Page 8 of Axe-ing for Trouble
Finally, she looked at me, her full lips in a tight line. “No. I’ll sleep here.”
My head throbbed, pounding hard enough to pull my attention from the madness that had descended. What the hell was going on? Was I harboring a fugitive?
The pain was all it took for me to snap. “Give me one good reason not to call the police,” I said. “You show up here injured and filthy, tell me you were shot at, and that a criminal network is chasing you.”
She tipped her chin up in defiance.
“But,” I gritted out, “why should I believe you when you’ve lied to me before?”
She let out a sigh, her body deflating. “The police are compromised.” Despite the pain she was in, her voice was frosty. “Your police chief is corrupt. He’s on the payroll of narcotics traffickers.”
“Was corrupt,” I corrected, forcing my tone to level out. “He’s suspended pending an investigation into misconduct after he went after Cole.”
She raised an eyebrow. “He’s done a hell of a lot more than that. And he isn’t the only one. I can only imagine all this information is hard to process. Please know that I wouldn’t have come here, I wouldn’t have put you at risk, if I had any other options. Just… please,” she begged, her breath hitching, “can I sleep here? I’ll leave in the morning.”
I wanted to push. My need to be in control of the situation was screaming inside me. But in this moment, she was so helpless, so small, propped up on my couch with her arm in a makeshift sling. Clearly, she’d been through hell. It was unfair to continue to push her.
Yes, I had to keep my family safe, but if I didn’t eventually get answers from her, I wasn’t sure I could do that. So I’d do everything I could to keep her close until she opened up.
I put my hands up. “Please stay. You’re safe here. It’s just Ripley and me. I’ve got the room, and I spend most of my time at work anyway.” With a long exhale, I raked a hand through my hair. “I think you’d be more comfortable in a bed, but if you really want to sleep out here, then I’ll grab a couple of pillows and a blanket.”
Her only response was a nod.
So, though it went against my every instinct, I dragged myself down the hall to fetch pillows and blankets.
Damn this stubborn woman. And damn my protective hero complex.
My entire world had been turned upside down tonight. And I had the distinct feeling my life would never be the same again.
Chapter2
Mila
Ishifted, and a bolt of pain shot through me. My head was groggy, and my mouth was dry. My left arm was pinned to my chest, and my thigh throbbed. With more effort than it should have taken, I lifted my right arm and touched the left. That movement alone was agonizing.
Eyes still closed, I took a deep breath. Despite the pain, I was warm, and the surface beneath me was soft. There was even some kind of pillow pile keeping my shoulder stable. With my good hand, I grazed the chunky knit blanket covering me, reveling in its plushness, grateful for its comfort.
Though in the back of my mind, a little voice urged me to panic, to move, to hide, my muscles ached too much to allow it. So, taking my chances, I lay still, piecing together where I was and why every inch of my body ached so badly.
Running through the woods.
Losing my phone and the evidence.
My chest tightened at the memories. Fuck.
Jude.
Though there was no relief when I thought of him, the pain was a little more bittersweet.
That pretty doctor who laid me on the kitchen counter and cranked my shoulder back into place.
That may have been the most painful moment of the day, but the almost immediate relief was worth it.
Falling asleep on the couch while patting the giant dog.
Huh.
Slowly, I forced my eyes open, searching for Ripley. But rather than being met with Jude’s living room, I found myself propped up by a mountain of pillows in the middle of a massive king-size bed, staring up at a ceiling fan. I scanned the room, noting the thick blanket that in the light peeking in from around the curtains was a deep shade of green and was tucked around my toes to keep them warm.
