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She’d stayed with the twins while Sawyer had done his deputy thing. She’d liked watching him work, and he was clearly good at it. Around her, people injured by the glass had been treated by the paramedics. She’d tried to help keep some of the injured calm, and had some smears of blood on her dress.
From people who’d been hurt because of her.
This was her fault.
The shooter was after her.
“Hey, come on, you’re tired,” Sawyer said, jolting her back to the present.
“Someone tried to kill me.Again. I just don’t understand. I barely heard anything at Reuben’s. I don’t even understand what I heard—” her voice cracked. “People could’ve died tonight.”
“Hollis—”
She grabbed the skirt of her dress, holding up a stain. “People were bleeding and hurt.”
“Hold it together, Hollis. You’re strong.Noneof this is your fault. You’re the victim here. Hold it together until I can work out who’s behind this and stop them.” His tone was dark.
God. Sawyer had run after the shooter. What if he’d gotten shot or killed?
Nausea rose in her throat, and she pushed open the SUV door and stumbled out. She sucked in the night air.
“Hollis?”
Strong arms curled around her, and she leaned into him. He made her feel safe. Cared for.
“Let’s get inside.” He took her hand and tugged her toward the cottage.
It was a standard Hawaiian cottage, painted green with white trim. Neatly trimmed bushes formed the landscaping around the building, and there was a plain, but sturdy, wooden deck. It was simple, but solid and cute.
He led her inside. The inside matched the outside. It was definitely a man’s domain, but neat and tidy. She figured it was the military training.
He nudged her onto a leather sofa that was so comfy it swallowed her up. There was a matching armchair, and a huge TV was mounted to the opposite wall. That didn’t surprise her. She was pretty sure the Y chromosome required you to need the biggest TV you could find.
“It’s time we got more intel.” His jaw was tight as he yanked his phone out. Then he cursed.
“What is it?” she asked.
“I’ve got eleven missed calls from Vander.” He put the phone to his ear. “Vander.” He paused. “A gunman shot at Hollis in a crowded restaurant tonight. It was a fucking mess.” A pause. “She’s fine. No one else was hurt badly, just minor injuries.” Sawyer pressed a hand to the back of his neck. “What?”
The sharp tone made Hollis jerk.What now?
“Okay.” He sat beside her and put the phone on the coffee table.
Her belly tied itself in knots.
“It’s on speaker,” he said.
“Hollis, I’m Vander Norcross,” a deep, authoritative voice said.
He sounded like a man who was used to having his orders followed. She cleared her throat. “Hi. I’ve heard of you. Your company has a good reputation.”
“I’m sorry to be talking under these circumstances.”
“I’m sorry these circumstances even exist.”
Sawyer took her hand and squeezed.
“So, Sawyer told you that we’re looking into Michael Reuben.”