Forgotten Sins (Sin Brothers, #1)(80)

Max sucked in air. “I have money. A lot of it.”

Shane’s stance didn’t change. “I don’t give a shit. In fact, I’m having a mental debate about whether or not I should kill you.”

Paul sobbed louder from where he lay curled on the floor.

Shane glanced down, his shoulders straightening. “Get off the floor, *.”

Without warning, Max grabbed a gun from behind his waist and pointed it at Shane, pulling the trigger. The explosion rocked around the room.

Shane fell back. Josie grabbed him, holding him and easing him to the floor. Her eyes widened at the amount of blood, and she gasped. “Shane.”

The pounding of running boots echoed. Three uniformed police officers rushed into the room, weapons drawn. “Drop your weapons,” the first bellowed.

Max dropped his gun, raising his hands.

Shane perched on his knees, partially doubled over, yet still shifting his weight to shield Josie from the cops’ aim.

Josie grabbed his arm. “How bad?” Blood gushed from his stomach.

“Bad.” Shane paled. “Surgery bad.”

Fear caught a sob in her throat. She glanced up. “Get an ambulance.”

“It’s on the way,” the first cop said. “What happened?”

“I’m Josie Dean and those guys kidnapped me.” She pointed to Max. “He was going to kill me, but I got his gun.” Her hand wavered as she held the gun out to the police officer. “I shot him.”

The cop nodded, taking the gun. “Yes. The whole force is out looking for you.” He nodded to the other two cops. “Cuff them.” The other two hurried over to Max and Paul to place them in handcuffs. “We’ll take the wounded to the hospital first.”

Josie gripped Shane’s arm like a lifeline. More sirens grew louder.

Shane cleared his throat. “Did you get the two tied up in their car?”

“Yes.” The officer glanced at Max and then back. “They couldn’t wait to start talking about Max the famous drug dealer here.”

“Good.” Shane huffed out a breath. “There was another man in the ally, one who helped me tie them up, but he wouldn’t say who he was.”

Josie kept her face blank. So no one was supposed to know about Matt. She’d play along. But her ears rang, and her hands shook.

“We’ll get descriptions from you both.” The cop’s thick mustache wriggled when he spoke. “You can answer questions at the hospital, Mrs. Dean.”

*

Josie rested her head against the pale pink wall. Who made hospital walls pink, anyway? She shifted her weight onto the hard leather of the seat. Waiting. She hated waiting. Shane had been in surgery for an hour. Maybe more.

Matt dropped by every once in a while for an update, otherwise staying in the background. Just his presence somewhere in the hospital brought her some relief. She took a deep breath. Enough of the on-again, off-again plans for her future. She’d seen the worst of Shane, and she’d seen the best. It was time to make a decision and stick to it—no matter what. A near-death experience tended to put things in perspective now, didn’t it?

She could go on her own way and build a pretty good life for herself. Maybe even find a nice man and have a couple of cute kids.

But something would always be missing. She’d always dream of Shane, and of what they might’ve had. His life expectancy wasn’t great, but he had some time. And she wanted to be a part of that time—to take what they could. Maybe they’d even win and find a happy life. But she never wanted to look back and wonder—and she couldn’t waffle anymore. The decision she made, sitting in the scary hospital, would be the one she stuck with absolutely.

For the first time, she had people who were hers. The sense of possession surpassed the sense of belonging she’d always craved. No wonder people died or killed for family. There was no other feeling in the world as being bound and not alone. Right or wrong, she felt safe.

She chose Shane. The risk was worth it. Peace settled through her body.

The doctor, still in surgery scrubs, sidled his impressive bulk down the hallway toward her. Bushy eyebrows rose over thick spectacles. “Mrs. Dean?”

“Yes.” She straightened in her chair, wincing as bruises from her journey in the trunk flared to life.

“Your husband came through the surgery just fine.”

Her breath exhaled in a whoosh of relief. She hadn’t realized she’d been holding it. Her lungs cried for more oxygen, and she breathed in deep. “He’s all right?”

“Yes, quite.” The doctor pursed full lips. “He’s in excellent shape. The bullet did minimal damage, though I’d like to keep an eye on him tonight to ensure there’s no internal bleeding.” He nodded at a passing doctor wearing a long white coat. “Your husband should be up from surgery in about thirty minutes, and then you can see him.”

Tears pricked the backs of her eyes. Shane was okay. “Thank you, Doctor.”

With an absent nod, the doctor turned and followed his colleague.

Detective Malloy sidled up from around the corner.

Josie sighed. “Is there a case in town you’re not assigned to?”

Malloy grinned, twirling a toothpick in his mouth. “Lots of them. But you and your husband, Mrs. Dean, well… you’re mine. Whenever your name comes up, I get the call.”