Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91622 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 458(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Mike shook his head. “They’re working on it now, scouring the area. We’re hoping to find the bullet so we can run ballistics. We’re interviewing people who work in the area, and when you’re up to it, I’ll need to talk to you.”
She nodded.
“Any cases you’re working on that scream trouble to you?” Cole asked.
“I—” Erin began.
“Police business, Sanders,” Mike interrupted before she could reply.
She rolled her eyes. “Cole knows what he’s doing. Another set of eyes, ears, and experience might help.”
“He knows what?” Mike asked Erin.
She opened her mouth and closed it again. Her brother was right. Just what kind of experience did she think Cole had, considering how little she knew about him?
“I don’t know,” she admitted. But she’d gone off and defended him like he’d been working for the Secret Service for the last few years.
Her brother and Cole eyed each other warily, as if in possession of some big secret. Erin had seen that look over the years between her two brothers when they wanted her left out of something—for her own good.
“What?!” she half yelled at them.
Cole inclined his head at Mike, obviously giving him permission to reveal it. Whatever it was.
“Your instincts are right,” her brother said through gritted teeth. “Cole knows what he’s doing. He’s been doing undercover work for the NYPD.”
Erin blinked in surprise. Not that her gut feelings about Cole had been on target, but because she hadn’t any idea where he’d been, what he’d done . . . or seen. She still didn’t have any inkling about the details, but with the darkness that surrounded him now being the beginnings of an explanation, she suppressed a shiver.
“When will you be released?” Mike asked, changing the subject from the shooter and from Cole.
“They aren’t keeping me overnight, but the doctor still has to run some tests, clean the wound, and bandage it better.”
Mike nodded. “Then Cara will take you back to our place.”
“I’ve got her,” Cole said, stepping close to the head of the bed, his voice firm.
“Whoa,” Erin said. “I don’t care who takes me home, but I’m going back to my place.”
“Not alone,” Cole said.
Erin scrunched her nose and looked up at him. “Why on earth not?”
The two men looked at each other, clearly coming to yet another silent understanding and agreement that didn’t bode well for her. “Well?”
“You were shot, and you were in pain, or has the burn suddenly worn off?” her brother asked.
“No.”
“Then it’s not safe for you to be alone,” Mike said, sounding almost pleased.
Sadistic bastard, Erin thought, uncharitably.
“That’s ridiculous. There’s no way someone deliberately aimed at me. I’m sure I was at the wrong place, wrong time. I don’t have any cases that would remotely lead to someone wanting to hurt me!”
“You think.” Mike narrowed his gaze, his mulish expression one she’d seen many times before.
“You can’t say for sure, so safety’s an issue until we know it’s not,” Cole said, not only agreeing with her brother but clearly taking charge. “You admitted to being in pain, which will get worse before it gets better, and if they let you take painkillers, you’ll be fuzzy. Not to mention that you’re immobile with the arm being bandaged and in a sling.”
He leaned closer and met her brother’s determined gaze. “I’ll take her back to her place and stay. She’ll be safe with me.”
“The hell she will.” Mike’s expression morphed back to furious. “She’s coming to my place until we can ascertain who shot her and why, and until I know she’s safe.” Mike straightened his shoulders, preparing for a fight.
Erin had had enough of their posturing. “She is right here. And she will decide what’s best for herself.”
Cole lifted her good hand, taking her by surprise with his gentleness. “While you’re deciding, remember that’s my baby you’re carrying, which makes you my responsibility.”
“I can take care of myself.”
The two men did that silent communication thing again, but no way would they decide what was best for her. She’d choose for herself where she was going.
“I’m going home,” she told them in the strongest voice she could manage.
Mike set his jaw. “Then Cole’s going with you.”
Erin whipped her head around and glared at her brother. “Weren’t you the one who just questioned his ability to keep me safe?”
“I wanted you with me. I also know better than to think I’ll win when you make up your mind. So if you insist on going home, you’re not going alone. If you prefer, Sam can move in.”
“No!” Erin and Cole spoke in unison.
Erin loved her brother, but if they were staying under one roof, she’d probably want to throttle him within an hour. “Mike, go do your job. Cole and I need to talk, okay?”
Her brother braced an arm behind her head. “Promise me you won’t leave here by yourself?”