Catching Summer (Second Chances, #6)(48)

“We all have enemies, Summer. I’m sure Lindsey would like to see you fall flat on your face, but she would never do anything to physically hurt you. I can’t think of anyone who would do this.”

“What about Levi? He was adamant about making your life hell.”

“That’s just bullshit talk. We were on their turf. There’s no way he’d come out here and do this.”

“Are you sure?” It didn’t matter what he thought. I was going to have Mason look into it anyway. I’d learned not to trust anyone after what happened to my husband.

“To be honest, I’m not sure about anything anymore. All I can think about right now is the look on Brianna’s face. She was so scared. I don’t know what I would’ve done if it was you in the car and not her. I would’ve wished I was dead rather than wake up and find out I had lost you and our child.”

Lips trembling, I hung my head, the ache in my chest making it hard to breathe. “I’m sorry you had to go through all of that. Brianna was one of the sweetest girls I know.”

“Same here. Before we left the bar, she sat and talked to Luke for over an hour on how to get your sister back.”

The thought brought a smile to my face. “I can only imagine what she told him.”

About that time, Luke barreled through the door with his T-shirt on backward and his blond hair a mess. “What the hell happened?”

I squeezed Evan’s hand and kissed him gently on the lips. “I’ll be right back. I just need to make some phone calls.”

Leaving them alone, I walked past the waiting room where Kate and Cooper sat with Coach Joel. It was going to be a sad day for the team. At the end of the hall, there was a quiet, vacant corner. Pulling out my phone, I read a text from Lara saying she was on her way and a few older ones from Luke asking if I’d found Evan yet. It was late in California, but I needed Mason’s help; it couldn’t wait. Scrolling through my contacts, I clicked on his name and waited for him to pick up and curse at me for calling so late, but luckily he didn’t.

“Summer?” he answered.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly so I wouldn’t choke. “Yes, it’s me.”

“What’s wrong? You never call this late.”

“Evan was in an accident with one of the other players and his girlfriend.” The tears started flowing. “Brianna didn’t make it and Derek almost died. Someone ran them off the road on their way home, and I know how good you are with solving these kinds of cases.”

Mason sighed. “Holy f*cking shit. Have there been any other incidents?”

“Just an altercation out in Arizona after last weekend’s game. I don’t know if you watched it, but—”

“You mean with Levi Milner? Yeah, I saw what he was doing.”

“Then you might want to know that he and Evan had words after the game. Is there any way you can investigate him?”

“Yeah, I’ll look into it. In the meantime, I’m going to have Jason Avery talk to you. He’s an undercover detective out there.”

“I know who he is. He’s good friends with Luke Collins.”

“I’ll have him give you a call in the morning. Tell him everything you know.”

“Will do, Mason, thank you. It feels like I’m right back in Vegas with everything falling apart.”

“No, you’re not. What happened to Austin in Vegas was f*cked up. That’s not going to happen again.” Before Mason became an undercover cop, he was a legend in the MMA world, a heavyweight champion. When other fighters started showing up dead, he was called in by the Vegas PD chief of police to go undercover to see if he could find the killers. I never thought Austin would be one of those victims. Now Evan was being targeted…but why?

“I sure hope you’re right.”

“I am. I’m going to help you in every way I know how. Jason’s one of the best and he knows a lot of people. He’ll be your eyes and ears.”

We said our goodbyes, and I slowly walked back to Evan’s room. Luke was leaving as I approached, and I stopped him. “Your friend Jason is going to be put on Evan’s case. I called Mason and he’s going to have him help us. We need to find out who did this.”

He nodded, his jaw tense. “I agree. Evan’s never had anything like this happen before. I don’t know what the f*ck’s going on. But whatever it is, Jason will figure it out. I’ll be back up here tomorrow.”

“Okay,” I whispered before he walked off. Evan’s door was cracked, so I tiptoed inside and shut it lightly. He was still awake and smiled sadly when I approached.

“Why don’t you go home and get some sleep? I’ll be fine here.”

“I’m not leaving you, Evan. I’m staying with you.”

I started to sit down, but he shook his head. “Not there, sunshine. Here,” he said, patting the space beside him.

“Evan, no. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“If you don’t get up here, I’m going to drag myself out of this bed and make you. Don’t make me have to do that. I could’ve died tonight and all I want to do is hold you. Please, Summer.”

Gently, I climbed up on the bed and snuggled up to his side. He winced, but instead of letting me back away, he held me tight. “I need this. I have to know you’re not going anywhere.”