I shake my head. Aside from Tyler, I’ve never had people who cared about me that deeply. My parents were older and otherwise occupied with their careers. I was probably a whim or a mistake. They passed before I could ask. Not that I would have.
“Because Tyler’s one of the good guys. You don’t give up on the good guys. And you don’t give up on family. Not if that’s who you truly are.”
I hear what Stone isn’t saying. I’m not Tyler’s family. Despite our marriage, we’re not really together. Every time he focuses on me—what I need—he loses something. His job. His friend. It’s up to me to stop putting him in the position of choosing. Instead, I have to make the right choice. It’s obvious what I have to do, but I’m dreading it. Breaking it off with Tyler is harder than ripping out my own guts. But if I selfishly stay with him—if he keeps coming to my rescue—what will it cost him next?
I can’t be responsible for another disaster. “I understand.”
Stone relaxes back in the driver’s seat as the sun finishes its trek above the horizon. The sky is vivid shades of pink, orange, and red before resuming the beautiful blue the state is known for. I should find it hopeful, but I’m more inclined to believe the sailors’ warning associated with red skies in the morning. A storm is coming.
Stone drives us back to the rounded brick buildings where his team waits to hear about their brother. I follow him back to the ER. Eliot and Cade remain huddled in the same spot. Alex is stretched out, ankles crossed, and snoring softly. Tyler isn’t there. Stone ignores me and sits next to Eliot, who shakes his head at whatever Stone asks him.
I sit near Alex, by myself but visible, before fishing my phone out of my purse.
Me:I need help.
Katherine:What’s going on?
Me:There was an accident. Blake was badly injured. We all came to Colorado Springs, but I’m in the way. Distracting the guys when they need to focus on Blake. And I don’t want to make any phone calls and upset them. I was hoping you could help me get back to Alabaster?
Katherine:Of course. I’ll make the calls. Can you get to the airport?
Me:I can get a rideshare, no problem.
She taps back with a thumbs-up. I stare at the screen for a few minutes before relaxing my arm and letting my cell rest on my leg. I’ll feel the vibration when she texts back. For now, I’ll sit back and wait and stay in plain sight so I don’t piss anyone off again.
I must doze off because the rumble of the phone jolts me awake. I quickly check my messages.
Katherine:You’re booked on a private flight, tentatively taking off in three hours. Go to the private hangar. The pilot will be waiting for you. Gabe’ll pick you up in Aspen. You’ll stay with us.
Me:Thank you. I’ll pay you back.
Katherine:Don’t worry about it for a minute. I’m glad I can help. You’ve done so much for Gabe and me. Consider this a thank you.
Me:I appreciate it. But I can’t stay with you. It would put you at risk.
Katherine:This is Gabe. You’re staying with us. Don’t worry, I know how to play security. We can keep you safe until this asshole is caught. In fact, I have news for Tyler. Is he there?
Me:Not at the moment.
Katherine: Betty’s gone missing. Local, county, and state cops are looking for the man staying at her place. From STL. Betty’s phone was found in her place, along with a lot of blood.
Me: Maybe you should call Tyler with that.
Because if I tell Tyler about crushed phones and blood, there is no way I’ll be getting on the plane.
Katherine sends the pilot’s name, the hangar directions, and the plane tail number just for security. I have my driver’s license so I can prove who I am.
I look up directions from the hospital to the airport and get an idea of what a ride share will cost me. Damn. This is not a short ride. There’s a bus, but Tyler would shit himself if I got on a public bus. I search for a shuttle service and scroll through the results when a shadow crosses the screen.
Tyler stands right behind me. “Going somewhere?”
TWENTY-ONE
Tyler
I climb backinto Amy’s car and set a timer for forty-five minutes on my phone—the flight time between Colorado Springs and Aspen. Gabe will pick her up there. As the private jet lifts off and flies directly over my head, I start the timer and ignore the fact my heart is on the plane with her. I ache with the emptiness. The urgency to get her back in my arms, back in bed, get back inside her, compels me to drive straight to Alabaster and then take her somewhere we’ll never be found. But I can’t leave my team. And I shouldn’t let Amy leave.
Our argument rings in my ears. “I’m in the way, a distraction when you need to focus on your team,” she said. I disagreed, though she wasn’t wrong. But it’s temporary. I’ll get back to Alabaster as soon as Blake is stabilized and Eliot and Cade have what they need. It sounds logical, but my heart tells me I’m a bastard for letting her out of my sight.
