Page 138 of Secrets in the Deep

She sighed and rested her head against his chest. “Fine. But shouldn’t we be waiting for Ward? Won’t he need to take my statement or something?”

Yeah, he would. The ambulance had made it to the scene before Ward arrived. The ambulance that Emily had claimed wasn’t necessary. It was.

“He can pay us a visit at the house.” Although, if Emily was sleeping when he arrived, the sheriff would have to wait. Her recovery was his priority. If Ward had really wanted to speak to her, he should have moved his ass faster to get to the sceneorthe hospital. They’d briefly spoken to a deputy, but Ward liked to be involved in the big cases. Mostly so he could take some of the credit.

They reached his truck and he carefully slid Emily into the passenger seat. When he went to reach for her seat belt, she slapped his hand away. “I can do it.”

With an exaggerated exhale, he moved around to the driver’s side. He’d just slipped behind the wheel when his phone vibrated with a text.

Joel: Everyone’s done here. Ward’s heading your way. He’s not happy we didn’t call him. Went on a rant about us handling his business.

Ryan: I’m not sorry. Emi wouldn’t be here if we hadn’t done what we did.

Zac: That’s what I told him.

Ryan: If he’s going to the hospital, he’s gonna be too late. We’re already leaving.

Ethan: I’ll let him know.

Connor: Should one of us be there to make sure you don’t get your ass arrested?

Ryan: No. I’ll be fine.

As long as Ward didn’t do or say anything to piss him off.

Zac: How’s Emily?

He glanced beside him to see Emily’s head back, eyes closed.

Ryan: Tired. Luckily, no surgery needed.

Joel: Good. And how are you?

Ryan: Wound was superficial.

Connor: Get some rest. Both of you.

He dropped his phone into the middle console and pulled onto the road.

One hand stayed on the wheel as the other went to her thigh. He felt her eyes on him before he saw them. Her head was tilted sideways, gaze hooded as she looked at him.

“You look angry,” she said quietly.

He shook his head. “I hit angry when I figured out Roscoe was behind this. I’m well past that.”

“I know.”

“That fucker had cameraseverywhere. He was going to kill you and film it.” Jesus, he wanted to go back and murder the guy a second time.

She set a hand on top of his. “He didn’t kill me though.Hedied. And everything he filmed will just be thrown into police evidence.”

He lifted her hand and kissed the back. “Thank God.”

When they pulled up at his house, a white van sat out front—and standing by his steps was that fucking journalist, Shaun.

Well, maybe hewouldget to hurt someone before the day was out.

He pulled into his drive, getting to Emily’s side just before she could climb out.