Page 49 of Knight's Desire

“We can have Payton, Syd and Bridget talk to her,” Jay suggested. “They’ll make her see reason.”

“She can stay with me.” The words were out of Brick’s mouth before he realized what he was saying, but he meant them. “I messed up by leaving her side tonight, and the stalker got to her. I owe her the protection she needs. If she decides to stay in town, we’ll move her to your house,” he told Tristin.

“Your case, your call. Just make sure your head’s in the right place.”

Brick’s head whipped around, his eyes narrowing in a menacing glare aimed at Tristin. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Jay stepped between them, sending his own scowl in Brick’s direction. “He means this woman has you tied in knots, so make sure you’re thinking with your head and not your dick when you’re making choices on her behalf. She’s a client first.”

“Right,” Brick drawled, cool steel lacing his tone. “Just like Payton was when you lost your shit over her.”

Brick stared down Jay as if they were more enemies than friends. The challenge was evident in their eyes and their stances, but neither made a move. At the end of the day, they were brothers. They got angry, busted each other’s balls, and called one another out on stupid shit. But they never went to blows, despite the strong temptation for Brick to slam his fist in Jay’s slightly crooked nose. It went against their code, which was ingrained in them too deep to be broken.

“Tryst.”

Brick, Jay, and Tristin all turned in the direction of the voice. They weren’t sure who exactly got their attention, but it didn’t matter. The doctor had appeared.

“I’m looking for the family of Isobel Garcia.”

Tristin stepped forward, his air of authority giving no doubt that he was in charge of the small army occupying the waiting area.

“You found it. How is she?”

The doctor looked at Tristin perplexed, his mouth open as if to question the group’s relation to Isobel. Then he seemed to change his mind and slipped back into his professional persona.

“She’s stable. She has some bruises and surface lacerations on her face and hands, but our greatest concern was the injury to the back of her head. She has a concussion, but her scans came back clean. There are no internal bleeds or swelling. The gash where she was struck had to be stitched up. She’s still a bit disoriented, so I’m going to admit her overnight for observation.”

“Can we see her?”

“She’s being moved into a room now. Once she’s settled, I’ll have a nurse come for you. But only a couple of you for now. She needs rest more than anything.”

Tristin nodded. “Thanks, doc. Her fiancé will be arriving any minute now. I’m sure he’ll want to stay with her tonight.”

Tristin never flinched when delivering the white lie. Egan and Isobel weren’t engaged, but they all suspected it was only a matter of time. For now, they would pretend it was true, so the hospital would give Egan access to Isobel and information on her condition.

The doctor went on his way just as Egan and Wings arrived. Tristin shared the news the doctor had given, and they waited until the nurse came for them.

“You and Egan go,” Tristin told Brick once they learned they could see her. “I know you want to ask her what she remembers about tonight.”

Brick’s eyes glanced over to where Payton sat with Hope, who was looking tired and forlorn.

“Go,” Jay added. “I’ll watch over your girl until you get back.”

Brick scowled. “She’s not my girl.”

Egan was already rushing out of the waiting room, so Brick trailed behind him. The lights were dim inside Isobel’s room, and his heart skittered in his chest to see her looking so pale. She always seemed untouchable, almost invincible, that he’d never considered her getting hurt working a case.

They were quiet, but her eyes still flickered open as if she sensed their presence.

“You guys look like shit.” Her voice was weak, but her lips curved in a slight smile.

“And for someone who got her head split open, you look beautiful.” Egan held her hand as if she could drift away from him if he didn’t grip her tightly.

“You scared us, Iz.” Brick stood on the opposite side of her bed. “You feel up to telling us what happened?”

“Son of a bitch jumped me. I smelled smoke when I was checking the house. I must have surprised him when I pulled into the drive. The fire pit was smoking as if a fire had just been put out. I was heading over to question the neighbors when I had this pain at the back of my head. Everything went black. I don’t remember anything after that except waking up here to see you guys.”

Brick filled in the details she was missing before continuing his questioning. “Did you get a good look at him?”

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