Roped In (Armed & Dangerous #2)(8)

Logan walked with me to the end of the hall, to Nick’s closed door. Taking a deep breath, I held onto the doorknob, afraid of what I’d see on the other side. I closed my eyes and felt warm tears fall down my cheeks.

“You have five minutes,” Logan murmured.

I blew out a breath and opened the door, letting it shut quietly behind me. The TV was on, but I could barely hear the sound from the pounding in my ears. Felicity was asleep in the corner, a box of tissues on her lap, snoring lightly. The curtain blocked Nick from sight. Taking a few steps into the room, he came into view and I covered my eyes with my hands. He was so pale and definitely didn’t look like the vibrant jokester I knew him to be.

Taking a moment to collect myself, I breathed deep and made my way to the bed. “Nick?” I whispered, clasping my fingers gently through his. I thought I’d get a response, but there was nothing. He was so still. My heart broke, and I hated myself more than ever. I’d lost Scott and there was a possibility I’d lose him too . . . all of this because of me, for my protection.

What would I do without him?

“I’m sorry, Nick. I’m so, so sorry. I’d give anything to take back time.” I held his hand to my face, my tears soaking his skin.

“You’re here,” Felicity said.

I glanced over my shoulder. “Hey. Sorry for waking you. I can’t stay long, but I had to stop by.”

She slowly got to her feet and a handful of used tissues fell to the floor. I hated having to leave her. “Do you have to go back to the station?” she asked.

I turned my focus back to Nick, swallowing the large lump in my throat. I had to tell her the truth. “No. I have to go away for awhile. I didn’t want to tell you over the phone.”

“Where are you going?”

A light tap sounded on the door and when it opened, Logan stuck his head in. He nodded at Felicity and then focused on me. “We have to go.”

I lifted my finger. “Just one more minute.” As soon as the door shut, my chest hurt. I hated goodbyes.

“What’s going on, Hadley?” Felicity demanded.

Reluctantly, I let Nick’s hand go and faced her. “I’m under police protection, until they can find whoever did this. In the meantime, I’ll have to cancel my shows. You don’t have to worry about any of the details. I’ll get it handled. Soon, Nick will be up and moving around and we can get back to work. This whole nightmare will be over.”

Lip quivering, she lowered her head and nodded. “As much as I hate you leaving, I understand. I just know Nick will be worried sick about you when he wakes up.”

My time was running out, so I hugged her quick. “I’ll call and check up on you both every day. Just make sure to answer your phone. The number will probably be untraceable.”

“I will.” She stepped aside so I could move closer to Nick.

I kissed his cheek and rested my forehead against his. “Come back to us. I miss you already.” One of my tears fell on his cheek, and I wiped it away.

“How long do you think you’ll be gone?” Felicity wondered.

“I don’t know,” I whispered, turning to face her. “I honestly don’t know.”





Blake

“How’s your hand?” Tyla asked, smirking at the gashes on my knuckles. “You really messed Trent’s shit up last night.”

I grabbed Snowflake’s brush and glided it down her body. My hands hurt like a bitch, but I’d do it all over again just to hear the crunch of Singleton’s nose as I pounded on his face. His first mistake was seeking me out.

Clenching my fist, I watched the blood ooze out of the gash on my right hand. “It’s fine. Can’t say the same for Singleton’s face though.”

She snorted. “That’s for damn sure. I don’t think he’ll be messing with you for a while. Did Rayna come over to nurse you back to health?”

I moved over to Snowflake’s other side, brushing her gently. “She tried, but I’m done with that thundercunt. I don’t need the drama.”

“It’s not like you can’t find someone else. Every female in town’s been salivating over you since you moved here.”

“Including you?” I joked.

“Please,” she scoffed with a roll of her eyes. “You were intriguing for like a second, then reality struck. You’re not my type.”

We both laughed and finished grooming the young mare. Tyla was a beautiful woman, but I knew better than to get involved with someone I worked with. I’d learned that hard lesson long ago.

“I think this little beauty is going to be one hell of a horse,” Tyla said proudly.

“That she is. She’s looking good. In fact, I’ll be taking over her training tomorrow.”

Her eyes went wide. “You sure you can handle that?” All morning she’d been working with Snowflake to tame her down. There was a lot of work still to be done, but I had no doubt we could do it. Before I could reply, her phone rang. She waltzed off to answer it while I stayed with Snowflake.

The wild little beast bumped my hand with her muzzle and snorted. Chuckling, I scratched behind her ear. “You gonna be a good girl for me tomorrow? Josie wants to ride you someday and I have to make sure you’re not going to throw her off.” Josie Wright was eight years old and an amazing young rider. Unfortunately, when her parents bought Snowflake, she turned out to be a little too much to handle.