Page 38 of The Deadly Shallows

“Hey,” she whispered.

“Hey.” He clasped her hand, vowing never to let it go. He couldn’t. He wasn’t strong enough to walk away. She very well might when he told her what happened, how it changed him . . . but not today. Today he was here, and she was safely back with him.

He brushed the hair from her eyes, trying not to focus on her wounds. “I’ve got you,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

“Promise not to let go,” she said, tears spilling from her eyes.

“I promise.” He blinked back the tears beading in his eyes.

TWENTY-ONE

“Noah, this would go much faster if you’d stop bouncing your leg,” Dr. Blotny said.

It was a habit he’d had since he was a kid—his way of getting out restless energy. He hadn’t realized he’d been doing it, but it certainly explained the pain throbbing through his thigh.

“Sorry,” he said.

“I know you’re anxious to be with her, but these examinations take a while.”

He hated Brooke having to go through the exams, the questioning, but it was necessary if they hoped to catch the men responsible.

Blotny finally finished and sat back with a shake of her head. “You’ve really got to be more careful. That poor leg is going through the ringer.”

He shrugged. “Comes with the job.”

She exhaled. “Speaking of your job, I thought you’d like to know Connor Andrews is stabilizing. He’s still unconscious but seems to be reviving. If he wakes, he’ll be moved to unit 3 sometime tomorrow.”

“Thanks for letting me know.” He and Connor were going to have a long chat.

“Okay.” Blotny placed her hands on her thighs and stood. “You’re taken care of. Let’s try to keep these stitches in place, shall we?”

“I’ll do my best.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of. Your best pushes your limits, and this needs to heal.”

He nodded. She was right, but if it came to Brooke’s safety or the opportunity to catch the men responsible for not only her injuries but also the deaths and injuries of so many others, he’d act without even taking his leg into consideration.

Blotny grabbed the crutch and handed it to him. “And please actually use this.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She shook her head, clearly knowing better than to expect him to listen. “I suspect this isn’t our last round of stitches.”

His cell rang. “Mason, what’s the latest?” he asked, anxious energy still pulsing through him.

He mouthed Thank you as Blotny silently exited the room.

“We found the boat,” Mason said. “I’m having it transferred to the station’s garage for Finn to examine.”

“And the men?”

“We’re still searching. We now have two US Marshals helping us.”

“Extend our thanks for their assistance.”

“Already done.”

“Good. Keep me posted.”