Cowboy In The Crossfire(21)

He gave a satisfied grunt and grabbed medical supplies out of the cabinet. "If Vince wanted us to, yeah. If he didn't..." Blake let the unfinished sentence ride the quiet of the room.

"What are you saying?"

"Vince was good at hiding the truth," Blake said finally as he lifted her sweatshirt and carefully unwrapped the bandage around her torso.

"He saved Ethan's life."

"He put you both in danger." Blake laid the blood-stained gauze on the table between them and pierced her with an accusatory gaze.

The chill in the air no longer came from the winter weather, but from his anger. Amanda looked up at him. "He did the best he could."

Blake's hot gaze flashed. "You want to know what your precious brother did? He wanted me to play their game. Look the other way. That's what I wouldn't agree to. That's why he framed me and hung me out to dry. Paul Irving in Internal Affairs tried to help. Even he couldn't stop them from railroading me."

"Vince wouldn't have."

Blake pulled out Betadine and more bandages from the Maddox house's medical kit and soaked some of the clean strips with the brown liquid. "Face it, your brother was involved with them, Amanda. That's why you were shot. That's why we're hiding out. Vince was a bad cop. He was never my friend. He used me. Worse, he let you and Ethan stay with him when he knew it was dangerous."

Amanda reeled back, shaking her head. "I won't believe that. He wouldn't put my son in danger." Vince had taken care of her. It couldn't be true. She rubbed her temple. "No. He was a good cop. Maybe he was undercover. Investigating them."

"You can delude yourself all you want, but it doesn't change the facts." Blake retrieved tape and scissors and set them next to the bandages on the table. He crossed his arms. "I need the truth. Did you know all along? Are you still covering for him?"

"The truth? That's easy. I'd do anything for Ethan." Amanda jumped up from the table, uncaring that her side could have burst into flames. "Don't do me any favors. I've got a plan," she lied.

"You've got men on your tail who have access to police systems. Exactly what is your plan?"

"I want him safe." She looked up at Blake and a wave of utter fatigue melted her bones.

"Not much of a plan. That's a goal."

She swayed and sank back into the chair as all her energy ran out of her. Blake's face grew blurry. He let out a sharp curse and came toward her. She shrank away, but he kept coming.

"I'm sorry," he said. He held her shoulders and cupped her cheek. "Vince is a sore spot for me, but I shouldn't have taken it out on you."

"He was my brother. I won't believe he betrayed his best friend. Or me." She sighed and dropped her chin to her chest. "I can't."

He knelt beside her and caught her gaze with his. "I admire your loyalty," he said as he shifted her shirt aside. "Hurting worse than ever, isn't it?"

She let him drop the subject. They'd never agree, and she understood why. Besides, she didn't want to fight anymore. She hurt, she was tired and she wanted to be safe.

"If we're going to bring these guys down, you need to be well and healed so your actions match your bravery."

Amanda gripped her fingertips and looked down. "I'm not brave."

He lifted her chin. "You faced me. And I'm damn scary." He quirked a smile. "Just ask the kids I stopped for joyriding last weekend."

His eyes twinkled and the gold flecks sparkled. For a brief moment she saw a hint of the Blake she'd known in Austin. The man with an easy laugh and smile, joking with Vince. His dry sense of humor had been one of the first things that had attracted her.

He'd lost some of that joy. Who wouldn't have? But the small inkling of playfulness made her heart flutter. He bent his head and his fingers explored her wound. She sucked in a sharp breath.

"Sorry," he muttered as he probed the tender skin. "It looks better. Not as inflamed. Maybe we lucked out." He swiped the gash with Betadine.

"So," she panted, trying to distract herself from the pain, "where do you think Vince hid the file? Did he send you a package?"

"The only thing I got from Austin was my last paycheck."

She couldn't process his words. With each stroke, her side exploded in fiery stings of agony. She wanted to run outside naked to cool the hurt. She couldn't stop the small cry from escaping.

Immediately, he stopped and stared at her, naked emotions showed on his face. The sorrow, the regret. A small tick pulsed at his jaw. He wasn't completely in control.

He swallowed and quickly wrapped her torso, finally pressing the bandage tight. "You're done," he said, his voice husky. His fingers lingered against the binding, hovering over her bare skin. "I'm sorry I hurt you."

"Feels better." She shifted a bit. "Thank you. For more than this. For saving our lives."

He shook his head. "I underestimated how much they wanted you. I put you in danger by staying at my place too long. It won't happen again." He lifted his hand and stroked the side of her cheek. "I promise."

She leaned into him, wanting the comfort, wanting the reassurance of his strong presence, knowing he wouldn't let her down. His hands stroked her arms, and she looked into his eyes. They burned hot, the green fire leaping under his hooded gaze--a familiar spark that smoldered beneath the surface the more time they spent together.