by Karen Renee
ERICA AND LAURA WANTED to spend some time with Clint, even though he was sleeping, compliments of his pain killers. I wandered out of Clint’s new room to give them some privacy.
Juanita cornered me in the hallway. “You have to go get some rest, mi querido.”
I shook my head. “I’ll be fine.”
Brock approached us. “She’s right, Raegan. You need rest, and Clint’s gonna need some clothes. I’ll drive you to his place, get a bag together, you can sleep in his bed.”
I squinted at him. “Did you two have this planned? Gang up on me to force me into getting some rest?”
A sheepish look crossed his face. “No, but I wish we had. And Gabe just texted. He’s dropped Penny off to stay with Tanya until the crime scene unit is done with the house.”
Juanita’s eyes were imploring. “Go. He’ll understand.”
I gave her a look. “And what about you? I’m not the only one who’s going to need her rest.”
She shook her head. “You don’t worry about me. It’s you he’s going to expect to be here bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the morning.”
I turned to Brock. “Okay, let’s go.”
Chapter 26
You’d Have to Stand in Line
Clint
“I WOULD KILL HIM AGAIN if the asshole weren’t already dead,” I heard Erica say, but I knew she wasn’t talking to me.
I opened my eyes and Laura’s eyes lit up with her smile.
“It’s about time you woke up!”
Erica glared at her. “Keep your voice down, Laura. People are sleeping.”
Laura ignored her. “You took at least a year off all of our lives, Clint.”
I smiled weakly. “Sorry about that. Where’s Rae?”
Erica squeezed my hand. “Mamá told her to go to your place and get some rest. Brock took her.”
My eyes widened. “She can’t be alone.”
“Carlos is dead, Clint. The threat is done,” Laura said.
I shook my head.
“Brock is staying with her, mi hijo,” Mamá said as she came into the room.
I didn’t like it, but I understood. She couldn’t be alone yet, and I wouldn’t want her sleeping in this hospital room anyway.
“Do you need anything?” Mamá asked.
“No,” I said.
She sidled up to the side of the bed near my head and ran her fingers through my hair. “I love you, Clint. Gracias a Dios, estas vido.”
I heard someone hiccup with a sob and saw it was Erica. Since I wasn’t sure how reassuring my smile would be, I squeezed her hand back.
She looked at Mamá. “Can you and Laura give me some time with him?”
“It’s not your fault,” I whispered.
Her eyes said I was full of shit.
“Sí, Erica. Laura, let’s get some coffee.”
As soon as they left, Erica said, “Clint, I’m so sorry! I can’t believe I was such a moron.”
I shook my head. “Honey, you didn’t shoot me. I’m surprised he got your phone away from you. Could’ve swore you had it surgically connected to your fingers years ago.”
She didn’t laugh at my joke.
“You said he was bad news. So did Mamá, and Laura, too, but I wouldn’t listen.”
I kept my mouth shut.
She whispered, “I guess it’s like you always said, ‘Some lessons have to be learned the hard way.’”
After a long blink, I looked at her. “No, Erica. He fucked up. He played you and you thought he’d changed, right?”
Her brow arched, but she nodded.
“Then stop beating yourself up. I’m still here, and I’m not going anywhere.”
She grinned. “Yeah, because for once you’re not in charge.”
I groaned. “Don’t remind me.”
We were quiet for a while.
“She really does love you,” she whispered.
“What’s that?”
“You heard me. Raegan really loves you. Took Mamá and Brock to convince her to go back to your place. Never thought I’d meet anyone who could be more stubborn than Mamá.”
I chuckled. The movement made my shoulder ache and I hissed.
Erica sat up straighter. “What is it? Do you need more medicine?”
I shook my head. “No, Air. I moved wrong when I laughed, that’s all. Chill out.”
She sighed, but fire lit her eyes. “Don’t tell me to ‘chill out,’ Clint. It’s not every day my brother gets shot.”
I sighed. “Don’t remind me. And for the record, you’d have to stand in line.”
Her brows knit. “Say that again? I think your medicine’s making you loopy.”
I grinned. “No. I heard you talking to Laura. You’d kill Carlos again if he weren’t already dead. You’d have to stand in line behind me, because I’d be first up.”
IN THE MORNING, RAEGAN arrived just as Paul was leaving. He had come up empty on getting phone records for either Trey or Angela. Before he left, he offered to let Raegan stay with him. I thanked him but turned him down. The nurses had insinuated that I should be discharged today, though it might not be until the end of the day, but I was eager to get home and have Raegan with me.
The threat still loomed for her, but it wasn’t likely the hit would be carried out because there was too much heat at this point.
Still, I wanted to get to the bottom of this. It didn’t make sense that Carlos was part of it. He wasn’t affiliated with any of the groups which might have taken the contract. With him being dead, any answers died with him.
No word from Debenedetti, though I’d always be indebted to him and his people. Phil kept me from bleeding out, and Jason, Debenedetti’s right hand, kept Carlos from shooting Raegan. My gut said Debenedetti knew more and it bothered me now more than ever.
Raegan watched Paul leave, and then she sat in the chair next to my bed grabbing my hand. “How are you feeling, baby?”
My lips quirked up. “Better now that you’re here.”
“Good,” she whispered.
I looked at her for a long moment. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you look like hell. You should—”
She pointed a finger at me. “Don’t even try to tell me to go home. I’m not leaving here without you.”
I glared at her. “I was going to say, you should take a nap today. Mamá always said I’m a lousy patient, so you’re gonna need to be on your A-game when I’m out.”
A skeptical look crossed her face. “Can’t believe you’re trying to toss me out when I just got here, mister.”
I squeezed her hand. “Didn’t say you need to leave right now, babe.”
Her eyes softened. “Good. Now, when are you blowing this popsicle stand?”
“They said today, but probably not until the end of the day. The doctor hasn’t even done his rounds yet.”
The cutest growl came from her and it nearly made me laugh.
“Have you had breakfast yet? I can go get you something or hunt down the people who need to get you fed.”
I smiled. “Ate just before Paul showed up.”
She huffed out a breath. “I feel so useless. There has to be something I can do for you.”
“There is. First you can give me a hello kiss, and second you can get my cell phone from my bag of personal items, which should be around here somewhere.”
“Unless your mother took the bag,” she said.
“She shouldn’t have.”
Raegan found the bag and dug out my phone. She looked at it and frowned. “I think it’s out of juice, but lucky for you I packed your charger in your overnight bag.”
I held my hand up. “Give it here.”
I touched the back of it, and it lit up, but the battery was low.
I asked, “Where’s Penny? She didn’t spend the night in the house, did she?”
She shook her head. “No, she stayed with Tanya. Though Brock mentioned the house should be open now. So, she might be home already.”
“S
hit,” I whispered and pressed the button to call Debenedetti.
He answered on the first ring. “Ramsey, I’m surprised to hear from you so soon after getting shot.”
“Yeah, I don’t have much time. My phone’s low on juice. Penny’s probably back in her house now, but nobody’s with her. You may think the threat’s done, but I’m not convinced.”
“All right. I’ll send Jason over to spend the day with her.”
I fought rolling my eyes. “Be better if you’d just share everything you know. I’m certain you’re keeping something from me.”
He sighed, but when he spoke his voice was earnest. “Believe me, Ramsey. You know everything that I know.”
Reagan
WHEN CLINT TOLD ME Debenedetti’s man would be spending the day with Mom, it didn’t sit well with me and Clint read that from my facial expression.
He grinned. “I don’t like the idea much either, Rae. But, since you need to get a nap, how about you hang at the house to make sure Jason can handle your Mom.”
I burst with laughter. “Please. I’m not sure she can handle him. He’s a little freaky to me.”
His eyebrow went up and down. “Good to know you can spot at least one snake in the grass.”
My head reared back. “Excuse me?”
He shook his head. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that, but your ex-husband should have had red flags flying for you from the beginning, honey.”
“Yeah, well, I think that’s an exception, don’t you?”
He laughed, and I didn’t know if he’d been given a fresh dose of drugs, but it sounded almost boyish. “I don’t think so, Raegan. But I suppose love can be blind.”
“Okay, let’s talk about something else. Were you able to get any rest last night with all the noise and stuff?”
He shook his head.
I stood, but leaned over him. “Since I didn’t give you a ‘hello kiss’ I guess I’ll double it up with a good-bye kiss too, so you can rest.”
What I thought would be a perfunctory peck turned into a much longer, lingering kiss and didn’t end until Clint’s doctor cleared his throat from the doorway. I felt my cheeks heat, but Clint wrapped a hand around my neck and angled my ear toward his mouth.
“You still have the gun, right?” He whispered his question.
I nodded.
“Hang on to it,” he muttered.
I grinned. “Brock already stressed the importance of that. Get your rest.”
I skedaddled from the room and hoped I could catch a ride with Brock before he left.
THIRTY MINUTES LATER, I stood in Mom’s foyer with Brock and Mom.
“Well, I never did care much for that carpet runner anyway,” Mom said, looking down at the blood-stained rug.
At least Mom had a positive outlook.
In a somber voice, Brock said, “Tell me where your garbage cans are, and I’ll take that outside.”
While he did that, I brewed a pot of coffee and Mom settled in the recliner with a paperback and the remote.
Brock tapped on the kitchen door, and I let him in.
Wiping his feet, he said, “Your newest buddy is here.
“You’re our buddy. This guy’s just a bodyguard,” Mom hollered from the living room.
Brock’s lips tipped up and he lowered his voice. “You keep that gun with you. Jason Lightner might be here to protect you, but I don’t trust him, and I doubt Clint does, either.”
I nodded and pointed at my purse on the counter.
Brock smiled. “Good but keep it close. Now, I’ll let him in the front, okay?”
I smiled back. “Thank you, Brock. You’re truly a lifesaver.”
“I’m no lifesaver, but you’re welcome.”
I stood at the mouth of the hallway. Brock let Jason inside and tipped his head to me. “Catch ya later, ladies.”
“Later!” Mom called, and I chuckled. Maybe the Sullivan brothers were keeping her young.
I smiled at Jason, but he didn’t acknowledge it. “Can I get you a cup of coffee or anything?”
“Sure. I take it black.”
He settled on the couch. “Don’t mind me, Mrs. Connelly. I got my orders from Tommy. You have nothing to worry about.”
I put his coffee on the table while stifling a yawn, but Mom caught it.
“You should hit the hay, Raegan,” Mom said. She turned to Jason. “If you don’t mind, I’ll take a nap, too. Tanya’s youngest is teething and was up at all hours last night.”
He nodded. “It’s all good. Leave me the remote, and I’ll watch ESPN.”
I felt like it was rude for us to hit the sack while this guy was here, but then again, what could he do to us? He’d already saved my life.
After I grabbed my purse from the kitchen, I said, “All right, well, I’m in the front room. If you need anything, just let me know.”
I WOKE UP FEELING LIKE I hadn’t slept a wink, but the dryness in my mouth indicated I must have been snoring. Curling up to a sitting position I debated taking my purse with me to the bathroom. It felt like overkill, but I knew not to ignore Clint and Brock’s warnings.
After I took care of business, I opened the bathroom door only to find my ex-husband, Trey, standing in front of me. My eyes widened and I felt the blood drain from my face.
His lips curled as he grabbed me by the bicep. “I’d take a picture of your face right now, but there’s no time for that.”
He yanked me out of the bathroom and shoved me down the hall to the living room. Fortunately, he hadn’t noticed me carrying my purse. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to get the gun out.
In the living room, Jason sat on the couch, counting stacks of cash from inside a small duffel bag.
“Did you really let this asshole into the house?” I hissed.
Jason’s shrug annoyed me, but his words made my blood run cold. “Your stupid boyfriend was right for once. Tommy’s too fuckin’ old to do what needs to be done. He thinks the gangs and shit want to push him out, but I’m gonna push him out.”
While I didn’t care about street crime politics, I needed to figure out if Jason or Trey had hurt Mom.
“That’s all fine and great, but what do me and Mom have to do with any of this?”
Trey emitted a humorless laugh. “If there’s no honor among thieves, there’s even less among thugs, Raegan. When I heard you had protection from someone here, I found the weak link and paid Jason off. He’s been watching and waiting for you to be left alone. So here we are, and Jason, now that you’ve checked the cash, you can go.”
He stood, zipped the duffel, and gave me a dead-eye stare.
“Don’t leave me with this asshole. Please!” I yelled.
He ignored me and walked out the door.
Shit. But I still had the gun, if I could get my hand on it...
My mind raced.
Trey said, “If I’ve learned anything, it’s that if I want something done right, I have to do it myself.”
I narrowed my eyes at him, but he backhanded me so hard I fell onto the recliner. My scream startled me since I hadn’t meant to make any noise. Mom must have been sleeping without her hearing aids because I couldn’t believe she hadn’t come out here.
With my awkward fall, my purse was wedged between my body and the chair. Taking my time, I shoved my hand into the purse to wrap my hand around the butt of the gun.
Trey narrowed his green eyes at me. “Gimme your phone. You’re probably trying to call someone right now.”
I made a petulant face, so he’d think he was right. Using my free hand, I pulled the purse away and tossed it at Trey. Then I stood, with the gun in my right hand.
“Fuck off, Trey. You aren’t killing me or anybody else.”
Chapter 27
Prayer of Thanks
Raegan
TREY STARED AT ME HOLDING the gun for a beat. Then he shook his head. “Like you know what to do with that. You’ve never shot a gun in your life, Rae.”
Thank goodness, I ha
dn’t told him about my time with Clint.
I pulled the hammer back, the sound getting Trey’s attention.
“That’s what you think. Now sit down.”
He bent his knees as though he would sit, but then he lunged for the gun and we both went down to the floor. My palm felt like sweat oozed out of every pore, but I kept hold of the weapon. Trey had at least sixty pounds on me; I had to use surprise to get back on top of him. Only, my efforts to throw him over weren’t working. His hands wrapped around my wrist, so I threw my head forward while bringing my knee up. He dodged my headbutt. I didn’t connect very hard with his groin, but it was enough to loosen his grip on my arm.
My hand was so slick, once my wrist was free of his grip, I squeezed the trigger.
His eyes widened and he fell to his side.
Mom’s bedroom door opened. She stood there with the house phone to her ear and she yelled our address into the phone. Then, she yelled, “My daughter just shot the attacker.”
I stood up and watched Trey touch his side. “You shot me,” he whispered.
I held the gun up and pulled the hammer back again in case he tried something stupid. He looked to the ceiling and kept his hand on his side.
Mom yelled at me. “Well, put pressure on that wound, Rae.”
Turning to her, I saw she was off the phone and staring at me as though I needed to get Trey a blanket. I shot a man I used to love, and now I had to save him?
I shook my head. “With what?”
“His blazer or whatever that is on the couch there. Something, anything. I don’t care, I just don’t want him bleeding on the area rug. I actually like that one.”
“Mom! This is no time to worry about your area rug!”
The front door swung open, and two uniformed officers barged into the room with weapons drawn. I slowly lowered the gun and one of them lowered his. He moved to Trey and checked his pulse. I noticed the officer was talking to him, but I couldn’t hear what was said over the ringing in my ears.
The officer with his gun still drawn directed Mom to sit on the couch and then he ordered me to sit with her. Paramedics came into the room. Within minutes, they had Trey on a gurney to move him out of the house.