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Chapter 13
“We’ve got a problem,” Tank said the minute Maria walked onto the floor.
She’d stopped at the hospital on her way back to the hotel, needing to see Teag with her own eyes before winding down for the day.
A chill went up her spine, whether it was from standing in the overly air-conditioned hospital ward wearing cut-offs, a tank top, and dried sweat, or from Tank’s worried expression, she wasn’t sure. Probably both. Rubbing her hands along her arms, she blew out a long breath. “Tell me.”
Instead of answering, Tank held out his phone, web browser open. Maria cringed at the headline.
“Superstar Drummer Teagan Tate Awake After Shooting Kills Two Local Women”
She scanned the article, growing more alarmed with every word.
Teagan Tate, drummer for the rock band Madison Grace, was the sole survivor of a shooting Saturday night at the Four Seasons hotel in Miami. Two women, cousins Cristina and Renata del Fuego, were killed by an unidentified gunman who allegedly broke into Mr. Tate’s private room after a downtown concert at which he performed.
A source confirms Mr. Tate was treated for life-threatening injuries at Jackson Memorial Hospital but is currently awake and alert and is expected to make a full recovery. Thus far, the police have refused to comment, stating only that this is an active investigation.
“Son of a bitch,” Maria mumbled.
“No shit. Not only will we have to deal with Teag’s adoring fans, but now the psycho fuck who shot him has a road map to his location,” Tank said, crossing his arms over his wide chest.
“Does Cam know?”
“Oh yeah. He’s pissed. I think he already chewed the hospital administrator a new asshole.”
Maria knew Tank well enough to judge his stress level by the number of times he swore, and the guy was at DEFCON 1.
“All right. Stay here and do not let anyone into that room.”
“Copy that,” Tank said.
Maria walked down the hall, away from the bustle of the nurse’s station, and dialed Cam. “We need to move him ASAP,” she said without preamble the moment her boss answered.
“Agreed. We’re putting him in the hospice wing, but keeping this room listed as his in the hospital database.”
“Hospice wing?”
“Best I could do,” Cam said, sounding out of breath. “When I get up there, we’re going to make it look like he’s heading down for a CT scan, and we’ll just take him to the new room. The only people who know what we’re up to will be the charge nurse and Teag’s surgeon.”
“Good call. I’ll stay until we get him transferred,” Maria said. “But this is only going to buy us a little more time. It’s too big a place to keep him hidden for very long.”
“I know. We’re working on a safe house once he’s well enough to move.”
“That can’t happen soon enough,” Maria said, walking back toward Teag’s room, senses on high alert. She pocketed her phone and nodded to Tank, who stood like a sentry outside the closed door.
Inside the room, Teag sat propped up in bed, looking more alert than she’d seen him since he’d woken up. A stunning smile lit his face when she walked in.
“Hey there,” she greeted him. “We need to take a little field trip when Cam gets here in a couple of minutes.”
Teag’s smile dimmed a little when he heard the serious tone in her voice.
“What’s up?”
“Someone sold out to the media. The world knows you’re alive and talking,” she answered.
“Well, shit, that was fast.”
“Where are your mom and Annabelle?”
