THIRTY-TWO
“MRS. brECKENRIDGE.”
The doctor’s voice brought her around; the junior professional ducked back into Darroch’s room. From the hallway, the Breckenridges stampeded after the young doctor. When she attempted to follow, the second cop blocked her way.
“Breckenridges have enemies.”
“I’m not one of them, sir.” Honestly, who could have beef with the kindest family in the world? “They’ve been nothing but generous.”
“People like that, with money like that, some see them as a soft touch.”
“So I’m a gold digger? If I was, what would I gain from hurting him?’
“Savanna?”
Caber, on the threshold of Darroch’s room.
The cop wasn’t ready to relinquish her. “Just a minute—”
“No, Niddrie, now, or we’ll have a problem.” Caber tipped his head toward the room. “Sav. He needs you.”
Maybe, or the family were losing the battle to keep him still.
Inside, Darroch’s frown was the first thing she saw.
“What’s the problem?” he asked, his arm rising toward her. “Cherry?”
“No problem,” she said, hurrying her pace to thread her fingers through his. “What did the doctors say?”
“Tripp’s got your ex-wife’s number, Niddrie,” Darroch said like it was some kind of threat.
Tripp slipped his hands into his pockets. “Got his current girlfriend’s number too.”
“Just looking out for you, Roch,” Niddrie said. “Someone’s behind this.”
“Not Savvy.”
“He’s right,” she said. “Someone did this to you.” She gently combed her fingers through his hair. “Where does it hurt?”
“Will you kiss it better?”
“He’ll have to stay here for observation,” the young doctor said. “For a day, maybe two.”
“We have to talk to you, Roch,” Niddrie said. “The more you can tell us, the faster we’ll find this guy.”
“Did you see him?” Ax asked.
“There’s no cameras around there,” Acre said. “Think he knew that?”
“You got beef with Ms. Mayden’s ex? Where’ll we find him?”
“At this time of night—”
“Guy’s an asshole,” Darroch said. “The way he treated Sav, if the guy showed his face, I wouldn’t hesitate to—”
She touched his lips before he could make a real threat. “You told him off. He knows I’m yours.”
“Which could be the guy’s problem.”
“Jeremy’s a social climber,” she said. “He’d be more likely to make friends with Darroch than fight him. Breaking through with the Breckenridges would be a Lotto win for him.”
“You should talk to the police,” Benedict said to Darroch.
A short knuckle tap on the door preceded a tall guy sticking his head around it. Broad, yummy, another Breckenridge? Couldn’t be. He looked older than college age and she’d met all the others.
“Who needs a ride?” Buoy went running over and leaped up to be caught by the newcomer. “Astor, Dougie. Brant, you coming with us? Tripp, you going back to Crimson Palace?”
“I don’t know, are we staying here tonight, Mom?”
The doctor didn’t allow Alice to answer. “I’m sorry, we can’t—visiting time is over, the patient has to rest,” this from the older, more authoritative doctor. “We have to ask all of you to leave.”
“Leave?” Alice said, dismayed, seeking her husband.
“We’ll stay in the city,” Benedict said. “The boys will go home.”
“All of you can go home,” Darroch said. “Sav will call you if there’s anything to report.”
“Sweetheart—”
“You have to get the kids to school in the morning, Mom. We’ll be okay.”
“Okay,” Alice said, touching her face. “If you’re sure. Do you want us to stay, Savanna?”
The doctor was insistent. “Everyone will have to leave.”
“We need answers,” Niddrie said.
“Talk to the police,” she said, keeping hold of Darroch’s hand and coiling his arm around her hips. “Whoever hurt you has to be punished.”
“They shouldn’t be out on the streets,” Acre said. “Want us to call Stone?”
Niddrie opened his arms. “We’re standing right here.”
“You’d rather we question your ability behind your back? ‘Cause I do that too.”
“Boys, don’t fight,” Alice said. “It does no good. We’re on the same side.”
“We think.”
She didn’t have to look to know Niddrie was focused on her.
In case anyone else was unsure, Darroch highlighted it for the room. “Keep looking at her like that and your problem will be right here.”
She leaned in, desperate to soothe. “The partner is always the first suspect. It’s an honor they’re picking on me… unless you have a squad of other girlfriends for them to question.”
When his scowl flew to her, she smiled.
“Only you, baby.”
“I know,” she whispered and rested her forehead on his for a second.
“Please, everyone,” the doctor said. “Darroch has to rest until the drugs are fully out of his system. Let’s give him a few minutes with the police. Then all of you can come back tomorrow.”
“Okay,” Alice said, kissing her boy. “We love you, sweetheart.”
Benedict laid a hand on his son’s forehead, then shifted it to his cheek. “Call if you need anything.”
She kissed him, intending to leave, but sprang back when his embrace strengthened. His brothers were calling out their goodbyes, squeezing toes and patting legs, heading out.
Darroch didn’t seem to notice; his mesmerizing eyes entranced her.
“You better be back.”
“First thing.”
“Within the hour.”
“Baby, she said no visitors.”
“You think that would stop me?”
No, it wouldn’t. If she were the one laid up, he’d never let her out of his sight.
“Okay,” she whispered and kissed him again. “Be good.”
“Only until you get back.”
“Are you sure it’s a good idea for—”
“I don’t sleep well alone.”
Those were their magic words and all she needed to hear. She nodded before pressing another kiss to his lips and drifting away. This time, he did let her go, though his eyes stayed on her the whole way out. Every time she cast a glance back, their intensity grew. The cops were left inside and closed the door.
Alice hugged her in the hallway. “Do you want to come back to the house?”
“No, I want to be closer than that,” she said, which put a smile on Alice’s face that she switched to her husband. “He’s strong, he’ll be okay.”
“Yes,” Benedict said and kissed her cheek. “Call us if you need anything.”
Just like he’d said to Darroch. Alice hugged her again and kissed her, squeezing her hand just before their fingers parted.
Caber, with Axon next to him, surprised her from behind. “How many guys you seeing?”
“I—”
“He talked about competition.”
“It was a joke,” she said, glancing at one then the other. “Darroch’s the only man I’m seeing.”
She could act offended, get upset, rush back in and tell Darroch they’d questioned her. But she wouldn’t. These men loved their brother. That was something to be celebrated not resented.
“And the ex?”
“I’ll give you his information, but he’s a wimp. Trust me, this is not his style.”
“Roch have any trouble with either of your landlords?”
“No.”
“Any arguments when you were out together?”
“I honestly can’t believe anyone would want to hurt him.”
“Someone did.”
Yes, they did. “And I want him found too. Darroch gets along with everyone, you know that.” Except Jeremy. “You could talk to Quade, but I didn’t see any trouble at the community center event.”
“The one you went to on Sunday with Mom and Dad?” She nodded and the men looked at each other. “It’s worth asking.”
“Other than that, we were at Blaze. Always in private dining. Tripp said Fernando was mad at him, at Tripp, not Darroch. Maybe ask him what that was about.” Though she really couldn’t see Fernando hurting anyone either. “The girls at work don’t know about our relationship. The Breckenridges are the only ones who know about us. You and Fernando…” She caught Caber’s forearm. “Check with your team too, the leathers girls. Again, I don’t see them doing something like this but…” And another thought. “Ask your dad about Detective Chapman. He’s the cop investigating the break-in at my old place. I know your dad and Darroch were keeping in touch with him. Neither of them has said anything to me about there being a problem but—”
“It’s worth checking out,” Caber said, surprising her by stepping in to kiss the top of her head. “Come on, we’ll take you home.”
“It’s okay, I can—”
“Someone out there is targeting Breckenridges,” Axon said. “We’re taking you home.”
Should she tell them that she didn’t intend to stay home? No. Some things stayed between a woman and her man.