Page 131 of Lion’s Den

“Unfortunately. Simpson is right. Lyons was responsible for his uncle’s death in a way. I asked Lyons about Simpson’s accusation. He said, ‘Of course I sent Amos Osborn to Pike. You don’t think I lend out my hard-earned money, do you? I’m not a fool.’ They grew up next door to each other. Osborn thought Lyons was his friend, so he took Pike’s offer of money to pay off his gambling debt.”

“But he thought he could beat the house, pay off his gambling debt, and have seed money for more gambling, didn’t he?”

“You got it. That led to more gambling to get his money back, which never happened, and eventually led Osborn to bank robbery.”

“If Simpson loved his uncle so much, why didn’t he get Osborn some help before he hit rock bottom?”

“He didn’t know about the gambling. Osborn hid it from him. I know you need to go, and I have almost a dozen thugs to process and book. You and Sedona come to the station later today so we can clear up the paperwork, Sims.”

“Yes, sir. We’ll be there after lunch or sooner, depending on how busy the emergency room is.”

“If a sprained or broken wrist is the only injury she carries away from this, it will be a miracle.” He motioned for them to go.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Get lost, Sims, or I’ll put you to work.”

“Copy that, sir.” He scooped Sedona into his arms and walked away from the clearing.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

SIX HOURS LATER, Cam and Sedona walked into the sheriff’s department with the rest of The Thunderhawks trailing behind them.

Levi Montgomery leaned back against his desk, arms folded across his chest. “It’s about time you got here, Sims. We were about to issue a BOLO on you.”

“Ha ha. The emergency room was backed up. It took a while to get to Sedona, then took even longer to x-ray her wrist and splint it a second time.”

“What’s the verdict on her injury?”

“Broken wrist. She’s scheduled for surgery in a couple of days.”

A slow smile curved Levi’s mouth. “That’s enough time.”

Cam narrowed his eyes. “No meddling, Montgomery.”

“It’s a good idea,” Dario said. The rest of his teammates nodded.

Sedona looked from one man to the other. “What am I missing?”

“Nothing.”

“Liar,” Spencer said. “I’ll bet Sedona thinks it’s a great idea.”

“Ask her,” Isaac said. “You know you want to, and you’ll put the rest of us out of the misery of hearing you bemoan the fact that she’s too good for you.”

“Shut up, and that’s an order,” he snapped. He wouldn’t push Sedona into something she might not want. For goodness’ sake, he hadn’t even talked to her about marriage.

Rhys said, “I see an empty office. Go take care of business, and we’ll help with the details.”

These guys were like a bulldozer, rolling over any obstacle in their wake.

Sedona’s small hand slipped into his. “Come on. I want to know what’s going on, and you won’t tell me with these troublemakers heckling you.”

The Thunderhawks protested her assessment, but Sedona ignored them.

Cam allowed himself to be led away from the chaos of the squad room. He wondered if David meant what he’d said earlier today. Hiring The Thunderhawks as deputies and as Morgan County’s Search and Rescue team solved the shortage of law enforcement officers that had plagued the department even before David inherited the problem.

He opened the empty office door, ushered Sedona inside, and after a last glare at his grinning friends, shut the door behind him. Turning to face Sedona, his heartbeat sped up. She said she loved him, but what if loving him wasn’t enough? What if she needed more? He’d give her the world if he could. Taking him on and merging her world with his was a lot to ask of any woman.