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“Listen to him, Bri.” Jack joined them, dropping down on his haunches beside her. “Get yourself checked out.”
She offered them a shaky smile. “Don’t gang up on me, okay? After all the surgeries and rehab I’ve been through, I know my body. The damage is confined to my face, and nothing’s broken.”
“You can’t be certain of that.” Jack used the stern tone that probably served him well in interrogations.
It had no effect on his sister.
“Yes, I can.” She held up a hand. “But if it will ease your mind, I promise I’ll go to urgent care if anything gets worse or new symptoms appear overnight.”
“Not acceptable.” Jack turned to him. “Talk to her.”
“I already tried. And I’m fine with Bri’s plan.” Not really, but he’d learned to read that mutinous tilt of her chin. Once she dug in her heels, arguing with her was a lost cause. “But I’ll keep an eye on her.”
“I’llkeep an eye on her tonight.”
“What?” Bri’s attempt at a glower morphed into a wince.
“I’m staying at your place tonight.”
“That’s not necessary, Jack.”
“Here’s my offer—ER or overnight houseguest. Take it or leave it.”
Marc’s mouth twitched.
There was a definite stubborn streak in this family.
At last she huffed out a breath. “Fine.”
Her quicker-than-expected capitulation suggested she hurt more than she was letting on. Or perhaps her last reserves of energy had evaporated. More likely, a combination of the two.
Much as Marc wanted to get her home ASAP, County and St. Charles didn’t finish taking her statements until after eight.
The moment they wrapped up, he hustled her to Jack’s car and joined her in the back seat, his fingers linked with hers, while her brother drove. Using Jack’s vehicle tonight had ended up working to his advantage after all.
Bri snuggled against him, a cold pack propped against her bruises, her voice soft in his ear as the miles sped by. “I still can’t believe you showed up tonight. I want to hear the story behind that.” Her words slurred.
“I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow. Go ahead and sleep now. I’ve got you covered.”
She didn’t respond.
But he’d spoken the truth.
And once she recuperated and the mystery of Les Kavanaugh’s list was finally resolved, he intended to honor that promise for as long as she’d let him.
THIRTY-TWO
SOMEONE SHOULD ARRESTTHE DRIVERof the truck that had run over her.
Groaning, Bri gingerly turned on her side and squinted at the sunlight peeking through the shades on the window across from her bed. Checked her watch.
Nine thirty?
She’d slept twelve hours?
That was a first.
Then again, the physical and emotional turmoil of an abduction was a first too.
