Page 95 of Holding On

I never would’ve questioned the security of my actual office with how careful we are with everything else, and I might be the one to puke knowing that my oversight contributed to this in any way. “Thanks, Liam.”

“I’m hoping we have more news from Walker yet today, but it sounds like all three were taken into federal custody and will be facing, well, a shit ton of charges. But I’ll keep a close eye on everything, and I have contacts that are watching it closely as well. Rick and Kane won’t be free men any time soon—if ever again. And Debbie Jo better like the color orange because she’s looking at serious time for her crimes as well.” Liam may be in the middle of some sea, but he’s still always keeping an eye out for us.

“I can’t wait to meet Tinsley one day, especially if she’s such a … ball buster,” Sophia gleefully adds, and Liam’s rich laughter echoes off the sterile hospital walls.

“I’m so damn proud of her,” Wells says as his eyes fill with tears and he swallows back even more emotion. He shakes his head as he rubs a hand down his face. We know how today could have gone—and even though there’s a massive pile of shit to sort through, I’m incredibly grateful to have these people by my side as we figure it out.

And, as my sister Savannah would say, we take out the damn trash.

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

Pacing in the hospital lobby, I check my watch. When I mentioned what I wanted to do today, my friend was more than happy to volunteer to meet me, despite my plans to do this at an uncomfortable hour, so the least I could do was meet her with coffee. My cell vibrates, and I glance down before fishing it out of my pocket. I opted to go casual in my black sweatpants and a pullover today—although these days, the goal is just clean clothes when our boys seem to create more laundry than I ever thought was possible for two tiny humans, not just their own clothes but anyone in their vicinity.

It's amazing, exhausting, yes, but experiencing this stage of fatherhood and watching my wife with our boys? I didn’t know this much happiness was even physically possible, and don’t get me started on watching our little girl love on her baby brothers.

Technically, I’m still on paternity leave for another seven weeks, even though I’m now involved in an active case. Thankfully, my wife is an angel and understands—and is also grateful that I was able to help her brother yesterday.

He’s my family too—and there’s nothing I won’t do for my family.

“Morning, Walker,” Dr. Harlow Lane calls out as she shakes some of the spring rain out of her damp hair. She’s in joggers, a dark T-shirt, and a light jacket, but soaked to the bone.

“Hey, Harlow. Did you shower after your morning yoga or just stand outside a few minutes too long?”

“Nice to see you too. I miss our morning chats, so much,” she deadpans until I hold up her coffee and she claps with delight. “Never mind, I miss them. And from Java Jive too? You’re the best.” Harlow takes a drink of her vanilla almond latte and hums in delight.

I nod toward the hallway we need to take. “I would have assumed you grabbed some en route, sorry for the early hour. At least there shouldn’t have been rush-hour traffic quite yet.” It wasn’t even six thirty a.m., but Harlow isn’t meeting my eye.

Interesting.

“Or … not?” I tilt my head at my friend.

“Can you hold this for a second?” She avoids my question, handing me her coffee while she pulls a hair tie off her wrist to throw her hair into a quick pony, squeezing water out of it in the process.

Why the hell is she so damn wet?

It’s raining, but I didn’t think it was coming down that hard out there. I glance out the hospital’s windows before turning back to her. “Seriously, Harlow, do I need to buy you an umbrella?”

“No, I have one in my car.” She reaches for her coffee, but before I can ask why she doesn’t have the umbrella in her hands, she changes the subject. The Queen of Redirect is holding court this morning in the elevator. “How do you want to play this?”

“Officially or unofficially?”

“Both.” One of the many things I appreciate after working with Harlow for so many years in multiple capacities is that despite our age difference, she is a loyal and faithful friend. She has also become more like a family member after joining my sisters’ book club and becoming close friends with both my wife and sister-in-law over the last two years since Vivian came into my life and changed everything.

“Officially, I’m following up on my arrest yesterday,” I state plainly.

“And…”

“Unofficially, I want to make sure we didn’t miss anything else. They came for someone in my family, Harlow.” She nods and that’s enough for her.

Tinsley may not officially be one of ours yet, but I’d bet my shares in my family’s ranch that it’s only a matter of time—and not a long period of time—until Jack gives her his last name. Of course we care about Tinsley, but Kane Daughtry has been coming after Jack for years, even going as far as trying to get involved with Savannah’s then-husband to try and drive a wedge in their family. Rick Willson is obviously the mastermind, and his sister Debbie Jo is a conniving—and apparently, murderous—witch, but Kane Daughtry is a traitorous snake, and I want to make sure that he never touches nor harms someone in my family ever again. From what I witnessed yesterday, I don’t think Kane is fully aware of the reality of his situation, so I’m here to illuminate the asshole.

What can I say? I like to be helpful where I can.

I am also going to make it crystal clear that Kane will stay the hell away from my family. It’s not a threat—it’s an informative and educational meeting; I even brought a very smart doctor with me. Sliding my free hand into my pocket, I pull out my badge, but it’s not necessary when I recognize the U.S. marshal standing guard outside of Kane’s hospital room. He nods at Harlow and me, opening the door for us and closing it once we step inside.

When Rick Wilson shot his accomplice yesterday, Wilson did enough damage to warrant emergency surgery, and due to the damage to Kane’s bowel, he gets to have the lovely accessory of a colostomy bag when he is transferred to a federal holding facility, likely in a few days once the doctors clear him to be moved. Harlow spoke to someone on his medical team last night, and they expect him to get moved out of the ICU today, so long as there aren’t any complications.

But you know, shit happens.