Behind the Lies (Montgomery Justice #2)(23)

Every so often Sam would get up, but for the most part he’d just stayed next to Zach, unmoving and not speaking—unlike Zach’s four-year-old niece, Joy. That worried Zach more than anything. Weren’t five-year-olds much more…lively and prone to trouble?

Sam was too polite.

“Why can’t I see my mommy?”

Sam gazed up at Zach with eyes just like his mother’s, not only in color, but in the apprehension simmering behind the golf-course-green pools.

Zach ruffled Sam’s hair. “The doctor is looking at her. I’m sure we’ll be able to see her soon.”

Sam bounced his leg up and down, clearly nervous.

“She doesn’t like doctors,” he said, his voice so low Zach had to bend closer to hear him. “My daddy made her go to a lot of them. She gets hurt a lot.”

Zach’s lifted his gaze to the ceiling so Sam wouldn’t see the fury simmering behind Zach’s eyes. Why couldn’t his gut have been wrong? His hand itched to grab Brad Walters by the throat and give him payback for everything he’d ever done to Jenna.

Then the disgust turned inward. Zach had lived next door and hadn’t known what was going on beyond the walls protecting him.

Walters had given off a noxious vibe. If Zach had taken the time to meet him, he would have known something was wrong in the house behind him. When had he lost sight of the world around him?

Even tonight, Zach had been focused on his own problems—he did have someone out to kill him after all. Walters had never been after Zach, though. He’d been after Jenna. The idea of the bastard laying a hand on someone as fragile as her…Zach tightened his fists, and his teeth ached as he gnawed over the truth.

Vulnerable and gentle. With no one to help her.

That would change.

A small tug jerked him out of his contemplation. Zach cast a sidelong glance at the small boy twisting his fingers.

“My mommy needs me.”

Zach picked Sam up and stood him on the floor. With an unswerving gaze, Zach looked the kid square in his wide-eyed gaze. “Do you know what a lie is, Sam?”

“When you make up a story to get out of trouble. Mommy won’t let me lie.”

“I need you to tell me the truth. Does your daddy hurt you? Does he hit you?”

Sam bit his lip and bowed his head, avoiding Zach’s gaze. “Not really. Sometimes he yells a lot. That’s when Mommy and me go away, ’cause he’s in time-out. That’s where he is now.” Sam scuffed his feet. “But after he’s bad, he plays ball with me or takes me to a baseball game. I like that.”

Zach had his own suspicions about what happened between Jenna and Brad behind closed doors.

The clinic’s double doors swung open. “Mr. Smith?” The doctor gave Zach a secretive smile. One more person who clearly knew his identity. He stood and Sam jumped up with him.

“Your wife has a concussion, but the CAT scan doesn’t show any other concerns.” He frowned slightly. “She’s a stubborn woman and refuses to stay overnight. I hope you can convince her.”

Zach nodded. “I’ll do what I can.”

He took Sam’s hand and together they followed the nurse to the end of the hallway. The nurse shoved aside a curtain.

Sam dropped Zach’s hand and bounded across the room to his mother. “Mommy!”

He jumped on the bed.

Jenna clutched Sam into her arms, closing her eyes in relief. She kissed his forehead. “You all right?”

“The Dark Avenger saved us,” Sam said.

Jenna struggled to sit up and pasted a smile on her face, but her complexion matched the white sheets.

“Whoa, there,” Zach said, hurrying across the room and pushing her into the pillow. “Now I can see why they want you to stay.”

“I can’t.” Jenna’s gaze fell on her son, but she lowered her voice. “He’ll find us.”

“Mrs. Smith?” the nurse said.

Jenna didn’t answer, she just gaped at Zach, her vulnerable gaze tugging at emotions he’d thought he buried.

“Mrs. Smith?” the nurse repeated, giving Zach a long, questioning look.

Zach lifted her chin and sent Jenna a pointed stare. “Darling, the nurse is speaking to you.”

Jenna blinked once. Her eyes widened with understanding, and she glanced at the nurse, clearing her throat. “I’m sorry. I was so relieved my son wasn’t hurt in the accident, I didn’t hear you.”

The nurse held out papers for Jenna. “The doctor reluctantly signed your release forms. You’re free to go once you provide your signature.”

Jenna nodded and winced, putting a hand to her head. Zach took the papers.

The nurse sighed. “Call if you need anything.” She gave Zach one last worried look, then left.

“You should stay tonight,” Zach said, even though he would rather get them both up the mountain.

Jenna ignored him and eased her feet to the floor. She stood up and swayed.

Zach let out a sharp curse.

“You said a bad word, Dark Avenger,” Sam muttered from his mother’s side.

Zach flushed and steadied Jenna.

“Clothes,” she whispered. “Please.”

With a shake of his head, Zach handed her a pile from the chair. “Come on, Sam. Your mom needs to get dressed.”