Forgotten Sins (Sin Brothers, #1)(81)
“Lucky you,” Josie breathed, pushing matted hair off her forehead. “I suppose you just heard?”
“Yep.” Malloy dropped into the seat next to her. The cushions protested with a wheeze of air. “The major is in excellent shape and will be fine. Good to know.” He flipped out his battered notebook. “So. Run me through what happened.”
Josie told the tale, leaving out the parts about finding Billy’s body as well as Matt’s name. She explained in detail who Billy was and what he’d done for his clients. She sighed. “Max the drug dealer said he killed Billy on the ninth floor of my building. You should check it out.”
Malloy raised an eyebrow, grabbing his cell phone and barking orders. “I sent two uniforms to investigate.” He sat back. “So. Tell me about this mysterious man who helped your husband.”
Josie rubbed her eyes. “I can’t. Shane said he met him in the alley, and the guy helped out. Maybe he was ex-military or something. Those guys stick together, you know.”
Malloy nodded, a slow smile spreading across his weathered face. “Just out of curiosity, how stupid do you think I am?”
“I don’t think you’re stupid at all.” And she didn’t. She’d known the detective wouldn’t buy Shane’s lame story about Matt. But she also knew Malloy couldn’t prove it was a lie, either. If she and Shane stuck to the story, even though they all knew it was a lie, there was nothing Malloy could do about it. “What did the Agers say?”
“That’s irrelevant.” For the first time, Malloy allowed irritation to flash across his thick features. “Describe the man.”
She shrugged. “I didn’t get a good look at him. I shot Max, Shane showed up, Max shot Shane… it’s all a blur.”
“Try.”
“Well, I guess he was about average size? Maybe with light brown hair and, I don’t know, maybe brown eyes?” She leaned forward, her gaze running the length of the sparkling clean hallway. “I only saw him from the corner of my eye. My focus stayed on all the guns.”
“Did mystery man have a gun?”
“I don’t think so, but I’m not sure.” She plastered her best innocent expression on her face before turning toward him. She’d learned it early in childhood. “I really wish I could help you. But the entire kidnapping was quite the ordeal, and my brain is just fuzzy.”
Bloodshot brown eyes narrowed. “Do you require medical attention, Mrs. Dean?”
“No.” She sighed, leaning her head back again. “I’m just bruised and tired, Detective.” The idea that Shane might not make it through surgery had made her heart hurt. Yet even then, she had faith he’d survive. Shane was a true warrior, enhanced. A simple bullet couldn’t take him down. Of course, that damn chip in his spine had a countdown clock in it.
She shook her head at her own na?veté. Of course he could die. But if anyone was larger than life, Shane fit the bill. “Are we finished?”
“Not even close.” The detective slapped his notebook shut. “I’m assuming there’s more to your story?”
“Nope.” Oops. She’d also left out the fact that Max believed Shane killed the thugs who’d been waiting at the house for her. “You’ll have to ask Shane after he’s rested up from surgery if he has anything to add.”
“I’ll be sure to do that.” Malloy stood, stretching his neck.
A nurse in bright purple scrubs bustled around the corner. “Mrs. Dean? You can see your husband now.”
Malloy dropped back into the chair. “I’ll wait so we can finish our discussion.”
Josie stood. “I thought we had finished.”
“Not even close.” The detective smiled.
Chapter 25
Shane let silence waft over his skin, filter through his pores to his muddled brain. Drugs. He hated being numb. Pain beat feeling nothing any day of the week. A ticking clock punctuated the silence. Then footsteps, soft soles, outside the room. On hard tile. The beeping of a machine filtered through, and finally breathing. Soft, sexy, he knew that breath. He opened his eyes.
Josie.
Warmth exploded in his chest. Determination straightened his spine. Angel. His one and only. “Hey, sweetheart.” His voice came out hoarse.
She scooted closer to the bed, sliding her small hand under his. “Hi.” Dark circles marred the soft skin under her stunning eyes. A bruise still spread over her cheek. Her hair wisped all over the place. Even her lips had gone pale.
Damn, she was beautiful.
He forced his voice to work. “You impressed the hell out of me today.”
Her smile lifted the corners of her eyes. “I just used moves you taught me.” A chuckle escaped. “You should’ve seen Max nearly hit the floor, though.”
Danger. Shane had failed to protect her from it. This time she’d protected herself. Pride filled him, chased by determination. No way would she be in danger alone again. He wouldn’t allow it. The world was Josie. Period. No more wondering, and no more changing his mind. His path was clear.“I’m proud of you.”
A pretty flush filled her face. “Thanks. I was glad you arrived when you did.” She frowned. “Sorry I got you shot twice… today.” A white tooth sank into her bottom lip.