Page 62 of All the Missing Pieces

“Brain bleeds?” Baker exclaimed. “This is what you’re willing to put up with?”

“Baker—”

“No,” he snapped. “We’re packing you up, and I’m taking you back to LA. If this case is so important to you, I’ll send theReality Rampageboys out here to cover it. There are four of them. It won’t be as risky.”

“The hell you will,” I growled. “This is my case. And you don’t own me.”

Baker’s eyes narrowed in my direction. “Don’t I?”

My jaw went slack as I stared back at him. Was that honestly what he thought? That he could snap his fingers, and I’d do whatever he wanted? Baker didn’t give a damn about my well-being. I was just an investment to him. His podcast with the most subscribers and downloads. He couldn’t risk losing that because the host got murdered.

Dr. Sapra cleared her throat, but I could see heated annoyance in her eyes. “I don’t feel comfortable with you staying alone tonight. I can keep you for observation?—”

“She’s staying with me,” Baker snapped.

“The hell I am. I’d rather swallow shards of glass followed by ghost pepper juice.”

Tater hissed as if to punctuate the point.

“You can stay at my place, Chaos.”

The rasp cut through the hospital room with ease, and my eyes instantly sought out the sound. I’d been so caught up with Baker’s delusions, I hadn’t noticed the figure standing in theopen doorway. I should’ve, because Colt’s broad frame filled the entirety of it, casting a shadow over the linoleum.

Those dark eyes pinned me to the spot but somehow managed to be comforting at the same time. They shouldn’t have been. This was the same man who’d accused me of breaking and entering, of assault. But yet here he was. Showing up when I needed him most.

“What did you say?” I squeaked.

Colt didn't look away for a single moment. “You can stay with me.”

25

COLT

I was a goddamned idiot.

The last thing I needed was Ridley in my space. Her nosy nature and burnt orange scent. Her blinding smile and ridiculous cat. But I wasn’t about to leave her to this asshole, especially after she’d been attacked.

The asshole puffed up his chest, trying to make himself look taller, more intimidating. It failed. “Who the hell are you?”

I grinned at him, but knew it was sharkish. I tapped the star on the left side of my chest. “Sheriff Brooks.”

The douche scrunched up his nose as if he smelled something bad. “Ridley doesn’t want to stay with you.”

“Ridley can speak for herself. I’ve found she’s real good at that.”

Ridley’s lips twitched. “When people are willing to listen.”

The woman had a damned good point. And it was time I took it to heart. “What do you say, Chaos?”

She glanced between the two of us.

“Ridley,” the douche hissed.

She looked at me. “Can I bring Tater?”

I sighed. “Yeah, you can bring the weird water cat.”

“You donotwant to do this,” the man next to the bed warned.

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