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“But by horse, it’s a quick ride,” Wade answered.

Lyric pressed her cheek to Mason’s chest. “I needed backup, so I called them to help right after I called Hawk to get to Nick. I didn’t have his number or know how to reach him. Going through the FBI seemed like it would take forever, so I looked up Gunn Brothers Distillery and called Hawk.”

Nick held Rick against the wall by the front door. “Hawk is probably going nuts waiting to hear back.” Nick notched his chin toward Mason. “You’re bleeding.”

Mason felt the blood on his neck. “Asshole clocked me with a log.”

“That’s twice in a matter of weeks.” Nick shook his head. “You’re losing your stealth skills.”

Mason pointed to Rick’s bare feet. “He planned to sneak up on me.”

Rick struggled against Nick’s hold but didn’t get anywhere. “I needed her to listen to me.”

“A phone call would have done it,” Lyric snapped. “I’ve given you every opportunity to do the right thing, and every time you’ve mucked it up because you only care about what you want.”

Rick hung his head. “Well, I’m fucked now. I hope you’re happy.”

She would be. Mason would make sure of that.

But his sweet Lyric went to Rick and showed her heart yet again to someone who didn’t deserve it. “It will make me very happy if you use this experience to see that what you’re doing isn’t working and you need to learn a better way to interact with people, especially women. Otherwise, you’ll never have the kind of relationship you seem to want. You can’t make people do what you want them to do. You can’t make them feel something they don’t. You have to allow them to be who they are.”

“I’ve lost everything.”

“You have a chance to be better and have better.”She stepped back from him. “I’m starting a new chapter in my life with someone I love. You need to start your own. Don’t come back here.”

Nick walked him out the door. “You’re going to need a lawyer. Kidnapping and assaulting a federal agent... Not good, man.”

Mason hoped that was the last he’d see of Rick. Maybe not, if the case went to court.

Lyric stepped behind him and gently brushed her fingers over his hair, checking out the scrapes and goose-egg knot on his skull. “You need to get checked out at the hospital.”

“I’m fine.”

“Listen to her, son,” Wade admonished. “You were unconscious for a few minutes.”

Mason stared down into Lyric’s worried gaze. “I hate that we spend so much of our time together at the hospital.”

She chuckled. “As long as you’re okay, where we are doesn’t matter.”

He could think of one place he’d rather be with her. In bed. Because right now, he was so damn happy she didn’t get hurt or killed he wanted to spend the next hour or more holding her, touching her, loving her.

“Later,” she whispered, reading his mind.

Nick came back in. “Rick is secure. I’ll get him booked. I’ll need all of you to write up your official statements about what happened here today. Email them to me.” Nick handed Robin his card, then gave one to Lyric. “Anytime, anywhere, anything you need, I’m there. No matter what. My cell number is on the back. Use it.” Nick bear-hugged Mason. “I love her, man. She came through for you in a big way today. Keep her, or I’m taking her.”

“I thought you had a thing for Aria?”

Nick released him and glanced at Lyric. “I wouldn’t mind you putting in a good word for me with her.”

Lyric grinned. “I think she’s already noticed my hot boyfriend has a hot brother.”

Nick kissed her on the cheek. “I really like you.” And then he left.

Mason shook his head. “I need to call Hawk, let him know I’m okay.”

“We’ll leave you to it,” Wade said. “Call us later and let us know what the doctor says about that head injury.”

Mason took the hint that he wasn’t getting out of another hospital visit. Lyric probably wouldn’t let him sweet-talk her out of it, anyway. She cared too much, loved him too much to take a chance on his well-being.