Page 34 of Silver Sanctuary
“Thanks, man.”
“No problem. Send me the address and I’ll leave right now.”
“Will do.”
The line went dead, and Nash’s eyes drifted over to Lacy.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart, I hate to ask, but do you think you can find Hawk’s name and text him your address? I don’t want to take my eyes off the road.”
She didn’t answer, her hand reaching out toward the phone. Nash scooped it out of the cup holder and handed it to her, making sure his thumb hit the unlock reader before she took it from him.
“I’m sorry she had to call you…” Lacy’s small voice cut through the darkness as they hit the small highway between Silver Springs and Bell Ridge.
“No, Lace, don’t fucking apologize. She did so well. I’m so happy you had my number on the fridge for her to use.”
He finally dared to look over at her, his heart shattering at the sparkling track of her silent tears illuminated from the GPS screen.
Nash was about to lose his goddamn mind. He’d been kicked out of the exam room so the doctor could assess Lacy’s injuries. There had been a part of him that wanted to fight to stay, but the exhaustion on Lacy’s face said that would only hurt her more. So there he was, wearing down the linoleum right outside her room.
Finally, the door opened and the nurse he’d seen walking in with the doctor popped her head out.
“You can come back in now, if you’d like.”
Nash nodded, and stepped back into the exam room. Lacy was lying back against the bed, her face more relaxed than he’d seen it in a long time. She smiled as her half-closed lids blinked slowly.
“Are you still in pain?”
Lacy shrugged. “I think the meds they put in the IV are working. I just feel really numb and tired.”
He placed his palm on her forehead, sweeping a few wayward curly strands out of her face.
“Hawk called a little while ago. He paid your sitter and had Embrie pack an overnight bag for the both of you. Mae’s got her all set up in my guest room.”
“I’ll pay him back?—”
“He’s not worried about that.”
“Still, I will. And Embrie could have waited up for me on your couch. I’ll be okay to go home tonight.”
“No. You’re coming back with me.” Nash slid his hand under hers, letting his thumb trace circles over her skin. “For tonight, Lace, please don’t argue with me or try to sway my mind. I need to look after you—after the both of you.”
“Are we going to be able to go soon? I don’t want Embrie to worry.”
“Hawk told me that she’s in heaven getting the princess treatment from Mae. Something about girl sleepovers needing hot cocoa.”
“Oh, she’ll love that. I bet she’s even forgotten I exist at this point.”
Nash smiled, if only for a second. “Before they release you, I think we need to talk to an officer.”
“Nash.”
“No, I want you to hear me out. I know you’re on some pretty good pain meds, but your doctor assured me that you’d be alert enough to talk about this.”
“What if I don’t want to?”
“Someone hurt you. We need to file a report. There needs to be evidence in a file, waiting for the day the bastard is found.”
“There were two,” she whispered.
