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“I’ve indicated that we’ll need to have her airlifted immediately to discern how extensive her injuries are, so there is a medivac en route if you’d like to accompany her.”
“I’m going. I’m staying with my mom.” Jesse’s voice is firm, and he grips her hand more tightly. At that movement, Summer’s eyes flutter open, only for a second, shifting from Jesse to me, before fluttering closed once more.
“We can both go, right?”
At my question, the paramedic nods softly. “Absolutely—”
Her words are cut off when out of left field, Ford steps onto the patio via the back door, raising his hands when Bull and his entire team aim at least a dozen weapons in his direction.
He takes it all in his stride, dropping to the ground beside us with a nod to the team. “I’m one of the good guys.”
My heart pounds painfully, and my question comes out little more than a croak. “Where’s Bug?”
My friend spears me with intent. “She’s safe with my baby sister. I promise. I wouldneverendanger her, Cade.”
I exhale a sigh of relief as thewhop-whopof the medivac sounds once more.
“When I got your text, I secured Miss Bella and got back here as quick as I could. I heard a gunshot as I pulled up, and your sisters all made to run outside. I stopped them, and urged them back into their rooms, knowing that it was aTequila Sunriseout here. I didn’t get to Jesse in time—”
“You went above and beyond.” My heart fills with gratitude for this man who I’m fortunate enough to call my friend. “Thank you, Ford.” I put every ounce of appreciation that I can muster into my voice. “Truly. Thank you for everything.”
The medivac lands on the wide-open space beyond the swimming pool to the left of the expansive patio, the wind from the blades slicing through the night, whipping the hot Texan evening air into our faces.
The paramedic begins to ready Summer for transportation, and we all rise to stand.
“Ford? Could you please grab my Bug and bring her to—”
I stop short, turning to the paramedic. “Excuse me? Which hospital?”
“Hemmingway Memorial in Austin.”
Turning back to Ford, he nods sharply and turns to do as he’s bid without a word.
“And Ford?”
He spins to me. “Yeah, Cade?”
“Could you reach out to…to…” I trail off, the name sticking in my throat. Swallowing the bitterness, I try again. “To Vaughn Burton?”
Ford presses his lips together with wide eyes, and I continue. Begrudgingly.
“Clearly, ifhesent these guys, he knows more than we do about what happened here tonight.”
CHAPTER38
CADEN
“You want a coffee?”
Ford’s voice breaks the trance I’ve been in as I watch Summer sleep, waiting for her to come around from her sedation.
It’s been almost twenty-four hours since the events transpired at North Star. Upon our arrival at Hemmingway Memorial, we were granted access to an extensive suite while Summer was assessed.
She had roused as they were debriding the wound and had become distraught. The doctors had then sedated her, and she has yet to wake.
“Yeah, sure.”
Ford nods at my affirmation before twisting about to look at Jesse. “Wanna stretch those legs? You’ve not moved in hours.”
