Page 83 of Cowboy Heat

He’s favoring his leg.

“We’re both going to find a spot, and I’m going to call for help,” I say, going around to take his left side. I put my arm around his waist.

He doesn’t fight the move.

Which scares me more.

“You can’t call the department,” he says, voice notably shallower. “Grant either works with the sheriff or he’s done something to him. We can’t know which it is yet or if the rest—the rest of the department is caught up with him.”

I haven’t had the brain space to think on that, but he’s right. Beau only called the sheriff’s department before immediately being transferred to Sheriff Roland. Twenty minutes later, and Grant was the only one to show up.

“Let’s worry about getting you down before we talk about what to do,” I respond. I’m looking at the stairs and feeling Beau’s weight shift over to me.

He’s too tall. Too broad and heavy. There’s no way I can get him upstairs without chancing further injury.

Especially not after what he says next.

“Kissy, I’m about to pass out. I need you to call Lee. He— He’ll help you.” He’s so matter-of-fact about it that I think he’s kidding.

But then he says one last thing, and a cold chill goes through me fast.

“I’m sorry.”

Beau’s weight becomes a blanket. A blanket I sure as heck can’t keep up without his help.

It’s all I can do to slow the fall to the floor with my own body.

A second later, we’re both on the hardwood at the bottom of the stairs and Beau’s eyes are closed tight.

“Beau?”

He doesn’t make one move.

I use my position under him to awkwardly push him onto his side.

He flops onto his back right after.

I hear the strangled noise of worry that comes out of my throat at the sudden move. “Beau?” I try again.

He doesn’t answer.

I check his breathing and for a pulse against his neck. There’s a cold sweat across his skin. “Dammit, Beau!”

I didn’t mean to cuss him, but I’m all sorts of nervous.

I aim to call Mimi to get some medical advice but stay my hand from doing such.

Mimi would call in help.

What if it was the wrong kind?

What if they, whoever they were, go after her for knowing?

I can’t do that.

I go for Beau’s phone instead. Maybe his brother is law enforcement too?

If we survive this, I’m definitely going to make Beau tell me more about himself, I decide.