Page 77 of Body Shot

“They do, but my cousins live in New York, with families and busy careers. It’s hard for them to get home. They did come when Aunt Gina was in the hospital. And I’m right here. I don’t mind helping, really. They did so much for me when Mom and Dad died, so of course I’ll do anything for them.”

I nod. Not that I understand that feeling about actual family, but it’s how I feel about Cade and Marco. During our service, we came to trust one another with our lives. I know they’d risk their lives to save mine and I’d do the same for them. They showed they care about me, and I’ll always have their back.

“Are they your mom or your dad’s family?”

“Aunt Gina is my dad’s sister. Gina and Colin Strong.”

I pull up in front of a gorgeous, two-story stucco house in Mira Mesa, with a lush, landscaped front yard, flower beds full of color and greenery. “How old are your aunt and uncle?” I ask as I follow her quick steps up the sidewalk.

“Seventy-four and seventy-eight.”

“Wow. And they’re still living in this huge house?”

“I know, right?” She uses a key to enter the house. “Hello! I’m here.”

I step inside and glance around as Hayden hurries through the spacious foyer and into a carpeted living room. I tag along, taking in the curvy sofa and loveseat upholstered in blue velvet, the carved dark wood furniture—including a piano against one wall—and flowery drapes and cushions.

Hayden kneels beside a recliner where a woman sits, the chair laid back. A man—her uncle no doubt—sits on the nearby loveseat. Their faces are both pale and lined with worry, and in the case of the aunt, pain.

“Are you okay, Aunt Gina?”

“I think so.”

“How much pain are you in? Should we take you to the hospital for X-rays?”

“I don’t want to go back to the hospital. I hate that place.”

“I know you do. But if you broke something, or knocked your pin out of place, they need to fix it.”

“I don’t think it’s that bad. Really.”

“Can you walk?”

The woman swallows. “Yes.”

“Let me see.”

I smile. At that moment everyone notices my presence and I take a couple more steps into the room.

“Aunt Gina and Uncle Colin, this is Beck Whitcomb. He was at my place when you called so he drove me here.”

Gina regards him with interest, Colin with a frown. I move forward again and extend a hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Strong.” I give him a firm handshake, registering the older man’s assessment of my hair, beard, and ink.

My presence does seem to distract Gina from her pain, as she smiles at me. “Well, hello, Beck. It’s lovely to meet you. Hayden hasn’t mentioned you.” She glances at her niece. “We keep telling her she needs to get out more.”

I grin. “No, really?”

“Here.” Hayden frowns at me, but arranges Gina’s walker near the chair for her. “Let me help you stand, Aunt Gina.”

The woman manages to get to her feet and moves across the carpet with the walker. Eliminating the thick carpet would likely be a good idea. But hell, getting them out of this house would be even better. Trained to assess details rapidly, I take in the staircase to the second story, the big kitchen and dining room, the sliding doors onto a large patio covered with a pergola, and beyond that what appears to be a huge lawn with a stone-edged pond and fountain. Jesus.

“There,” Gina says to Hayden through gritted teeth. “See? I’m fine.”

Hayden nods, her forehead still furrowed. “Okay, thatisgood. When is your next doctor appointment?”

“Wednesday.”

“Good.” Hayden bites her lip. “Well, if you think you’re okay, we won’t go to the hospital, but make sure you mention to the doctor that you fell so he can check things out.”

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