Seconds later, his younger brother appeared in his usual all black, his large powerful frame filling the open doorway.
The rumor mill at Six Points was chock full of stories about Wade, from how he got that ragged scar on his face to what he did to the guy who put it there. Some said it was the gruesome handiwork of a drug lord, while others claimed he got it in a bar brawl at Daytona Beach during Bike Week. He was a walking, talking urban legend, though he didn’t seem nearly as volatile since he got back from his trip to Mexico. He even had a girlfriend now, and it sounded pretty serious. Still, the guy radiated menace, and Pinto usually tried to avoid popping up on his radar.
Wade took one look at Pinto and scowled. “Who did you piss off?”
“I’ll fill you in later.” Austin cut in before Pinto could answer. “Can you call Hope and get her to come over? He needs to be checked out.”
“No, I don’t.”
“Don’t fucking argue with me,” Austin snapped. “I don’t want to have to fire somebody the day before Christmas. You either get checked out here or at the hospital. Your choice.”
Understanding the futility in arguing, Pinto bit his tongue and nodded. Like it or not, his boss was right. He felt like shit, and as a medic he knew better than to ignore his injuries. Still, the knuckle-dragging part of his psyche hated accepting help or admitting weakness, especially to another guy.
Less than an hour later, Dr. Hope Chandler arrived at Six Points and gave him an examination so thorough it put TSA to shame.
“How’s the patient?” Austin asked when they emerged from the vacant office they’d used as a makeshift exam room.
“Well, without the proper medical equipment, I can’t give an accurate diagnosis,” she replied as she tugged off a pair of blue latex gloves. “But based on my exam, he looks to have suffered a concussion, fractured ribs, bruised kidneys, multiple abrasions and contusions—including one shaped like a footprint on his back. I’d recommend he go to the hospital for tests to evaluate the full extent of his injuries, but the patient is uncooperative in that regard.”
“I’m fine,” Pinto insisted for what had to be the hundredth time. “All I need is a little rest.” And about forty aspirin. His head was still killing him.
Hope sighed as she shot him a look. “You’re a medical professional, so you know the drill: lots of water, plenty of rest, no heavy lifting or strenuous activity for the next few days, and over-the-counter medication as needed for the pain. If the blood in your urine doesn’t clear up after forty-eight hours, for God’s sake go to the damn hospital, or at the very least call me.”
“Thanks for coming, Doc,” Wade said, and his eyes softened like they always did whenever Hope entered his orbit.
“No problem.” She gave a smile that warmed her eyes. “Walk me to my car?”
“Of course.”
Wade put his hand on the small of her back as they exited the room, leaving Pinto alone with a seriously pissed-off Austin.
Tension thickened like a fog in the room. Pinto’s heart thudded in his chest as Austin’s eyes bored into him.
“How long have you worked here?” Austin asked in a voice that could crumble a building’s foundation.
Pinto swallowed hard. He’d seen his boss pissed off before, but never had that anger been focused squarely on him. “About a year and a half, sir.”
“Then you’ve been here long enough to know better.” Austin heaved out a breath as he rubbed the side of his neck. “Damn it, Pinto, you’re one of my best men. More than that, you’re part of the family. I trusted you to keep my wife alive; don’t think I’ll ever forget that. If shit like this ever happens again, I expect to be informed immediately. Am I clear?”
“Yes, sir.” Family was more than blood. He’d learned that lesson in the Navy. It filled him with pride to know that Austin considered him part of his.
“Good. Now let’s figure a way out of this mess before it goes nuclear and we end up in a war with the whole damn police department.”
Athome,Fionapeeredthrough the blinds, disappointed because Joe’s car hadn’t appeared in the parking lot since the last time she checked a few minutes ago.
He should have been home an hour ago, and he hadn’t sent her a message to let her know that he was running late. It wasn’t like him, and it made her worry that something had happened, especially after his earlier warning to watch out for Dennis.
They’d made plans to spend Christmas Eve together. Nothing fancy, just Chinese takeout and some quality time curled up on the couch while they watched a holiday movie. Okay, there’d certainly be more than that. She hadn’t worn her sexiest bra and panties, both red, like her blouse, for nothing. She’d also bought a nice bottle of wine and a few extra sprigs of mistletoe. If the evening went as she’d planned, they wouldn’t even make it to the end of the movie.
The heavy rumble of an engine caught her attention, and she spotted a big black pickup truck pull up to the curb in front of the building. The passenger door opened and her heart skipped a beat when Joe climbed out. Head bent, he said something to the driver right before he closed the door, and he turned toward the building as the truck drove away.
Maybe his car broke down. That would explain why he was late.
Fiona crossed to the foyer and opened the door, anticipation building as the sound of his steps in the stairwell grew closer. At last, Joe came into view, and the ugly bruises marring his face nearly knocked the breath from her lungs. “Oh my God, what happened?”
“It’s not as bad as it looks.”
“Really? Because it looks pretty painful.” She opened the door wider. “Get in here and tell me what happened.”
