“He’ll pull through,” Logan finally said with a nod. He sounded as if he was trying to convince himself by saying it aloud. His eyes went past us toward the entrance of the waiting room.
Every one of us turned and I heard Kat and Emily both whisper, “Vic.”
Vic I’d never met and he wasn’t just a guy. He was a tall, built machine who currently wore a fierce scowl with narrowed dark eyes that matched his dark skin. He wore black cargo pants with combat boots and a vest. I knew what was hidden in all the pockets and behind the vest, weapons. I suspected if a cop took a look at him, they’d know, too, but I was betting they wouldn’t touch him. Not only was the guy super intimidating, but there was no question he was one of Deck’s men. And Deck’s men weren’t touched by the cops.
This was the guy who’d killed Olaf. Who extracted information before he’d killed him. And I knew whatever he did to Olaf wasn’t a friendly chat.
Luke and Roman walked over to him and spoke, but Vic’s eyes were on me. I stiffened. Crisis did, too. Luke was still talking, and scary new guy didn’t even look like he was paying attention as he stared at me.
I put my hand on the cold hard metal of my gun sitting in my pocket. When they made their way toward us, I raised my chin because no matter how I looked or felt, I wanted to appear unaffected.
Crisis stood with his arm around my waist.
“Haven.” He didn’t offer his hand, which wasn’t really surprising. I realized now that he was closer that he had beautiful russet-color skin and defined features with thick plush lips.
Vic held up the picture. “Luke said a Kevin Delaney spoke to a girl about you.”
I nodded.
“Fuck,” Crisis muttered next to my ear.
Vic put the photo back into his vest pocket. His tone hardened. “He’s in custody.”
Ream was beside us, as was everyone else.
Logan questioned, “It’s not illegal for him to spill info to some chick.”
Vic kept his eyes on me. “Not police. He’s in my custody.”
Oh, shit.
“He saw whoever did this. Whoever spread the story about you and informed the reporters.” And I suspected he’d get them anyway he could.
Crisis’ fingers dug into my hip, his body was tense. When I glanced up at him, I saw the muscles in his jaw throbbing and his eyes lost that easy casual laughter. They were hard and narrowed.
I knew he wouldn’t explode or go on a rampage. He was angry that Kevin, a guy who had gone to karaoke with us, who ate lunch with me, had sold information about me. But, the steadiness in Crisis was still there and he’d be the rock I needed him to be just like when I’d told him all the bad shit that had happened to me.
“Police are still investigating the crash, but the truck that hit you didn’t stay at the scene and several witnesses claimed there was no license plate, and they saw one person in the car. Disguised, but three people swear it was a woman.”
“It’s that fuckin’ chick,” Ream shouted.
Vic shifted his weight and a dried clump of mud fell off the bottom of one of his combat boots. “We’ll start with Kevin. We’ll know within the hour if it was Tammy.”
Crisis spoke, “And if it’s not?”
“Don’t think it is. I reviewed her profile and everything you’ve given me. Her posts online and the text messages don’t match. She’s infatuated, but nonthreatening. The texts are crude and are directed toward Haven. Jealousy. Revenge.”
“But there is nothing to be jealous of,” I said.
“You’re beautiful and dating a rock star,” Vic stated.
“That’s not enough to . . .” I shut up because Vic wasn’t done and despite my ability to encase myself in ice, he was a guy who could flick his baby finger and make it shatter.
It was the first time I saw Vic’s expression change. The corners of his mouth drew down to match his lowered brows as he met my eyes, then he moved in and completely surprised me as he ran his hand over the top of my head. It was a brief show of affection before he turned his attention back to Luke. “They can wait here until Kite’s condition improves, then lock down at the farm.”
Luke nodded then Vic turned and left. There was no good-bye or nod, nothing. He just strode out the hospital doors.
THE DOCTOR GAVE us a report two hours later. Kite was awake and going to be okay. Crisis, Ream and Logan went to see him with Luke accompanying them. Roman stayed with Emily, Kat and me in the waiting room.
When I looked out the window this time, there were hundreds of people outside. Bouquets of flowers littered the area with lit candles, their flames dancing in the light breeze. I stared, stunned at the sight.
“Fans,” Emily said, coming up beside me. “News of an accident travels fast when you’re in a popular rock band.”
God, my brother was right. They had good fans, people who cared. It was heart-warming to know they were here showing their support for Kite. For the band.
“Jolie’s on her way.” The publicist who Crisis had talked about. “Logan will make a statement. Let them know how Kite’s doing.”
“And about me,” I said it more to myself than to her because they would have to say something about the story.
“Don’t know,” Emily said, then put her hand on my arm. “I know you must feel . . . invaded, especially after everything you’ve been through. But these men, our men, they will do anything to protect us.” I met her eyes and there was no pity, instead a solid strength and resolve. “Anything.”
“Are any of you Haven?” a nurse called from the nursing station, holding up a phone as she looked at Kat, Emily and I. “Phone call.”
Roman straightened, pushing away from the wall he’d been leaning against and went to the nurse and held his hand out for the phone. She didn’t want to give it to him at first, but quickly gave in when he whispered something to her and her face blanched.