Page 58 of Lone Star Country Protector
The gunman had used Blakely and Jules to disarm Dalton.
“What about the bomb?” he asked.
“There’s a bomb squad outside right now,” Blakely said. “We should be getting word at any moment that it has been defused. At least, that’s the hope.”
“How long have I been out?”
“Half hour tops,” she answered.
Dammit. Dammit. Dammit.
The bastard slipped out of their grasp. At least they were all three alive and well. That counted for something. It was the most important thing. “He didn’t kills us when he could have.”
“I’m hoping some of what I said got through to him,” Blakely said.
“Which is?”
She leaned forward and kissed the back of his hand.“He was being paid to kill me. I offered more money. When he didn’t take the bait, I sowed seeds of doubt as to whether or not the person he’s working for could pay up.”
“Who would hire someone to kill you?” Dalton asked. “Johnny Spear?”
“I checked into his background and have no idea where he would come up with the money to hire someone to kill a judge,” she said.
The price would go up based on the amount of time someone would serve. “Then, who?”
“That’s the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question,” Blakely said on a sharp sigh.
Chapter Twenty-One
For a few miserable moments down in the parking lot, Blakely feared Hoodie was going to shoot Dalton. A panic attack took hold. It was as though the air had been sucked out of the universe, and she couldn’t breathe.
“We chased him, but he was prepared,” she explained.
Jules piped in, “The jerk had a motorcycle stashed in between two cars. One of those crotch rockets.” She shook her head. “We didn’t stand a chance because there was no way I was getting back inside my vehicle.” Jules smacked the flat of her hand against the wall. “We could have lost you, Dalton.”
“I’m here,” he reassured her, plucking at the cotton gown. “I’m good.” He assessed his injuries. “Can’t say my fashion sense is all that stellar.” He cracked a smile, and it broke the thick tension in the room. “Who dressed me in this?”
Blakely raised her hand, feeling the red blush heating her cheeks. “That would be me.”
“I helped,” Jules broke in.
“Great.” Dalton compressed his lips, looking like he had to bite back a snappy comment. “Then, you both must know where my pants are.”
Jules looked to Blakely and shrugged her shoulders in dramatic fashion. “Beats me.”
Blakely laughed. She couldn’t help herself. Herrelationship with Bethany had never been this light, this playful. This fun?
“Maybe you should hit that call button,” Blakely said. “Ask one of the nurses.”
“Okay, funny guys,” Dalton said, putting his hands in the surrender position. “For the record, I’ve never felt better.”
Jules nodded. “Sure. Is that why you squint when you look at me?”
“So I need glasses,” he quipped. “Doesn’t everyone at some point?”
“It’s late, Dalton.” His sister walked over to his bedside. “What do you think about staying put for the night and regrouping in the morning? This day feels like it will never end, and you know how I get when I’m running on E.”
“Since I’d planned on spending the night at the hospital anyway, that’s not such a bad idea,” he conceded, much to Blakely’s surprise. He shifted his gaze to her. “Will you stay here too?”
