Brooklyn leaped to his feet. “Did you find Sadie?”
“Safe in the backyard,” I told him.
“Oh, thank God.”
His eyes met mine, and I really wanted to cross the room and fold him into a hug. Maybe get a hug too, because I was not in great shape. This wasn’t the time, though. We had to focus on Cheyenne. “Cheyenne caught her. She was brilliant,” I said, because every bit of praise had to help.
“Cheyenne West?” the female deputy said. “I need to take a statement from you. Is there somewhere private you feel safe?”
“My room?” Cheyenne glanced at us. “Can Brooklyn and Arthur come?”
“Sorry. We need your independent statement.”
“I, however, will come along as her attorney,” Wynn said. “That’s why Mr. West sent for me. If that’s all right with you, Cheyenne?”
“Yes. Thank you.” She hadn’t moved from her spot a foot inside the door.
I stuck my head back out and called, “Ebony, come!” When the big dog trotted over I brought him inside, closing the door on the other two. “Here, Cheyenne, take Eb with you too. He’ll lick the mouth of anyone who’s mean to you.”
That got me a twitch of a smile, but she took his collar in a tight grip.
“Just don’t let him on the bed,” I added. “Lead on.” I waved toward the hallway. Best for her to get this over with.
Cheyenne raised her chin and coaxed Eb with her toward her room, while the female deputy and Wynn followed her.
The oldest male cop said, “She’ll be okay. Deputy Rampersad is great.”
“Thank you.” I took one careful step after another, leaning on my cane, until I could ease down onto the sofa. The groan I let out as I took my weight off my leg was nearly orgasmic, and I saw Brooklyn’s lips twitch before he hurried over.
“Did you hurt yourself? Is it bleeding?” He knelt by my feet.
“I don’t think so. I’m fine, just a bit more exercise than my doctor recommended.”
“I texted you to stay away, you and Cheyenne.” Brooklyn’s tone took on a bit of bite.
“You did?” I rolled my ass to one side to dig out my phone. The screen was blank, free of notifications, even after I touched my way in. “I don’t see—” As I spoke, the phone pinged. “1 new message.” The time said, “1 min.” I opened it and sure enough, —Don’t come home…—
I laughed helplessly and turned it for Brooklyn to see. “The risk of counting on technology. Although, Brooklyn?” I met his eyes. “I’d never make you face Harvey alone, and I’d bet Cheyenne wouldn’t either.”
“I wanted you to keep her safe.”
“He had you pinned up against the door. You deserve to be safe too.”
The oldest cop said, “And on that note, we need to take your statement too, Mr. Bjornsson. If there’s a space we can use?”
Brooklyn pushed to his feet and set a hand on my shoulder. “Don’t move, Arthur.” He frowned at the cop. “You can take his statement right here. I’ll go to the kitchen and, um, fetch him an ice pack. Because he was shot, in case you don’t remember, and he’s still healing.”
The cop sat in the armchair and looked at me. “I do remember. Two violent incidents in less than a month, Mr. Bjornsson? Is there a pattern there?” He sounded curious, not accusing, but still, Aaaaargh. No. Pure coincidence.
I took a breath, preparing my answer, and Brooklyn sucked air through clenched teeth before stomping off to the kitchen to fetch me some sweet relief.
CHAPTER 20
BROOKLYN
“She’s settled?” Arthur offered me a small smile. He looked damn good in my bed.
After what happened tonight, we weren’t sleeping apart.
