Straight Flushed (Hot Pursuit #1)(2)

“Always the tough girl, huh? Want some help?” His brows furrowed.

“Eh.” I grunted. “I’m fine. I got this.”

“Yeah.” He laughed. “You look fine, Rocky. How’s the nose?”

“It’s reset. Should heal nicely.”

“And the ribs? I assume broken?”

“Again, yes. But they’ll heal.” I winced as a sudden pain knifed my lung.

“Look, if you don’t want to be my partner anymore, you only had to say so. You didn’t have to go through this whole charade. It’s a little overkill, don’t you think?” Touches of humor lit his eyes.

“Whatever.” I grinned, staring at the rain beading up on his inky hair. It reminded me of summer morning dew sprinkled on a spider’s web, except under the light of the moon, it appeared blue. I wanted to touch it but didn’t want to ruin the beauty. “I can’t believe you’re making a joke. Now. Comedic timing was never your strong suit.”

“Oh, whatever. You know I’m hilarious.” Over his shoulder, he scanned the streets. “All joking aside, we should get out of here. Who knows how many more of those men are out here.”

He was right, but the chances were slim anymore would show up. I’d been at the hospital for a few hours, and no one else had come to kill me yet. I’d been antsy and itching to leave since I’d arrived and was annoyed at how long the whole experience had taken. Given my injuries, I should have been in and out in an hour, but three hours later, I’d remained. It had been a busy night for the E.R.

“How’d you know I was still here anyway?” I’d checked my phone before I signed the hospital release forms and hadn’t gotten any texts or calls from him, or anyone.

“Don’t be mad.” He smiled and looked down at the pavement.

I squinted and cocked my head to the side. “You obviously already know I’m going to be mad. What’d you do?”

“Okay.” He glanced at me with an incriminating look and rubbed his lips together. “I jailbroke your phone that night you were at my house.”

“When?” A rush of heat rose to my cheeks, and I thanked God for evening’s arrival. “After we—” I stopped myself.

He grimaced. “After we what?”

“Ugh, never mind,” I sighed.

“Wait. Why are you being weird?” Even in the sinking light, I could see he was confused. He didn’t remember.

“I’m not.” I shrugged. “I just know when you did it and I’m irritated I didn’t suspect anything.” I pictured him lying on his bed with my phone in his hand. I knew exactly when he’d done it. Crackers! Hah! “You’ve got a lot of nerve violating my privacy like that.”

“I’m sorry, Di. I was worried and I had a bad feeling so I installed a tracing app and hid it.” He put his hands up defensively when he saw my pinched expression. “I only wanted to be able to find you if you something happened. It was just…a lot had happened and I wanted a little extra security.”

If there was anyone I trusted with my life, it was Vance. We’d been partners at Bodyguards and Brutes Personal Protection Agency for five years and we’d known each other long before that. If he’d felt the need to install things on my phone, he had his reasons. He’d always have my back. I’d, of course, kindly ask him to uninstall it at a more appropriate time.

“You can tell me how pissed you are later, okay?” Vance added. “Come on. I’ll let you yell at me in the car.” He tugged on my arm and began leading the way.

“Where are you parked?” I winced while taking shallow, painful breaths. “I’m no sissy, but this hurts like hell.”

“Around the corner.” Then he stopped and scooped me up weightless into his arms.

“Vance,” I protested. “Your shoulder.”

“I’m fine. You weigh the same as a bag of groceries.”

I sighed and crossed my arms over my chest then tucked my face inward to protect it from the tiny droplets of rain that had begun to steadily fall. He smelled like leather mixed with the steely smell of his sweat.

“You tell anyone—and I mean anyone—that I let you carry me then it’s over between us. You got me? I’ll rearrange your manhood and end your stellar dating career,” I said, my languid voice muffled by his jacket.

“You got it, baby. Our little secret.” His words radiated from inside his chest against my ear.

“Oh my God, and don’t call me baby,” I murmured, even though deep down I liked it. “I’m not one of your little hussies.” I managed to chuckle.

Vance’s charisma, flawless physique, and dashing good looks gave him the freedom to go through women like tissues; they practically lined up at his door. If I had ever let my guard down something might have happened between us a long time ago. Our chemistry was undeniable, but we kept everything strictly professional. We loved each other in our unique way and were destined to be great friends and partners, nothing more.

“You know you’re my girl.” He leaned down and put his nose to my hair. His draw of air was cool against my scalp. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Yeah, me too,” I said with a quiet laugh. There’d been plenty of moments throughout the day where coming out alive had been questionable, but every painful inch of my body reminded me I was.