Page 17 of Raven's Nest
Blue lights flashed in the parking lot, reflecting off the puddles already lining the pavement as a second police car pulled in behind Greer’s sheriff vehicle. Bodie jumped out, joining Greer as they talked for a moment, nodding and looking over at her.
Chase stood on the dock, medic bag slung over his shoulder as he shook his head, then gave her a hand up. “You know, I stayed behind because I just knew one of you would get hit. I swear you two need adult supervision.”
She scoffed. “It’s a scratch. Like I told Zain, not my first rodeo.”
“Which isn’t the point.”
“How’s Atticus?”
Chase thumbed toward the parking lot. “Mac ferried him off in the chopper. I don’t think his ankle’s broken, but he’ll be hobbling for a while. They’ve already landed at Providence. A quick x-ray, and I suspect they’ll slap a Tensor bandage on him, toss him some crutches, and he’ll be cursing with his ass in his chair in a couple hours.”
“And everyone else made it back safely?”
“Unlike you.” Chase held Zain’s gaze as he pointed at Saylor’s shoulder. “Can what’s hiding beneath your patch job wait until we get home? Or are we heading straight for Providence, as well?”
Zain moved in beside her, one palm landing on the small of her back. “Nothing you can’t treat. It’s more the blood loss than anything else, but I used the clotting powder. It should be fine for the ten-minute drive. Why?”
“Other than the torrential rain and the real possibility some asshole on a boat might try a drive-by shooting?” Chase motioned toward Greer and Bodie. “Greer wants this place sectioned off until the Coast Guard gets back to her about the salvage ship and the pirates. She needs to collect any useable evidence from Saylor’s boat. Bullets, I guess. In case this crew can be tied to other crimes, and we all need to make an official statement, but she said that can wait until tomorrow. But it’s best if we give her some space.”
Saylor groaned. “Great. Nothing says,come for a tourlike crime scene tape.”
Chase chuckled. “The weather gods say this system’sgoing to be hanging around for a few days so, I doubt anyone would be brave enough to chance a spin. Not to mention, your ride looks like it needs some work.”
“Tell me something I don’t know. At least in the Coast Guard, I didn’t have to fix all the shit I broke.”
Zain urged her forward. “It wasn’t your fault, and I promise I’ll help. But first, we need to get your shoulder fixed and both of us warmed up.”
Saylor glanced at her loft. “Shouldn’t I grab some clothes from my place, then?”
Chase shook his head, already opening his truck door. “You can borrow something from Zain. Greer really wants to get everything squared away before this weather gets any worse. She’ll call when they’re done. Either Zain can give you a lift back or you can stay with one of us.”
She froze, looking over at Zain, wondering if his heart had stopped cold when Chase had mentioned her staying over? If she was the only one struggling to breathe as she climbed into the cab, scooting across the seat when Zain jumped in beside her.
She arched a brow. “Don’t you usually ride shotgun?”
He smiled, leaning in until he was insanely close. “Someone’s gotta make sure you don’t pass out.”
“So, this is strictly for safety reasons?”
“That, and I thought we could pick up the conversation that was rudely interrupted.” He reached up and brushed some wet strands off her face. “What’s it gonna take to get a do-over?”
CHAPTER FIVE
It was official.
Saylor O’Conner was going to be the death of Zain, and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it.
Not that the revelation came as a complete surprise. His protective instincts had been working overtime for months. Every time she went on a rescue without his team backing her up, got his heart rate tapping. His damn nerves twitching. He’d always been able to compartmentalize his life before moving to Raven’s Cliff. Bury any emotion that didn’t belong on a mission. Since retiring…
It had been a slow decent into utter madness.
Watching Foster and Kash fall in love had been the start. All these feelings for Saylor…
That would be Zain’s undoing.
He sighed as they parked in front of Foster’s place. Lights spanning the length of the covered porch cast the home in a soft glow, the warm color spilling out beyond the steps, giving the fog a slight golden hue. Saylor’sbreath caught as Zain helped her out, the rough sound dampening all the heat that had sparked between them on the ride over.
He cupped her elbow. “Looks like the adrenaline’s worn off and the pain’s seeping through.”
