Tate looked down at the body, the blood, and the knife. “This is going to need an explanation.”
“Yeah, and you’re gonna make it.”
Tate nodded. “I suppose Montoya may have sliced his throat before he left. What happened to Mutt and Jeff out front?”
“Let’s just say they’re sleepin’ it off.”
Tate nodded again and looked back at Nicklaus. “He was an asshole.” Then he nodded to Shannon. “She was as brave as I’ve ever seen, and she didn’t deserve what he did to her.” He looked down at Nicklaus again. “He, on the other hand, deserved exactly what he got.” He looked back at Cole. “You should get her out of here. And take the murder weapon with you.”
Cole grinned, lowering his weapon. “Glad we could work things out. My only regret is I didn’t get to kill him myself. Thanks for your help tonight. I owe you one.”
“Yeah, whatever. Get going before I change my mind.”
*****
Crash lay in bed, Shannon in his arms, tight up against his side. His arms were wrapped around her. He’d brought her back to his place and took her straight into a hot shower. Her body shaking even in the heat of the water. He’d patiently and gently washed every inch of blood from her skin and hair, holding her close as it was all rinsed away. He’d murmured to her reassuringly and soothed her with a gentle mantra of tender words, telling her over and over that she was safe.
Now she lay against him, the tremors still racking her body as withdrawal set in. He stroked her back and head. “Baby, maybe we should get you some help. The hospital or…”
“No! Please, C-Crash. I just want to be here, with you. I just need to be here.”
“Okay, sweetheart. Okay. Whatever you want. But, if it gets too much for you to stand, tell me, all right?”
She nodded against him.
“Shannon, promise?”
“I promise. Talk to me. You know your voice calms me.”
Crash grinned against her head. He stroked his fingers through her hair. “Baby, you scared the shit outta me when I came home and found you gone. Why did you leave?”
“I had to. I couldn’t live with myself if something had happened to Angel.”
“This isn’t gonna work, Shannon, if you don’t trust me enough to handle things and listen to what I tell you.”
“I couldn’t just sit here, knowing I was the cause of everything.”
“Wolf is beating himself up for having let you get away.”
“It wasn’t his fault, Crash. I mixed a sleeping pill in his drink.”
“I’m still gonna beat his ass.”
“Crash.”
“He knows it’s coming, babe. He wouldn’t be a man if he didn’t take the beating.”
“Please don’t.”
“You don’t have a say in it, sweetheart. It’s just the way it is. You don’t let your brother down. No matter what. He knows it, and he’s going to take that beating gladly.”
“Crash, no.”
“Shh. Did I tell you how happy I am you’re home?”
“Is this home, Crash?”