“So much for being a witness,” Braydenmurmured. “How long will it take to clear up?”
The doctor shrugged. “We’ll run more tests, keep her here for a while. I’ve scheduled a CT scan. Until I receive the results, there’s no telling when she’ll regain her memory. The human brain is a delicate, tricky matter. It could be hours. Or days. Or even months.”
Curling his hands into fists to hide their shaking, he turned away. He’d giveher time, but she had to remember him. Remember their sessions of hot loving, and the sweet kisses they’d shared. Remember how he’d professed all his feelings.
Remember their engagement.
How could she forget all that? West blew out a breath. Worse, he didn’t know if the bomber intended to kill her as well as Tia.
Quinn still remained in danger. Maybe her own damn sister wanted to blowher up. In that case, everything became even more complicated.
As the doctor left, he gestured to Quinn’s room. “I’m going to question her. With the right questions, she may regain some memory.”
Shane’s mouth dropped open. Brayden started to protest. He knew what they thought—that this was business.
Sorry, sweetheart. The cat’s about to be released from its bag.
West met theirangry gazes head-on. “Quinn isn’t a witness to me. She’s much more. We’ve been...dating. Seeing each other.”
Yeah, he had to tell them something, but the full truth? Not now.
Both brothers blinked in surprise. “Wow,” Shane murmured.
“I had no idea,” Brayden told him.
Encouraged, he jerked his head toward the nurses’ station, where nurses and doctors talked and worked on computers.“Appreciate you both keeping this on the QT. Quinn and I decided to be private about our relationship because of the Groom Killer. Just in case the killer decides to start targeting other couples in town. Or women who date cops.”
He gave them a level look. “She might have been a target if that were the case and someone found out we’re together.”
Both brothers visibly relaxed. “Good ideato keep it quiet,” Brayden said.
“No offense,” Shane told him.
West gave a sharp nod. Maybe they were family, but, damn it, he loved Quinn.
He’d taken charge here, and the brothers had let him. They understood. Quinn was his woman.
He went into the room again. Quinn picked absently at the sheet covering her. Tight lines of strain showed on her freckled face. West couldn’t imaginethe pain she suffered.
Showing no interest in him, she muttered, “Can’t I get something for my head to stop pounding?”
West pulled up a chair next to her stretcher. “Not until the CT scan, honey. They’ll be here soon and then you can get the good stuff.”
He pulled out a small notepad from his back pocket. “I’m a K-9 bomb specialist. It’s my job to analyze evidence, comb through crimescenes. I have some questions for you, Quinn. Do you remember anything about arriving at Tia Linwicki’s real estate office?”
She blinked. “Is that where I was? Where the accident happened?”
Locking gazes with her, he watched for any sign of recognition.
“It wasn’t an accident, Quinn. Someone set off a bomb in Tia’s office. You got caught in the blast. Tia’s dead.”
Tears filledher eyes, making his chest ache. He hated upsetting her, but she had to know. “Oh my God. Someone was killed?”
“But you weren’t. You’re alive.”
“Did I know her?”
He nodded. “She was a good client of yours. You brought her lunch every day. Vegan meals. You were on your way to deliver it in person when the blast happened. You’re probably the last person to see Tia before the explosion,which is why I need to ask you some questions.”