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A dark brown eyebrow vanished beneath the detective’s bangs. “Threating a detective? And what about the other woman?”
Hastings leaned toward the man, eyes locked on his. “Violet Wentz is my woman. I’m threatening a man who is sniffing where he doesn’t need to be.”
A small, secretive grin tipped up his lips. “And the other woman?”
“What other woman?”
“Got it. No one but Miss Wentz in your sight. I know you think we don’t care about this, but we do. Officer Juarez spoke to me when he was pulled from the case.”
“Pulled?” Hastings perked up. “Why?”
“Not sure, I was just assigned the case. I hunted down Juarez and got his notes. I could use your help.”
Hastings knew something that the cops wouldn’t ever know. The ones who had done this to Evan had been dealt with. No matter how hard they looked, nothing would come of the end result. They were all dead.
“I can’t be of any more assistance than I have been.” The doctor exited Evan’s room and Hastings got to his feet. “Excuse me.” He strode off and spoke to the doctor, then he knocked on the door and slipped into the room.
Kimberleigh slept on the bed, tight in Evan’s arms. Hastings exhaled with relief he’d not understood he’d needed until it happened. Not too far away was a bassinet, where Eirian slumbered. But his friend’s eyes were open, showing the glint of awareness which never went away, not when you did and had done what they did.
Lifting the chair and carrying it to his side, so it didn’t scrape over the floor and wake Kimberleigh, Hastings sat and struggled not to touch his friend, to make sure he wasn’t hallucinating.
“Didn’t think I’d see you again.” Evan’s voice was raspy. Granted, he’d had a tube down his throat for a few weeks.
“Why didn’t you call me?” Hastings shoved a hand through his hair. “Tell me you needed something?”
Defiance sparked before it faded ,and Evan glanced to the woman sacked out beside him.
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“I think I do. She’s your world. Her and your daughter. And she wouldn’t leave where she felt comfortable, so you didn’t push.”
Evan nodded. “I fucked up. When she came home, bruised, I…I had to do something.”
“We all would have.”
“They say my father is here.”
“He is. But so is mine.”
A grimace crossed Evan’s face before they both chuckled.
“Does he know about Kim or Eirian?”
“I don’t know, Evan. Probably. Will you let me help you?”
“I have to be the man worthy of her.”
Hastings grasped his friend’s hand and squeezed his fingers, minding the port for the IV. “You are worthy of her, Evan. How she sleeps against you, holding you like that, tells me all. She loves and trusts you. Not only with herself but also your child.”
“I can’t ask.”
“You’re not asking, even though you should have. I’m offering. For all three of you.”
In his periphery the news flashed to the veteran’s home, and Violet squaring off with a reporter. The television was muted so he couldn’t hear her, but given how the man squirmed and the others there laughed, he assumed that she was skinning him alive.
God, that woman. She made him feel.
“Your woman?”
Hastings didn’t wonder how Evan had picked up on that from her being on television, but he didn’t tarry with his answer. “Sure is.”
A ghost of a smile. “Can’t wait to meet her.”
“You’ll like her. She’s a fighter and stubborn as hell.”
“Has to be in order to put up with you.” The harsh glint faded slightly from his eyes.
Hastings chuckled, and after the news moved away from Violet he put his attention back on his friend. They went over the events of that night and Hastings, for the second time in a short while, used his name to get what he wanted for his friend.
Evan tried to argue with him but Hastings shut that down. He ensured their place had security and also took the time to make sure Kimberleigh would have access to a counselor for her drug habit.
It took a while for all the pieces to be put in their proper places. However, money talked and he used his name to make sure it was done right away. Once they were set up in a nice place, the detective showed up.
Detective Brown waited outside for Kimberleigh to get up. During that time, Hastings looked at his friend.
“You do know you’re safe, Evan. Right?”
His friend swallowed. The color not having returned to his skin yet which didn’t make Hastings happy but he was awake. “Always.”
One sharp nod. “Always.”
On that note, Hastings walked out, positive Evan knew those men were dead and never coming back. He wasn’t needed for the cop and he had a bar—suggested by Bradford—to get to. A woman to claim.
* * * *
Devil’s Bite was a nightclub and bar that catered to the wealthy. There were singles in there looking to hook up, couples about to get to it right in view, and some who were looking for others. The interior gleamed under the strobing lights. Highly polished dark wood floors took up most of the area.
