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We spun to face Sebastian, who had one eye open and was peering at us curiously. He tried to move but winced right away, so we hurried to him to keep him behaving.
“Don’t move too much,” Matthew reprimanded. “You’re injured and we don’t know the extent yet.”
Sebastian looked listless, his sigh resigned. “I don’t, either, but guys, I need you to tell me one thing honestly. You can’t lie about it.”
“What?” I asked.
There was a heavy pause.
“How badly is my face beaten up? Do you think the doctors can still fix it or will I look ugly forever?”
Dumbfounded, Matthew could only stare before he bit back his laughter. I growled at them, but I couldn’t help the relief that Sebastian had it in him to still goof around. That meant he hadn’t lost his good spirits.
“Tell us what happened,” Matthew said when we’d all calmed down enough.
At that, Sebastian sobered up, his amusement fading. To my surprise, he looked me in the eye.
“Vicky. I saw her.”
My body tensed.
“Actually, she bumped into me deliberately,” he continued, his jaw clenching, then loosening when it visibly pained him. “She heard me talking to Sophie on the phone and goaded me. She told me the same lies as usual, trying to paint herself as the good guy. I was so focused on trying not to let her get to me that I didn’t see the men until it was too late. I tried to fight back, but there were too many of them.”
“So it was all a setup,” I deduced. Somehow, that made it worse and just crystallized what Vicky was in my mind. A snake who didn’t deserve a second chance.
Before I could go on a rant, someone cleared their throat. I glanced at Sophie, who had probably been standing there since our conversation started, her gaze fixed on Sebastian. He lit up at the sight of her, then groaned when he instinctively moved and was overwrought with pain all over again.
“The doctor’s here,” she said and strode over to his other side. She didn’t touch him, was perhaps afraid to touch him, unsure where else he hurt.
But the doctor came in and told us the good news. Despite Sebastian’s injuries, there was no damage to his organs and his fractured bones would heal. He just needed some time in the hospital, then more time to rest off his feet at home when he got discharged. It was safe to say everyone stopped holding their breaths as soon as the doctor was gone, especially since we were prepared for a worse diagnosis.
Jansen walked in a few minutes later. I subtly shook my head when he glanced at me, signaling that I didn’t want him talking about my tampering issue yet and to prioritize this. He got right into it, questioning Sebastian about Vicky and the men who jumped him. But Sebastian’s answers were frustrating.
“I don’t know. I’m pretty sure I saw their faces, but it’s like…” He looked frustrated as he visibly tried to recall what happened. “I can’t remember any distinct features. Just hair colors. What about Vicky?”
Jansen shook his head. “I still don’t know her real name or where she’s staying. I can’t trace her other than when she shows herself, so I assume they have a secret headquarters just like we do where she’s lying low. It’s hard to catch her, Seb, but I’ve put her on the watch list for her scam runs. That’s the best the police force can do for now.”
No one liked that answer, but there was nothing we could do. When Jansen left again, Sebastian was agitated, but Sophie calmed him down with a gentle kiss on his forehead.
“Sophie, thanks for contacting us and coming,” Matthew began, his mind already going into leader mode. “How about you go back to work and—”
“No.” She straightened and met Matthew’s gaze. “I’m taking a leave.”
“A leave?”
“From the restaurant, Matthew. From work. I’m not leaving Sebastian here. You can fire me if you don’t agree. I don’t care.”
Hah. Fat chance he’d fire her.
“Sophie, sweetheart—”
“Don’t you sweetheart me,” she cut in, glaring at Sebastian. Then she eyed each of us firmly, her stubborn streak taking over. “I’m staying with Seb and that’s final. He needs someone by his side and I’m the best candidate. I can easily call you when there’s trouble and you guys can focus on catching the bad guys and Vicky.”
“I’ll relieve her,” I volunteered promptly, already looking at Matthew because I knew he would be the first to argue. The man wanted to be everywhere at once and take care of everyone, but it just wasn’t possible and he needed to learn that. Sophie knew it, too, as she looked at me before following my stance as we waited Matthew out.
Sebastian cleared his throat and, to our surprise, joined in, too.
“I don’t mind them taking turns. Sophie’s nice to look at and Rupert’s not that ugly, at least.”
