Colton's Secret Bodyguard

“What?” Rylan jerked, then groaned as bolts of agony shot through him.

“Now see what you’ve done?” Bree was like a tiger protecting her cub. She smoothed Rylan’s hair back from his face. “As you can see, I’m fine. I stabbed him in the eye with a syringe.”

“She did,” Trey confirmed. “While it’s not the action I’d have recommended, it worked. My kid sister faced the bad guy and won.”

Rylan relaxed slightly. While he didn’t like the idea that Bree had been in danger while he was under anesthetic and helpless to protect her, he was glad David had finally been beaten. And if he’d been injured in the process—by Bree, of all people—well, karma had a habit of putting things right in the end.

“When it comes to the emails, David denies all knowledge of any of them, and insists he knows nothing about this Lone Wolf person,” Trey continued. “As for the stockpile of weapons, he alternates between saying he found them, or that they were left in his apartment by a friend. Anyway, going back a few steps... I headed toward the Diamond as soon as I knew David was still on the loose. That reminds me. How come you were already there, Rylan?”

Rylan coughed. The action sent fresh sparks of agony ricocheting through him, and he took a minute to get his breath. “There was someone I needed to talk to.” He squeezed Bree’s fingers. “I found your picture.”

Her gaze was the best painkiller. “So that was what it took to make you see sense? A rough sketch that I did in half an hour?”

Ignoring the pain, he leaned closer. “Maybe that was the excuse I needed to come after you.”

“If we can just focus for a bit longer? Because I think that doctor will throw me out once he gets here.” Trey forced their attention back to him. “So, I figured David had laid his plans carefully and he would be watching the gallery, and Bree’s apartment, for signs of her return. Sure enough, he made his move as soon as she was out in the open.”

Bree shuddered. “If Rylan hadn’t been there...”

“I was there. That’s all that matters.”

“David was preparing to fire more shots when we broke into his apartment. He knows he’s facing life imprisonment for attempted murder, but he’s adamant he doesn’t have an accomplice.” Trey shrugged. “It makes me wonder if you were right, Rylan. Was there ever another person or does he have multiple personalities?”

“If David doesn’t talk, we may never know,” Rylan said. “Even if Lone Wolf exists, he can slink away now and never be caught.”

“Is it wrong to just be very glad that David is going to jail?” Bree asked. “To finally feel that we can get on with our lives without constantly looking over our shoulders?”

“I don’t think I’ll be looking over my shoulder any time soon.” Rylan winced at the thought. “But I know what you mean.”

“Still here, Sheriff?” A voice from the doorway made Trey roll his eyes. “I thought I asked you not to tire my patient.”

“Just leaving, Doctor.” Trey got to his feet. “Can I drive you home, Bree?”

“No, thank you.” She raised Rylan’s hand to her lips. “I’m not going anywhere for a very long time.”

Chapter 19

Bree watched Rylan as he endured the doctor’s poking and prodding. Although his expression didn’t change, the lines of pain were etched deeper, and his complexion grew gradually paler. By the time he lay back on the pillows, his face was bathed in sweat and the dark circles beneath his eyes stood out like bruises.

“Will I lose any of the movement in this arm?” he asked. Although his voice was calm, Bree could tell how much it cost him to ask the question.

“I trust not.” The doctor pursed his lips. “The bullet passed straight through, fracturing the shoulder joint and causing considerable soft tissue damage. Those issues were addressed in surgery. We also dealt with injuries to the nerve structures that supply to the upper body, arms and hands. What follows now will be a lengthy period of rehabilitation. I can’t rule out further surgery, but I’m hopeful that it won’t be necessary.”