For the first time, I have no idea what I’m supposed to do. I hold all of the responsibility and none of the ability to take action. When I turned in Enzo Sr., I knew what had to be done. I was prepared to testify. I’ve always been in control. And while it looked like everything was coming together—the inn remodel, my life in Alabaster, my relationship with Tyler—one single wrong move caused it to unravel completely. One fatal error. Except Blake’s paying the price, and only God can help him now.
The door bangs open. Lug-sole booted legs stop right at my feet. I look up to find Stone glaring down at me. He grips my biceps and lifts me from the floor. “Clean your face.”
I do as he says because I don’t have a reason not to. I don’t want to fight with anyone—especially Stone.
“Were you hiding from me?”
Maybe. “Alex knew where I went.”
“Come on. We’re going for a drive.”
NINETEEN
Tyler
As soon aswe finish questioning the doctor, I huddle up with Eliot and Cade. They look like they were down in the canyon under the car that held Blake. “I’m not going to make light of the situation. From what the doctor said, he’s in bad shape. But we have some positives going for us. He’s relatively young, in great shape, and he has a lot to live for and tons of support.”
Eliot nods, but he might be communicating with a ghost for all he’s connecting.
Cade, rocking back and forth slightly, stares at me. “I need to see him.”
I repeat what the doc said. “As soon as he’s out of recovery and in a bed in ICU, we can go in one at a time.”
“I’m not leaving this hospital until he does.” Cade’s tone is resolute, not that I would consider arguing with him.
“Of course not. There are plenty of us to make sure all the bases are covered.” I glance around. Alex is sitting alone. Wait. Where the fuck is Amy? If anything’s happened… I wasn’t paying attention. Was Alex? Did she get grabbed? “I’ll be right back,” I promise Eliot. I speak quietly when I ask Alex where Amy is, fighting the urge to scream and accuse him of what I’ve been doing—neglecting her.
“Stone took her to get some air.”
The iron bands around my chest release one notch. Stone has the skills from his time in the military to keep her safe. He’s aware of how much she means to me. I release the first breath since I noticed her missing. “Is she okay?”
“Are any of us?”
I settle in the empty seat next to Alex. “No, but we have to be for Blake.”
“Not sure Eliot and Cade can be. Those guys do everything together. Their business…everything.”
Their business, their lives, even women.
“If Blake dies or is paralyzed, dude. I mean, not that being paralyzed is a deal breaker.” Alex drags a hand over his mouth. “But it’s a whole different rodeo. You know?”
“I do.”
“The thing is, he’s going to need serious rehab and a different living situation. Accessible. I’ve done those renovations and know what goes into it. But a reno can only go so far. Better to design and build the space right from the get-go.”
“The Sunflower doesn’t have any ground-floor bedrooms.” For whatever reason, I can only imagine Blake returning to the place we’ve been calling home. “The only bath is that half off the kitchen.” Blake would need an elevator.
“You see my point. If we’re staying out here like Stone’s mentioned—”
The possibility sends a tiny flare of hope through me. “Stone said something about staying in Colorado?”
“Just in passing, before all this happened. I think he likes it out here. I know I do. I’ve hated living in St. Louis since the day I stepped off the bus.” Alex wipes his palms on his jeans and arches his back. “Whole lot more room to breathe. Better air too. I can get construction work anywhere. And with all these high-dollar digs nearby, there has to be security jobs.”
“I don’t think Eliot or Cade are planning to work at all until Blake is back on his feet. Or at least as healed as he can get.” If Blake dies… My guts twist. I can’t even wrap my mind around that scenario.
“Need to at least think about how that’s gonna work if he’s in a chair. Not that we were all planning to live with you and Amy forever.” Alex nudges me with his shoulder.
“Thank God for that.” I try to make it sound light, but I’m not quite ready to joke around.
