Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
A sharp knock sounded at the door before Tyler could answer Esme’s stark question. A moment later, the door swung open. The doctor poked her head inside. “Who is ready to bust out of this place?” Vanessa Raye asked with a wide smile.
Me.
But Esme just sent the doctor a weak smile. Vanessa had come in earlier to check on Tyler, and now, this should be the visit that officially released him from care.
Dressed in green scrubs and wearing sneakers, Vanessa bustled toward the bed. “How is the patient?”
Tyler growled.
“Fantastic.” Vanessa nodded as she checked his chart. “So, let’s just run through a quick review, then you can ditch the hospital gown and get out of here.”
“I don’t know.” Esme cast a quick glance over the thin gown that stretched across Tyler’s shoulders. “I kinda like it.”
He growled again.
“It’s even better from the back,” she murmured .
His head turned toward her.
She winked. “Got a killer view.”
“Ahem.” From Vanessa. The doctor put down the chart. “Tell me your name,” she told Tyler.
Esme tensed. Right. Doing a memory check with concussion patients was standard, she knew that. But considering that she and Tyler were lying about their names…
“Tyler Hollow,” he said with no hesitation. He still gripped her hand.
Vanessa nodded. She pointed to Esme. “And who is she?”
“My wife.”
“Where did you two meet?”
Oh, damn. Did we ever cover that part of the story?
“At a friend’s party,” he replied easily. “I looked up, spotted Esme, and knew that she was the only thing I’d ever want to see again for the rest of my life.”
Her heartbeat kicked up.
“That is so romantic.” A sigh from Vanessa. Then she winced. “I’m so sorry that your new life in Asylum has been, um, difficult so far.”
A house exploding qualified as a bit more than just difficult.
When Esme glanced over at the doctor, she found Vanessa’s stare on her. “First, you are nearly run over helping my daughter…”
Esme shook her head. “I’m just glad she is okay.”
“Then your house—all of your belongings—are gone in a flash.” A sympathetic shake of Vanessa’s head. “The town is going to help you. Know that.”
“Ah, say again?” Why would the town help her? They didn’t even know her .
“Clothing and food have already been donated. And my dad has a house out on Bayview Road that you guys can use when you leave the hospital. He’s already said that you can stay there as long as you want.”
Helpless and confused, Esme looked at Tyler, then back at the doctor. “That’s—that’s too much. We couldn’t possibly take a house!”
“You saved his granddaughter’s life. You can stay in a house that is just sitting there.” Vanessa’s mouth tightened. “Please, let us do this. It’s our way of trying to pay you back for what you did for Kady Jo.”
Tyler’s fingers squeezed Esme’s. “We appreciate your help. Everyone’s help. Thank you. But our housing needs have already been taken care of.”
They had?
A half-smile tilted Tyler’s lips. “You probably noticed the guy standing outside our hospital room.”
Vanessa glanced over her shoulder toward the door. “Pretty hard to miss Kane.”
“Oh, good, you know him already,” Tyler noted.
Esme didn’t speak. She had no idea where Tyler was going with this chat so…she just waited. And watched.
“I’ve seen him in town a few times,” Vanessa returned.
“He’s already offered us a place to crash for the next few days.”
Vanessa crinkled her brow. “He stayed the night here.”
Yes, guarding me. Way to keep a low-profile, Kane.
“But, you knew him before, didn’t you?” Vanessa motioned toward Tyler. “Clay mentioned that you were all in the Marines together, so you are old friends.”
“Right. Friends worry about friends.” An easy response from Tyler. “We appreciate the offer from you and your dad, but we’re covered. Thank you, though.”
“Thank you,” Esme echoed. When was the last time someone had tried to help her this way? And a whole town was helping? That was just…overwhelming.
She didn’t know how to respond.
“You’re still getting the clothes and food,” Vanessa warned. “And anything else you need, just say the word.” She cleared her throat. “Now, let’s finish up this exam because I know you are ready to leave this place in the dust.”
Vanessa meant the hospital. But Esme knew that, soon enough, they’d be leaving the entire town of Asylum. Too bad. She could have liked the place quite a bit.
If someone hadn’t blown up her home.
Vanessa quickly finished up the exam, and then told Tyler, “You’re clear to go. Be warned that you may experience some headaches and nausea.” She rattled off the medicines he could and could not take. “But if you lose consciousness, if you have seizures or signs of confusion, you come back to me right away, got it? You seek immediate medical help. And no heavy lifting. Zero, understand?”
“Got it.”
“Clay has been handling your paperwork.” Vanessa fiddled with the stethoscope around her neck. “He told me that when you had the all clear, he’d have a ride waiting for you out back.”
“Thanks, doc.”
She nodded but her stare had shifted to Esme. “Thank you,” the doctor said. “That little girl happens to be my world. You ever need me for anything, you just say the word.”
“I’m just glad I was there to help.” And she was. “She’s a beautiful child. I know you’re proud of her. ”
Vanessa nodded. “Very proud.” A soft exhale. “Take care of the patient, would you?”
“I’ll do my best.”
Vanessa marched from the room.
“Really didn’t need to stay here overnight,” Tyler murmured. “Overkill.”
He’d argued that point before. She’d just argued back. “We were in a secure facility. A very public place. And your buddy Kane was at the door. Considering you were unconscious after the blast, I didn’t want to take chances.” And you needed medical care. The concussion hadn’t been his only injury. Blood had soaked Tyler’s shirt.
“You can get out of handcuffs.”
That was a conversational change.
He was also sliding from the bed. Turning his back on her and giving Esme one killer view of his ass.
Damn. Her hand rose and tugged on her right hoop earring.
He yanked off the hospital gown. Balled it up. Tossed it onto the bed.
Double damn.
She just watched him dress. It was almost as much fun as watching him undress. Kane had brought in fresh clothes for him—and for her—the previous night. She’d been able to change right away, but Tyler had been stuck in his hospital gown.
“Esme.”
Le sigh. All of his clothes were back in place. “Yes?”
He faced her. “You can get out of handcuffs.”
“Yes, I can.” Something that had mightily pissed off Clay.
His eyebrows lowered. “But when I cuffed you at Jorlan’s, you didn’t escape.”
“Why show the world my skills?” A flippant response. She was so very good at those. And she was also very good at ditching cuffs. Something that came in handy in certain circumstances.
He crossed to stand right in front of her. “You didn’t want to get away from me.” Tyler spoke with utter certainty.
So why deny the obvious? “True.”
“Because you had a master plan in place.”
That master plan had been blown to hell. Literally.
“You stayed with me,” Tyler noted.
“We’re a package deal.” She wished that she could read all of the emotions swirling in his eyes.
“With that blast, you relived one of the worst moments of your life.”
The faint smile on her face bled away.
“I know the explosion reminded you of Paris.” Gruff.
Yes.
“But you didn’t cry. You didn’t crack at all. You stayed strong and you held my hand all night long.”
A lump seemed to choke her, so she swallowed it down. Mostly. “I cried plenty. You just didn’t see because you happened to be unconscious and sprawled on the ground at the time.”
He leaned forward, and his mouth pressed to hers. A soft, tender kiss. Maybe the softest, tenderest kiss she’d ever had in her life. And just what was she supposed to do with that?
“You chose me,” he said.
She had.
“I choose you, Esme.”
What did that mean?
But the door was opening. Again. Could no one respect privacy? Even as she frowned, Kane was there, looking all big and bold and a bit too knowing as he quirked a brow at them. “Doc just told me it’s time to blow this joint.”
She glared at his choice of words.
“Yeah, sorry.” He had the grace to wince. “I have a shitty sense of humor sometimes.” He held the door open. “I also hate hospitals and don’t want to stay here another minute. Tyler has the all clear. Let’s get moving. Now. ”
And they did. They rushed through the hospital. Went out the back and found Clay waiting for them as he stood beside a Jeep.
His stare swept over Tyler. “You look like death walking, my friend.”
“Thanks, man.”
“Sure you should be moving?” Clay seemed uncertain. “I can take care of Esme for you. Maybe you need to stay here longer.”
“I’m done. We’re leaving.” He held tightly to Esme’s hand.
“You’re the boss.” Low, from Clay. He and Kane jumped in the front of the Jeep. Esme and Tyler slid into the back.
“The local fire investigator is trying to nose around the house,” Clay explained as they took off. “I’m stalling as best I can. The way that place ignited and the blast trajectory…” A long whistle. “I’d say we’ve got a professional in town.”
“You would know,” Tyler said flatly.
She cast him a frown.
The Jeep accelerated.
“Clay is a demolition expert.” Tyler’s gaze was on the back of Clay’s head. “Trained by Uncle Sam to get the job done. ”
He was a what? Talk about information she would have enjoyed knowing much, much sooner.
“I don’t do that anymore.” A quick retort from Clay. “You know I can’t… fuck. ” He jerked the wheel to the right. The Jeep flew off the road and came to a jarring stop.
The seatbelt pulled hard against Esme. “Hey!” Esme snapped. “There is a man with a concussion back here! Watch that crap!”
“I like her,” Kane said to no one and everyone. “I really do. I didn’t, not at first. But she’s grown on me.”
Clay whipped around and his narrow-eyed stare went straight to Tyler. “You think it was me? Is that the BS you’re saying to me right now? When I am helping you?”
Esme did not speak. Tyler wasn’t saying that, was he? No way did he suspect his friend.
Except, Tyler wasn’t making a denial.
Clay gaped at him. “You really think I’d blow up my own damn house? With you in it?”
Tyler gazed steadily at him. “Questions have to be asked.”
“Fuck. Fuck. ” Clay slammed a hand into the steering wheel. “You don’t trust me. After everything we’ve been through together? I’m the one you doubt? And not the criminal right next to you?”
“No need for name calling,” Esme said primly.
“The house was wired to explode.” No emotion filled Tyler’s voice.
A shiver slid over Esme. There was a lethal air about him. One moment, he’d seemed normal, almost at ease. Then as soon as they’d gotten away from the eyes at the hospital and into the Jeep—everything changed in a blink.
He was waiting for this moment .
Kane was also now staring at Clay. And his profile appeared cold. Savage.
They both suspect Clay? Why hadn’t they told her about their suspicions?
“The house is in a million pieces.” Tyler never took his focus off Clay. “And it just so happens there is an expert on explosives right here.”
That was when she realized…
Kane had a gun in his hand. He’d pulled it out and aimed it at the sheriff.
“What is happening?” Esme demanded in a voice that squeaked. When had they planned this? While she’d slept in the uncomfortable chair?
“I came to that same conclusion myself,” Kane announced. “Figured we’d have a very serious chat as soon as we were all alone.”
This counted as a chat?
Clay’s focus whipped to the gun. “You’re pointing a weapon at a sheriff.” A pause. “ At your friend. ”
“Yeah, I am. I’m a crazy bastard like that,” Kane informed him without even missing a beat. “You had access to the house. You would have known how to bypass the security system because you set it up. And you would have known exactly how to rig the bomb. So from where I sit—from where Tyler sits—you look guilty as sin.”
This could not be happening. Esme touched Tyler’s arm. “You honestly think one of your best friends would do this to you?”
“Seven million dollars is on your head, Esme. I think anyone would kill for that.” He leaned forward.
“This is bullshit!” Clay cried out. “ I’m helping! I wasn’t even there, all right? I was…hell, I was with Vanessa. She was at my place. Comes by every morning after she drops of f her kid at daycare. I have a freaking alibi! Call her. She’ll tell you. I didn’t do this shit.”
“We will call her,” Kane promised. “But right now, I’m gonna need you to get out of the vehicle.”
Clay gaped. “You are not serious. It’s my Jeep.”
“And we’re borrowing it. See, Tyler and Esme need to vanish. I don’t think you need to know where they’re going. Not right now. Not with the gambling debts you’ve piled up. You always did like to get in games that were way above your head. Remember that time in Monte Carlo? Had to drag you out of that casino.”
Esme’s stomach knotted.
“You tried to take Esme away from the scene,” Tyler charged. “You cuffed her.”
“I was trying to protect her! What the hell? This is insanity! You can’t doubt me! ”
“It might be insanity,” Tyler agreed. “And I’ll apologize like hell later if I’m wrong. And I’ll say it was the concussion talking, and I’ll be really, really sorry for being an asshole, but Esme’s life is on the line, and I’m gonna need you to get out of the Jeep.”
Esme held her breath.
Clay got out of the Jeep. He stood near the driver’s side door with his hands at his sides.
Esme was far too conscious of the gun in his holster.
“You’re making a mistake,” Clay told them. He seemed both angry and sad.
Kane slid into the driver’s seat. “I pulled your phone records. You’ve been calling the Feds.”
Clay blanched. “What? When did you do that?” He raked a hand through his hair. “Look, dammit. One Fed. I called one Fed! I used to report to him on classified operations back in the day. Dammit, I owed him! He buried the work I did before. He helped me put that life behind me. I owed him,” Clay repeated, almost desperately, “and he just wanted me to check in and let him know that Esme was safe and secure. Such a simple job. And it’s Grayson’s damn boss! Of course, we can trust him.”
Grayson’s boss… Thaddeus? Esme leaned forward and poked on Kane’s shoulder. “We should drive away now. Very swiftly. Drive away. Now.”
“Thanks for confirming a suspicion,” Kane told the other man. “FYI, when the hell would I have actually had time to pull phone records?”
Clay blinked. “You…lied to me?”
“Back up, man,” Kane ordered. “Don’t want to drive over your foot, but I will.”
Clay jumped back.
And the Jeep hauled ass away.
This wasn’t happening. Clay watched in utter disbelief as the Jeep rushed down the road. Dust flew into the air after the vehicle. His vehicle.
He whipped out his phone. Two seconds later… “They know, ” he snarled.
“What?” The voice in his ear was confused. And worried.
“They know I’ve been talking to you.” Because he’d walked straight into a stupid trap. Of course, Kane hadn’t pulled phone records. He should have never bought that BS. “Look, they are going to disappear. Into the wind. Kane is helping them. Tyler thinks he can trust him.”
“Kane Harte can’t be trusted by anyone. You know that. ”
Yeah, I do. The man wasn’t called Heartless Harte for nothing. And he just pulled a gun on me. “They’ll be gone as fast as possible. What in the hell am I supposed to do?”
“I’ve gotten word that a top hunter is in Asylum.”
Oh, you’ve gotten word? Like…now you’ve gotten word? “This news would have helped yesterday.”
A grunt. “Don’t know if he was there yesterday. Could have been.”
Total bullshit. “They just left the hospital.”
“Then he will probably have eyes on them already. Your friends need to be very, very careful.”
His friends had just turned on him. They thought he was out to get them.
“Word is that Tyler Barrett now has a bounty on his head.”
Fuck.
“And that Esme Laurent is to be brought in alive.”
Alive. “Since when?” He’d thought the bounty was for her death. Clay yanked at his too tight collar.
Instead of getting an answer, he was told, “Tyler Barrett is a dead man. He just doesn’t know it.”
No, no, dammit. This couldn’t happen. “I’m trying to help them!”
“Then you should probably try harder.”