Page 56 of Flint's Battle

“Scout’s honor.”

“You were never a scout.”

He went to his door, clearing the area before waving her through, then heading for the main bay. Men were bustling around, putting on gear as others loaded extra supplies into the trucks.

Jack joined in the fray, directing the men as he checked some equipment, then helped move one of the smaller trucks out of the way. All the while with half his focus on her. And Emery had to admit, her big brother was impressive. Calm. Assertive. With a sense of humor that put the other men at ease. It was obvious everyone respected him.

She nodded at him when he jumped out of the truck. “If you need to go, I can lock my own ass up in your office, you know. Not exactly helpless.”

“Generally, that’s true. But you’re barely staying on your feet.”

“I’m fine.”

“No, you’ll be fine in a few weeks,ifyou actually let your body heal before you try to kick another mafia guy’s ass.”

“Didn’t have much of a choice.”

His smile fell. “I know. And I couldn’t be prouder. Now, let’s get you back in the office where I know it’s safe.”

“Can’t we go get a latte?”

“You have a problem, you know that right?”

“Yeah. You.”

He placed his palm on the small of her back when someone yelled his name. Emery turned, inhaling when she saw a blond-haired man standing on the other side of the bay. The same asshole she’d chased across the beach that night.

Jack turned, frowning. “Morgan why the hell aren’t you on the damn truck?—”

“Jack, get down.”

She tried to shove Jack out of the way when his body jerked, slamming him back a few feet into the wall. He hit hard, dropping to the floor a moment later, a smear of blood along the beige paint.

Emery reached for her weapon, when a gun cocked next to her head. She froze, shifting her gaze to the officer standing beside her. The kid who’d been guarding her room at the hospital. Bates, she thought.

The blond-haired guy — Morgan, her brother had said — tsked. “I wouldn’t do that, detective, unless you want me to finish Jack off with a head shot?” He sneered at Jack. “I never did like you, captain.”

She stepped on front of Jack, one hand raised. “Let’s all just take a breath.”

“Don’t fucking patronize me, bitch. I’m totally relaxed.” He inched closer. “Now, you can either get your ass in big brother’s SUV nice and quietly, or you can fight, and I’ll blow Jack’s head off. Your choice.”

Jack mumbled something behind her, his voice hoarse. Barely more than a whisper. Emery chanced a quick glance, holding in the scream clawing at her throat at the sheer amount of blood pooling on the ground. What would likely kill him if he didn’t get help soon.

She forced herself to swallow. “I’ll go. No need for more violence.”

“I thought you might see it my way. Bates, get the keys. It’s time we took a drive.”

“Come on,Jack, pick up your damn phone.”

Flint slammed his hand down on his thigh, resisting the urge to throw the cell out the window as Bowie headed for the station. Flint had been calling Jack for nearly five minutes, but the man hadn’t answered. Which had gotten that voice inside Flint’s head screaming at him. Replaying what Lewis had said on the beach. How it was already too late. That someone else had gone after Emery.

Bowie elbowed him. “Breathe, buddy. I’m sure there’s a logical explanation. They probably just got a call, and he can’t hear his phone over the alarm.”

“Or maybe Lewis wasn’t lying, and they sent a team to the station.”

“Jack’s pretty capable. And he’ll guard Emery with his life.”

“I know. That’s what I’m afraid of.”

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