“Hey,” Maverick said.
“How is she?” Sinclair asked.
“Groggy, in pain. Been sleeping, mostly.”
“Thanks for your help,” Sinclair said to the woman.
“Where do men like you hang out?” she whispered. “I never meet guys who look like you. Wow, you two are something else.”
“Thank you, darlin’,” Maverick said. “Point us in the direction of coffee.”
As soon as she did, they took off.
“Tell me everything,” Sinclair said.
On the way to the cafeteria, Maverick gave him the long version, including Internado’s interest in choke sex.
“I’m not surprised. Greta has a reputation for walking the line between consent and downright dangerous. Where’s Internado now?”
“In jail, I hope. I have no idea. I met him at Rudy’s yesterday and got him to admit he altered the subcommittee report.”
“Were you wired?”
“Damn straight.”
“Get that over to me. I’ll make sure it ends up in the right hands.”
Even at this early hour, the cafeteria was busy. “You want something?” Maverick asked.
“Coffee.”
Maverick bought three.
“You aren’t eating?” Sinclair asked. “You never turn down food.”
“My stomach’s in knots.”
“So, now what?” Sinclair asked on the way back to Carly’s room.
“Dad’s representing us, though I doubt we’ll need legal counsel.”
“I’m at your disposal. Whatever you need.”
“I need Carly to make a full recovery.”
“She will.”
“She has to,” Maverick replied. “Because I can’t live without her.”
Sinclair’s lips split into a smile. “Finally. The damn truth.”
Carly opened her eyes and gasped. Then, she wrapped her fingers around her sore neck. The vivid memory of her ordeal crashed into her reality and her heart raced in her chest.
“You’re okay and you’re safe.”
She expected to see Ashton, but his dad sat at her bedside. Since childhood, Warren Hott had been a positive role model in her life. She’d turned to him for advice when it was time to apply for college and, later, for career advice.
Over the years, he’d been a great sounding board when a case stumped her. She admired his quiet strength, strong moral compass, and deep love for his children. Ashton was so much like his dad…only brimming with that intoxicating bravado she loved so much.
