“Nope.” Danny shook his head slowly without breaking eye contact with Grant. “The shit going through your head right now? That’s not gonna happen.”
“I haven’t even said anything yet.”
“You don’t need to. It’s written all over your face, and I’m telling you, it’s not going to happen. You’ll let the people whose job it is to handle this shit handle it.”
“You’re out on medical leave, effectively immediately,” Cobb said. “It’ll be on the news tonight and tomorrow morning that there was a fire at a beloved local bar and a firefighter who was injured will be out on medical leave until he recovers. In a break from the usual department protocol, you’ll be named, but I’ll need you to okay that.”
“I’m okay with that.” If it kept the bastard from starting another fire to get to him, he’d go along with it. He had no reason to put citizens and firefighters at risk if he couldn’t get to Grant that way. “I understand.”
“You won’t be using your unexpected vacation time to play vigilante.” Cobb gave him a hard look. “Like Walsh said, you’re going to let law enforcement handle this so you don’t make it any worse. What you’re going to do is lie low and keep yourself and Wren safe.”
When he didn’t say anything, Danny spoke. “You might want to consider taking her and going home to New Hampshire for a few days.”
“Law enforcement’s looking for this guy and they’re looking hard because he fucked with us,” Cobb assured him. “Hopefully it won’t take long to find him and then he’s going away again. You wouldn’t have to be gone more than a few days, if all goes well.”
They were probably right. Taking Wren and getting out of the city would get her out of harm’s way.
Maybe.
He thought of what Mitchell had done to Wren’s brother. He’d gone to prison for it, and yet here he was. He’d set a fire to get to Grant, and then he’d dealt him a blow that might have killed him if not for his equipment.
Mitchell had found her in Boston. He knew about Grant. He knew about Kincaid’s Pub. He knew a hell of a lot more than he should about Wren’s life. And Grant’s. He’d been watching.
Grant thought about his parents. His mom. He knew what they’d say. They’d tell him to get his ass home and bring Wren with him, and his dad would dust off the old shotgun from his duck hunting days.
He couldn’t do it. As much as he loved Wren, he couldn’t risk bringing Mitchell to his mother’s doorstep.
Exhaling slowly, he closed his eyes. If he thought his presence threatened his mom, he wouldn’t hesitate to leave. To go anywhere else, as long as it kept her safe. And if being with Grant endangered Wren, he’d run if that’s what it took to keep anybody from hurting her.
Because sometimes, no matter how hard you fought, you didn’t win.
Wren. She’d told him she’d run to keep him safe, but it hadn’t made any sense to him because he hadn’t experienced her fear. He didn’t get it. But now he knew what the man was capable of and the reality of Grant’s presence endangering his mother while his absence kept her safe, and the knowledge he was going to make that decision for her because she’d care more about him than herself gave him an inkling of what Wren had been feeling the day she told him they were done.
He opened his eyes. He wasn’t going to hide, either, because God only knew who Mitchell might go after next to flush out him and Wren.
“You,” Cobb said, pointing a finger at Gavin. “Keep him on a short leash.”
“I’ll try, Chief. He doesn’t always listen worth a damn, as you know.”
Cobb didn’t smile. “That’s it for now. Stay out of trouble. I can’t stress that enough, Cutter. Right now you’ve got the high ground, legally speaking. Don’t jeopardize that trying to be a hero.”
“I’m sorry about all of this, Chief.”
“This doesn’t reflect on you, son. The only person responsible for any of this is Ben Mitchell, and I’m already looking forward to being present to offer testimony at his arraignment.”
Once they were back in Gavin’s truck, Grant rested his head against the seat and closed his eyes. “I can’t put my parents in this.”
“I didn’t think you would. You should call them, though. Tell them everything just so they know, especially since you’ve brought her there. I don’t know how the hell he’s getting information, but he’s smart, I guess. Smarter than we gave him credit for.”
“I’ll call them in a little while. It’s going to be a shitty phone call and I need more ibuprofen first.” He opened his eyes as the truck started to move. “I have to tell Wren.”
“Yeah. And you know we’ve all got your back, but Patty needs to know what’s going on, too. Cait’ll be worried about her mom and I need to be able to tell her you’ve taken her into consideration.”
“No, I have to tell Wren now.” His head was starting to throb in earnest, but he did his best to stay focused. “If he knew starting a fire at Tommy’s would get me there, then he knows everything about her and he might know she’s at the market right now. Take me home so I can get my Jeep.”
“You look like you’re about to pass out. You’re not driving anywhere.”
“I don’t want to call her and panic her without somebody there to be with her on her way home.”
