Page 65 of Freeing Denver

“I’m on my way.”

I place my phone down and cup Ronan’s cheek, his stubble tickling my palm. Finn’s nephew. The head of the family. The man who will rule by Colt’s side until we leave.

My friend.

“Hey,” I whisper, my smile wide.

He places his hand over mine. “Hey, Deluxe.”

Sebastian is still checkingRonan’s vitals when Colt gets home. He barrels through the door, his smile almost cracking his face as he stands by my chair.

“You fucker,” he says. “How are you feeling?”

“Like someone dropped several trucks on me,” Ronan croaks.

“Really? You look fantastic.”

He laughs weakly. “Where’s everyone else?”

“I’m here,” Alistair says from the doorway. Colt must have put aside the argument to call him. “You look like shit.”

“Thanks a lot,” Ronan says.

Colt says, “JJ and Taf are on their way over. Your mom is, too. Danielle is in San Francisco, but she’s going to fly home.”

Ronan winces slightly as he adjusts his position. “Why is she there?”

Oh, God. We have to tell him that Finn, Wilder, and Alison are gone. Colt and Sebastian exchange looks, and the subtle shake of Sebastian’s head goes unnoticed by Ronan.

Another thing that can wait.

“She was visiting friends,” I say.

“Tell me what I’ve missed,” Ronan says, even though he looks close to falling asleep.

Colt takes his friend’s hand. “That can wait. You’re gonna feel rough as shit for a few weeks. Focus on getting better.”

Ronan nods, closing his eyes. His breathing evens out quickly, and Colt gestures at me and Alistair to follow him out of the room. The hallway is dark, and the tension is taut in the small space as I look between the two friends.

“Spider’s driver is being delivered to New York tomorrow,” Colt says to Alistair. “I’m going to get what information out of him that I can. I just thought you should know.”

Alistair nods stiffly. “Okay.”

“And anytime you want to apologize for insinuating Denver almost fucked Vince, feel free.”

My eyes widen. “Colt.”

“Anytime you feel like apologizing for accusing me of sending that footage, I’m all fucking ears,” Alistair hits back, keeping his voice as low as he can. “We’ve been friends for two decades. I can’t believe you’d even think I’d do that.”

“Well,” I whisper. “To be fair, you really don’t like me.”

“But I love him,” Alistair snaps. “You’re my brother, Colt. I don’t like Denver, but I wouldn’t send her to fucking jail, and fuck you for thinking I would.”

He walks away, disappearing down the stairs, and I let my head drop back. I’m the first person to admit that I’m stubborn, but this is ridiculous. I expect Colt to go after him, but he remains in place, his expression thunderous.

“You’re just gonna stand there?” I whisper.

He steps close, eyes wide. “You’re taking his side?”