Page 163

“What about the rest of your team?”
“One other injury. Another slice with a knife. It wasn’t bad.”
“Uh huh. Tell me more about your injury. How many stitches are we talking, bro?”
“Fifty.”
Sebastian whistled. “Holy cow, Seth.”
“I’ll be fine in a few days.”
“More like weeks with that many stitches.”
“Listen, I’m introducing Teagan to Mom and Dad tomorrow night. We’re having dinner at their house. Think you and your family can come?”
“We’ll be there. Have you talked to Oliver yet?”
“He’s next on the list.”
“I’ll call him. We’ll be there and expect every detail once the kids are occupied with a movie. Hear me?”
“Yeah, yeah. I hear you.”
“Just tell me one thing.”
“What?”
“Who took out the sniper?”
He glanced at Teagan. She wrinkled her nose, but nodded. “Teagan. That information is not to leave the family for any reason, bro.”
“I understand. Is she listening?”
“I’m here,” Teagan said.
“Excellent shot, lady. Too bad you’re not a cop. You’d be a shoe in for SWAT. Whoever your instructor was must be a world-class trainer.”
She laughed. “He is. I’ll pass along the compliment next time I talk to him.”
“Watch your back in town, Seth. Word is the cops in your house are hot under the collar.”
“Burnett inferred as much.”
“Love you, Seth. See you tomorrow.” Sebastian ended the call.
At the four-hour mark, Teagan pulled into a gas station. After buying coffee, Seth slid behind the wheel and drove the next leg of the journey. Noah took the third leg and Violet the last hours of the drive. Although Seth hadn’t expected his injury to hinder his driving, he was glad Noah and Violet insisted on letting Riley drive Violet’s SUV back to Tennessee.
At 5:00 the next morning, they unloaded Teagan’s SUV after Riley dropped off Violet’s vehicle. Seth turned to Noah and Violet. “I know you’re exhausted. Stay here and catch some sleep.” The corner of his lips curved upward. “You can go home in a few hours.”
“Fine with me.” Noah looked at Violet. “You game?”
“Point me to a bed.”
At noon, the four of them woke to the sound of someone puttering in the kitchen. A moment later, the door closed, and all was quiet again.
Seth shoved his feet into his tactical boots, palmed his weapon, and silently made his way to the kitchen with Noah a step behind him.
He stared at the abundance of food waiting on the kitchen counter. Seth holstered his weapon and picked up the note on the stove. He glanced at Noah. “Mom. She knew we’d still be asleep after driving all night.”