he antagonized the wrongprisoners. No way Declan could be involved in something like that.”

Parker’s gaze was on Declan. “No way.”

“Now, I’ll just get him back to his room…” Hunter wheeled Parker back a bit.

“Wait.” Declan pushed up in the bed. Then winced in pain.

“You have to take it easy,” Marley murmured. Shehatedhis pain.

“He was shot, too,” Declan groused as he eyed Parker. “And he’s rolling around. I can’t let the cop get ahead of me.” He pushed up a little bit more. “I don’t want you always gunning for me, Parker. If you’ve got an issue, say that shit now. I’m tired of my enemies hiding.”

“Your latest two enemies are dead,” Royal pointed out. “They aren’t hiding. They’re in a morgue.”

Declan kept his gaze on Parker.

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