Page 75 of Guarding Colton’s Witness

“Not happening.” He turned to the next page.

“I could arrest you and put you in jail where you’d be safe.”

“You could, but I’ll tell Sam you’re mean to me and he won’t like you.”

Wyatt laughed. “You play dirty, Doc.”

“For Matti, I’d cover myself in dirt.”

“It’s like that, huh?”

Ryan lifted his gaze to Matti’s brother. “It’s like that.” The respect and acceptance he saw in Wyatt’s eyes gave him some of the confidence he needed because he was stressed out.

What if something went wrong and she got hurt? His wrist was still in a brace and only painful if he moved it wrong; it was much better than when he’d first hurt it in the fight. But what if he had to fight again? He wasn’t as strong as he had been before spraining his wrist. Even so, and even though Wyatt or one of his men would be here, he wasn’t leaving Matti’s side. No one was as invested in her safety as he was.

Yet, as determined as he was to be there for her, he couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that gnawed at his insides, a nagging voice in his head warning him of the dangers that lay ahead. He knew the risks involved, the kind of people they were up against, but he also knew that he couldn’t let fear dictate his actions. Not if he wanted to protect Matti.

Chapter 31

Mac Dempsy had relieved Wyatt for overnight guard duty, and then Wyatt had returned this morning, sending Mac home to get some sleep.

“Do you think anyone saw you arrive?” she said.

“Almost positive the answer’s no,” he said, heading straight for the coffee pot. “I came in an unmarked car and parked on a back street.”

“Do you have any idea who these people are?” From what she understood, these two men were low-life criminals and not the smartest crayons in the box. How could they evade every law enforcement agency in Red Grove? It wasn’t like the town was a major city like New York or Chicago.

“We’re still chasing leads that are going nowhere, but we’re closing in on them.” He poured a cup of coffee. “We’ll catch them, Matti. If not when they come here looking for Sam, it will happen somewhere and soon.”

“I’m all for the soon part.” Exhaustion lined her brother’s face, and if he wasn’t careful, he was going to work himself into the hospital. She glanced at Ryan, who was reading one of his medical journals. At least there was a doctor in the house should her brother collapse on them.

Ryan’s participation in all this worried her. He wasn’t trained for this, had never handled a weapon in his life, and had a hurt wrist that was still in a brace. If something happened to him, she’d never forgive herself for involving him in her problems.

“I’m just a lookout,” he assured her when she expressed her concern. “An extra pair of eyes and ears for your brother, or whoever is packing a gun here at the time. Believe me, those men show up, I’ll be the first to let them play the hero.”

It was with that assurance that she didn’t tell Wyatt to tie Ryan up and haul him away where he’d be safe. Although, if they tried that, Ryan would just find his way back. She knew that about him. The man had proved he had single-minded focus from the time he was eight years old, going for what he wanted and getting it.

By that afternoon, Matti was close to climbing the walls. She was ready for something to happen. She got her Kindle, but she kept reading the same page over and over. She finally gave up and tried to find something on TV. That couldn’t keep her attention either.

“How long do you think—”

“The same answer I gave you the last two times you asked,” Wyatt said. “No way to know when they’ll show up, or if they even will. My guess, they’ll hit us at night if they do come.”

Ryan—who’d taken a nap after lunch, had read a medical journal from cover to cover, and was now watching an old war movie with Wyatt—appeared calm and worry free, as if men with guns weren’t expected to barge in at any moment.

Same for Wyatt, like it was just another day at the beach for the two of them. It was maddening. She stomped to the window for the thousandth time and peered out. She was ready for whatever was going to happen to happen.

“A watched pot never boils,” Wyatt said.

She glared at her brother. “Shut up.”

After Ryan said something to him that she couldn’t hear, Wyatt stood. “I need to make some phone calls. I’ll do that in Sam’s room.”

“Come here, Matti,” Ryan said after Wyatt disappeared down the hall. Even though she was annoyed with him, too, she went. When she reached him, he took her hand and pulled her down next to him.

“What did you say to Wyatt to make him scurry away?”

“I asked him if he wanted to be the one to calm you down or should I.”