Page 16 of Wounded Hearts

Not wanting to leave her alone too long and let her get inside her head, he rushed through his shower, ignoring his raging hard-on and dressing in loose jeans and a dark green t-shirt. He tied his boots and stood just as his phone rang. Looking at the screen he saw Zack’s number. “Morning, boss man.”

“Drew. We have a problem.” Drew went rigid as he listened. “Brayden Wells called Craig Linos this morning going ballistic about how someone had kidnapped his fiancée and if she wasn’t returned in twenty-four hours, he was calling the police and launching an investigation.”

“That’s bullshit,” Drew bit out.

“I know, but we need to know what her story is. I’m happy to go to bat for her but I want to know what we’re getting into.”

“She hasn’t told me yet, but she’s scared of him, Zack. Every time I move too fast, she flinches. She seems terrified of him.”

“Bastard,” Zack bit out.

“Yeah.” He didn’t say more because Zack got it, he knew that.

“Okay. Can you come into Fortis around two? I have to go shoe shopping for Riley first. I have no idea what that kid does to his shoes, but they last about six weeks before he kicks the toes out.”

Drew heard the pride in his boss’s voice and smiled despite himself. Zack was a tough operator and a hard boss but with his wife and kids he was a marshmallow—not that Drew would ever be foolish enough to say that. “That works. Lauren and Dane are bringing some clothes over for her anyway.”

“Okay. I can have Ava come with me and then she and Lauren can take the kids swimming in the pool. It might make Mara feel safer to have the girls around. We can discuss things with her and see what she wants us to do.”

“Thanks, Zack.”

“No problem and good work last night. Craig was impressed with how you handled Smithy and so was I. It isn’t an easy situation.”

“How is he this morning?”

“He can’t remember what set him off and apart from some residual embarrassment which isn’t his to endure, he seems okay. He’s working in the lab with Megan.”

“Good. That will take his mind off things.”

“I have to go, Ava is hollering. See you at two.”

Drew hung up and sighed. He didn’t want to see the look of fear on Mara’s face, but he knew he had to talk to her. It was time to face things head-on.