Too Much Heat (Wounded Heroes: The Redemption #4)

Chapter 8

Joe rolled over on his side, facing Lara. He cupped her cheek. “Doing okay?”

She smiled. “Better than.” The lovemaking had been particularly tender. “I love you, Joe.”

He stared down at her. This was a first for her. And him. “I love you, too.”

They hugged.

“Let’s toast to that. Want some wine?”

“Sure.”

He threw his jeans on in deference to all the people who were staying here. Boy, would he like to move Lara and Sammy to his house. For one thing, it had a lot better security up on a hill on a private road.

As he entered the kitchen, he smiled at the thought of her in his bed. He poured the wine and picked up the two glasses.

Something shattered behind him.

He circled around fast to see the door open.

And came face to face with his stalker.

“Put those down.” Her voice was hoarse but he recognized it.

“What are you doing, Diana?”

“Time for payback.”

“I’m sorry I couldn’t save the twins.”

For a minute, pain made her face droop. Then a blank mask replaced the reaction. “Too late for sorry.”

“Are you going to kill me?”

“What do you think?”

Behind her he saw Lara, dressed in a robe. She must have heard the commotion, come downstairs and gone out the front door.

He forced himself not to react. “I think you’re still grieving. I know I am, for my brother.”

“You didn’t save him either.”

“I—”

Lara pounced. She hit Diana on the head with a statue of a firefighter that Sammy had given her when she graduated the academy.

Diana fell to the floor. Quickly, Joe kicked the gun to the other side of the room. Fear, which had sprung like a snake, still pumped through him. He crossed to Lara. She’d set down the statue.

He grasped her arms. “Don’t ever, ever, do that again.”

She shook back her hair and raised her chin. “Are you kidding me? I’ll save your life anytime I can. Now shut up and hold me.”

* * *

Relieved that the stalking was over, Joe and Lara arrived at Westwood Memorial once again. Will had been shot outside while he was guarding her and Joe. They knew no more than that. Lara swallowed back the panic still racing through her.

Sensing her feelings, he leaned over and whispered, “I’m right here, sweetheart.”

“Do you feel guilty?”

“No. Only regret. Will’s my friend, like Jackson.”

Just then, Jackson entered the waiting area. “Hey, guys. Katie called us. We came down to wait with you.”

Joe smiled at Jackson. “Thanks, buddy.”

“How’s Katie?”

“Probably terrified.”

“Not so much.” Katie had come out of the treatment area. “He’s doing okay. Because it was dark out and that woman wasn’t up close, the bullet went right through his shoulder.”

“That’s great.” Maisy crossed to her and hugged her. “We’re so sorry.”

“Let’s celebrate that this is all over.” Katie hesitated then turned to Joe. “Will told me everything, Joe. Diana’s here, you know.”

Lara cringed. “Yeah. I hit her pretty hard.”

“Well, you didn’t kill her. That’s good.”

She guessed that would have to be enough.

The doctor joined them. “Mr. Kirkland is going to be sore and out of work for six weeks.”

Katie raised her chin. “I’ll make sure he rests.”

“How’s Diana Hartfield doing?” Lara asked.

“I can answer that because the police were here and told me you were the victims. Mrs. Hartfield will recover. She’ll have a bad headache and most likely a concussion. But she’s awake and seems lucid. There’s cops stationed at her door. They want to take her in as soon as she’s discharged.”

Relieved, Lara perked up at that.

They were all allowed to go in to see Will.

“Hey, everybody.” Will’s voice was stronger than it should be.

Joe said, “I’m sorry this happened to you because of me.”

“Hell, don’t go all guilty acting with me. We know it was Hartfield’s fault. And I’ve been shot before.”

“Not because of us,” Lara told him.

He directed a half-smile at Katie, who sat close to the bed. “I’m going home today.”

“You most certainly are not. I refuse to let that happen.”

Joe laughed. “Lara gave me hell earlier, too, when I told her she shouldn’t have come to my rescue.”

Lara chuckled. “Damn right.”

Will sighed as he stared over at Katie. “Well then, since I’ll have time, I have a question.”

“For who?” Katie asked.

“You, Lieutenant Donovan.” With his good hand, he took hers. “Will you marry me?”

The water bottle Katie was holding slipped to the floor. Her face beamed. “Yes, yes, of course I will.”

Then everybody started talking at once.

* * *

When they left the hospital, Lara said, “I hope Sammy’s all right.”

“Sammy rose to the occasion. He voiced his concern for both of us, but he seemed happy at all the action.”

“Yeah. It must be hard to have that same boring routine every day.”

“I have some ideas about that.” Joe squeezed her arm. “Let’s try to settle down before we get back.”

Lara didn’t ask him to elaborate. Too much had happened to her and Joe today and Will. She didn’t want more bad news.

* * *

Joe waited to broach the subject until Craig moved his things out.

“What’s going on?” Sam asked after he was settled on the couch and Lara sat next to him.

“I have a request.” Joe straightened. “And before you object, I’ve thought this through and won’t take no for an answer. I want you both to come live at my house. Permanently.”

“Why?” Sammy asked.

“It’s bigger than this place. Sammy, you can live in the side of the house that was renovated for Jimmy. We’ll get you an aide and see you every day. And I have a jacuzzi on the deck.”

“I liked it when I went for aqua therapy.”

Lara rolled her eyes, indicating that he’d complained about the whole time.

Sammy said, “I’m game.”

“You are?” Lara asked.

“Yeah. I have one condition.” Sam looked at Joe. “I don’t want my ex-wife living in sin. You two gotta get married.”

“We can’t.” Lara was frustrated. “We work together.”

“She’s right,” Joe put in. “We can’t, immediately. But Paul Johnson is retiring next month. He’s a Battalion Chief. And I’m in line for his position. I won’t be your boss, Lara. I’ll be assigned to another area.”

“Why haven’t you told me about a potential BC position before this?”

“I didn’t want to get your hopes up.” He rose and knelt in front of her. “So, will you marry me? We obviously have Sammy’s permission.”

Tears clouded her eyes. “Of course I will. And yes, I’ll move to your house.”

“We’re gonna have a great life, love.” He looked at Sam. “And we’ll take care of you.”

“Okay, for a little while longer.”

Joe knew Sam was referring to the fact that, at some point, they wouldn’t be able to meet his needs and he’d have to go to a place where they could.

Sammy said, “Help me to the wheelchair, Joe. I’ll give you some privacy.”

Joe assisted him and leaned down. “Thanks buddy. I don’t know that I could be as gracious about our relationship as you’re being.”

“I love Lara.”

Choked up, Joe wheeled him to the downstairs bedroom. He closed the door and walked back to the couch. “No second thoughts?”

“Of course not.”

“Hmm. I was afraid I was going to have to keep you under lock and key.”

“You’d never.” She stood and grasped his hands. “I want nothing more than to be your wife.”

“And I wanna be your husband, love. Forever.”

She smiled and looped her arms around his neck. “Of course, forever.”

* * * * *

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