Danny groaned in pain as he got upright but didn’t say anything. Jake didn’t want to jostle the injury, however he kept up a fast pace as they followed the trail out of the woods to where it opened up on the lake. As they approached the fence that ran the perimeter of the reserve, two patrol cars came to a screaming halt, followed by the ambulance.
Four officers were out of the cruisers, guns drawn as they jogged across the grass toward them.
“My God!” Peggy exclaimed. “Daniel, what happened?”
“We don’t know,” Jake answered for him as the paramedics rushed over with a stretcher. “We were out running and someone fired a crossbow at us. The first one missed, but the second—”
He grimaced as Danny made a pained noise when the paramedics got him on the gurney.
“Do you think it was an accident? Just some kids messing around or something?” Peggy asked, concerned gaze fixed on Danny as the paramedics started working on slowing the bleeding.
Good question. He didn’t know what the hell this was. If it hadn’t been for Danny’s car accident, he might have been ready to call this a case of wrong-place-wrong-time, but considering the dead body in the sedan Danny had crashed into, his instincts were telling him this was something. Problem was, he couldn’t see how or why the two incidents could possibly be connected and without anything more concrete than a gut feeling to go on, telling Peggy would likely be a waste of time.
“I have no idea,” he finally answered. “I didn’t see anyone clearly, just a figure running off through the trees in the distance after it happened.”
Peggy set a hand on his shoulder. “Okay, don’t worry. We’ll find whoever did this. We’ve got officers coming in from out of town, but we’ll start setting up a cordon and hopefully cut them off before they get too far. Go home and change, then you can get to work.”
“Actually,” he heard himself say before he’d thought about it. “I’m going to ride to the hospital with Danny. Just to make sure he’s okay. Is that all right? I’ll come in as soon as he’s settled—”
“It’s fine.” Peggy cut a quick glance between the two of them, and Jake hoped like hell she wasn’t reading anything into it. Because that was exactly what Danny didn’t want. “You take as much time as you need. I’ll let Sheriff Hayes know where you are.”
“Thanks, Peggy. I owe you one.” He turned and followed after the paramedics, who’d started wheeling Danny toward the ambulance.
“That’s two you owe me now!” she called after him as he climbed into the rig. He sent her a wave to let her know he’d heard her, before she turned and went after the other three officers who’d started searching for the perp.
He took a seat as the ambulance rocked into motion. Danny’s face was pinched and pale, but he was staring up at him.
“You’re going to be fine,” he told him in a low, quiet voice, clenching his fists in his lap to stop himself from reaching out and stroking Danny’s hair for comfort. He didn’t know if he’d want that, even though not touching him right now was killing him inside. Instead, he sent him the most reassuring smile he could muster. “And I’ll be right here the entire time.”
Danny nodded, clearly relieved, then closed his eyes.
Jake let the mask slip, rage and fear inundating him for a long moment. He didn’t know who had done this or why. Whether it had been an accident or something more sinister connected to Danny crashing into the sedan with the dead body two days ago. But Jake was sure as hell going to make sure they paid for every second of pain Danny felt and every drop of blood he’d lost.
Chapter Seven
THE PAIN had come down from a dizzying burn to a deep, stabbing ache since they’d removed the crossbow bolt and tightly bound the injury, the puncture wound so small they’d only put a single stitch in it. Danny felt sick, but he couldn’t decide if it was the residual shock of being fucking shot with a crossbow, or how much this little trip was going to add to the family medical bills. Jesus, his dad was going to have a coronary over it. But apparently he was lucky because it was only a flesh wound. Not in the least bit life-threatening and no broken bones in his shoulder, no surgery required. He was going to be sore for a few days, but that was about it. He sure as hell didn’t feel lucky.
The paramedics had given him something in the ambulance that took the edge off, but once they had him set up on a bed at the hospital in Conroe, they’d started a drip with the “good stuff” according to the nurse who’d put the IV line in.
Now he was just waiting for the painkillers to kick in. The doctor and nurse left, drawing the curtain closed behind them, leaving him alone with Jake, who—just like he’d promised—hadn’t left his side. Jake scooted the chair closer and folded his arms along the edge of the mattress. Someone had given Jake a black T-shirt at some stage, which was just a touch too small. It was stretching across his lean muscles in all the right places.
“You doing okay?” Jake’s hazel eyes were shadowed with concern.
“Apart from the hole in my shoulder? I’m doing great.”
Jake gave a quick laugh, though it sounded a bit forced. “Well, at least your sense of humor wasn’t damaged.”
“I didn’t realize my sense of humor was located in my shoulder.” He stretched his fingers out, brushing them lightly against Jake’s forearm. “I’m really glad you’re here.”
And he was glad they’d brought him to the bigger hospital in Conroe with the proper ER, rather than the tiny hospital in Everness that was more like a free clinic than an actual emergency room. At least here, he could relax having Jake by his side, because they weren’t likely to see anyone they knew.
Jake shifted his hand until it was next to his, catching their pinky fingers together. “I’m glad I’m here too, but I’m sorry this happened to you.”
“It’s not your fault. You didn’t shoot me with a crossbow.”
Jake’s expression became troubled. “No, but I still feel bad about it.”
“Why, did you tell someone else to shoot me with a crossbow?”
This time when Jake laughed, it sounded more genuine. “I think those good drugs the nurse was talking about are starting to kick in.”
“No,” he replied thoughtfully, realizing that everything was starting to feel all floaty. “I don’t think they are. I definitely don’t feel better yet.”
“You don’t?” Jake sent him an arch look.
“I’d feel better if you kissed me.” Oh. Had he just said that out loud? Yeah, from the way Jake was grinning, he had.
“Definitely the drugs. But I’m a terrible person, because I’m totally going to take advantage of your inebriated state.” Jake pushed up from the chair, then leaned over the bed. Except he didn’t kiss him right away. Instead Jake lightly rubbed his nose against his in an affectionate gesture that made Danny’s heart melt into a puddle. Or maybe that was the drugs too.
Finally, Jake kissed him, almost chastely. Which he supposed made sense. Now wasn’t exactly the time to get into some huge make-out session.
“Better?” Jake whispered against his lips.
He shook his head, and Jake grinned, before closing his mouth over his, kissing him properly this time. Oh yeah. That was so much better. But it didn’t last. Jake pulled back farther this time, then smoothed a hand through Danny’s hair.
“Enough of that.” Jake’s voice was teasing and lightly scolding. “Don’t want the doctors coming in here and wondering why your heart rate is so elevated.”
The curtain swooshed open and Jake snapped upright, shifting quickly away from the bed. Sheriff Hayes walked in, but he was distracted, focused on the cell phone in his hand. Danny let out a silent sigh of relief. That could have been a huge problem. The damn drugs had completely swamped his mind, and for a few minutes there, he hadn’t even cared or thought about anyone walking in and catching them.
“Perez, I brought you a spare uniform.” Hayes finally looked up from his phone, handing the bundle of clothes over to Jake.
“Thanks, sir
. I’ll go change right away.” Jake sent him a kind of reassuring look, which he supposed meant he wasn’t going far or would be right back or something. Danny nodded in return, and then Jake slipped out as Hayes sat down in the chair Jake had been sitting on a few minutes ago.
“Son, how are you feeling?” Hayes patted him on the arm in an almost fatherly gesture. Hell, he couldn’t even say it was fatherly because it was probably more than his own father would ever give him.
“I’ve been better,” he replied, voice coming out rough as emotion suddenly ambushed him out of nowhere. Hopefully the sheriff would just assume it was the pain or something.
“Your parents are on their way, called them myself. And we’ve got a dozen officers searching for whoever did this. But I need to ask you some questions, if you’re feeling up to it.”
“Of course.” He nodded and cleared his throat, mentally preparing himself for the same routine as yesterday when he’d given his statement about the accident. Two police statements in two days? That was some run of bad luck.
“What were you doing out on the Gaines Reserve trails so early this morning?”
“Running,” he answered, hoping the sheriff didn’t notice the catch in his voice. It had definitely started out that way but it had ended—
Nope. He wasn’t going there right now.
“With Perez?” Hayes clarified, making notes in a small flipbook.
“No, we had just bumped into each other a few minutes before. I think he lives nearby or something.” He inwardly cringed at how awkward the words had sounded.
But Hayes simply nodded. “Did you see anyone else? Could anyone have been following you?”
The sheriff’s questions made his blood run cold, remembering the shadowy figure on the street the night he and Jake had walked home from Monroe’s.
“Do you think someone could have done this on purpose?” But why? The idea it was some homophobic coward brushed the edges of his thoughts, but he shoved it away. No one in Everness knew about him… although Jake wasn’t exactly subtle. Except it sounded farfetched, even in his own head, so he wasn’t about to say anything out loud to the sheriff.
“Not likely,” Hayes replied, not sounding overly concerned. “It was probably just some kind of accident. Wrong place at the wrong time type thing. I just have to make sure we follow up all possible lines of enquiry.”
“Oh, okay,” he replied, not feeling all that reassured. But the sheriff was likely right. Surely if someone was going to shoot someone, they’d use a gun, not a crossbow… and if that wasn’t the most messed up bit of logic, he didn’t know what was.
Jake returned, slipping back through the curtain, uniform neatly in place. He shifted to stand on the opposite side of the bed to Sheriff Hayes.
“Did either of you get a look at the perp?” Hayes asked, not missing a beat as he continued taking notes.
“I saw someone running away, but they were in the trees and moving fast.” Jake crossed his arms, taking up a wide-legged stance, looking every inch the solider he’d once been. “All I can tell you is that they were most likely male, wearing dark pants and a dark shirt. I’m not even sure what color—sorry. I should have taken more notice or gone after him, but Danny—”
Jake broke off and caught his gaze, expression troubled again.
“You did the right thing, Perez.” Hayes finally glanced up from his notebook to settle a firm look on Jake. “If you’d gone after him alone and unarmed, you could have been killed, no matter what kind of training you got in the Army. And obviously Daniel needed immediate medical attention. I can understand if you didn’t manage to work out what color clothes he was wearing.”
“Do you think there’s something to this?” Jake tilted his chin up slightly, like he was preparing himself for bad news. “Could it somehow be connected to the dead body in the car that Danny crashed into?”
Hayes shook his head. “I’m sure this’ll turn out to be a coincidence and an accident. Some fool teenager messing around with a powerful weapon he shouldn’t have, or something like that.”
“So you haven’t managed to find any suspects near the reserve?” Jake asked, frowning deeply.
“There was a lot of ground to cover and not enough officers to go around. We’re not ready to give up yet. They sent a K9 unit from Houston, but whoever it was could be long gone by now. This one might end up remaining a mystery. Sorry, Daniel.”
He gave a shrug and then winced at the distant echo of pain. He probably should have an opinion on that, but everything was all good. All floaty and tingly. Especially with Jake standing there. Jake was hot. And amazing. And goddamn, the guy could kiss. He wanted to keep Jake forever.
“Jake saved me.” The words came out kind of dreamy, and he aimed a smile at the guy, who was looking at him in exasperation. “You saved me twice. No one’s ever saved me before.”
“They gave him some heavy-duty drugs,” Jake said to the sheriff with an amused note in his voice.
Hayes laughed. “Yep, that’ll make him loopy all right. Better leave the rest of the questions until later.”
“Might be an idea if you want to get any straight answers out of him.” Jake was looking at him with a smile that made his toes curl, and he didn’t care about anything else in the world.
Sheriff Hayes got to his feet and slipped the notebook away into his pocket. “Get some rest, Daniel. And don’t give those nurses too much trouble.”
“Don’t want the nurses. Just Jake.”
“Sheriff, you mind if I wait here until his parents arrive?” Jake said loudly, almost right over top of him.
Hayes passed a look between them, but Danny’s brain couldn’t process anything. Except for the fact that Jake had asked to stay with him. Jake was so awesome.
“Just so he’s not alone. Think someone should keep an eye on him, especially now that he’s totally high.”
“Good idea.” The sheriff nodded. “Just wait until he sobers up. Then we can give him hell about it later.”
“I’ll be sure to record some footage on my phone so we’ve got proof,” Jake replied with a wink that left Hayes laughing.
“I almost feel sorry for him. But Daniel knew how to get himself into mischief when he was a teenager, so I don’t feel too sorry. Take as much time as you need. Just message me when you’re done.”
“Thanks, Sheriff.” Jake walked with Hayes to the corridor and bid him goodbye before pulling the curtain closed again.
Turning, Jake started laughing. At first, he tried to contain himself, but then he gave up and collapsed in the chair next to his bed.
“What’s so funny?” he asked, unable to work out if he should be laughing as well.
“You.” Jake gasped in a breath. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be laughing. You’d probably be dying of embarrassment if you weren’t so high. If you remember any of this later, you’re going to be kicking yourself.”
“Why?” It felt like his brain had turned to candy floss. Delicious fluffy candy floss.
“Because you sounded like you were head over heels—” Jake broke off, expression becoming a little more serious, but no less amused. “Oh, Danny. I can’t be here when your parents arrive. You’ll give yourself away in a second flat, and then you’ll hate yourself. Or worse, you’ll hate me.”
He reached over and took Jake’s hand. “But I don’t want you to leave.”
“I know.” Jake reached up and stroked strong fingers through his hair, and he decided right then and there it was his favorite thing ever. “I don’t want to leave either. But I have to go see if I can find who did this to you. And I really don’t think it’s a good idea for your parents to see us together, not if you want to keep your secret. When your parents get here, I’m going to leave straightaway. But I’ll call you later today to see how you’re doing, okay?”
“Fine.” He didn’t like it, but maybe he needed to listen. Jake would look after him.
“Are you pouting?” Jake sent him an incredulous look.
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“No.”
“Oh my God, you totally are. And it’s too cute.” Jake let go of his hand but leaned down and kissed his forehead. “I never stood a chance with you, did I?” Jake whispered.
He straightened and shifted back from the bed, going to stand at the end near where the curtains parted.
“Why are you all the way down there?” It was definitely too far away.
“Because we absolutely shouldn’t be anywhere near each other when your parents arrive, which I’m sure they will any second now.” Jake pointed a stern finger at him. “And no more pouting about it.”
“Yes, sir,” he muttered darkly. He blinked, suddenly feeling sleepy.
“Smartass. I’m going to get you back for that later.” Jake sent him an easy smile. “Why don’t you close your eyes and get some rest?”
“No, I’m okay,” he said over a yawn. Except then everything slipped away into a gentle darkness.
Chapter Eight
JAKE SLAMMED the front door to his house and then kicked off his boots with more force than necessary. He was tired, hot, and frustrated. They’d spent hours searching in and around the reserve, as well as door knocking the houses down the block and found no sign of whoever had shot Danny with the crossbow.
They’d found the weapon tossed aside in some bushes off the path he and Danny had been standing on when he’d been shot with the bolt. But of course it’d been wiped clean of fingerprints. There’d been no other obvious evidence lying around, no convenient manifesto listing all the reasons someone had decided to walk into the nature reserve that morning and shoot Danny. They were going to send it away for DNA traces. However, since no one had been killed, there wasn’t any real urgency to the crime so it’d probably be weeks before any results came back.
Talking to the sheriff and Peggy, it seemed they were all under the impression this had been some unfortunate accident and whoever had done it probably hadn’t intended to hurt Danny. Did they miss the fact that two arrows had been fired? As the day wore on, they’d hinted more and more that this case was probably going to remain unsolved and soon forgotten.
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