“What?” he asked, his voice gentling when he looked at her. “When did this bastard take advantage of you and why didn’t you tell me?”
She pointed to his clenched fist with her good hand. “That’s why. And he didn’t take advantage of me. It was mutual.”
“He should have damn well used protection!” Mike thundered, his voice raised.
Erin’s embarrassment flew off the charts. “Shh!”
“Quit embarrassing your sister,” Cole said in a more subdued voice. “Not that it’s any of your business, but we did use protection.”
Every time, Erin thought, but knew better than to say that out loud. “Accidents happen,” she said instead.
“Well, I hope he intends to—”
“That’s enough!” Erin used what strength she had left to yell at her brother before collapsing against the hard pillow behind her. “This is between Cole and me. I know you care, and I understand you’re upset, but you need to stand down.”
“Or take it out on me when we’re alone. Back off your sister,” Cole said, sounding more protective than she’d imagined him being.
Then again, she didn’t know how he’d handle things. Considering the way he’d heard the news, so far so good.
“Sam’s on his way, and so is Cara,” Mike said, still obviously seething, but holding it in.
Erin sucked in a breath. “You can tell Cara when you’re alone. I don’t expect you to keep secrets from your wife, but I’d appreciate you letting me tell Sam myself. Same with Mom and Dad, and not until they co
me home.” She pinned Mike with her most serious glare.
“Fine. How’s your arm?” he asked, his voice softening.
“Hurts. I have to see what the doctors will let me take for pain since I’m pregnant.” Before that could get him worked up again, Erin changed the subject. “Have your people found anything on the shooter?”
Mike shook his head. “They’re working on it now, scouring the area. We’re hoping to find the bullet so we can run ballistics. We’re interviewing people who work in the area, and when you’re up to it, I’ll need to talk to you.”
She nodded.
“Any cases you’re working on that scream trouble to you?” Cole asked.
“I—” Erin began.
“Police business, Sanders,” Mike interrupted before she could reply.
She rolled her eyes. “Cole knows what he’s doing. Another set of eyes, ears, and experience might help.”
“He knows what?” Mike asked Erin.
She opened her mouth and closed it again. Her brother was right. Just what kind of experience did she think Cole had, considering how little she knew about him?
“I don’t know,” she admitted. But she’d gone off and defended him like he’d been working for the Secret Service for the last few years.
Her brother and Cole eyed each other warily, as if in possession of some big secret. Erin had seen that look over the years between her two brothers when they wanted her left out of something—for her own good.
“What?!” she half yelled at them.
Cole inclined his head at Mike, obviously giving him permission to reveal it. Whatever it was.
“Your instincts are right,” her brother said through gritted teeth. “Cole knows what he’s doing. He’s been doing undercover work for the NYPD.”
Erin blinked in surprise. Not that her gut feelings about Cole had been on target, but because she hadn’t any idea where he’d been, what he’d done . . . or seen. She still didn’t have any inkling about the details, but with the darkness that surrounded him now being the beginnings of an explanation, she suppressed a shiver.
“When will you be released?” Mike asked, changing the subject from the shooter and from Cole.