Page 63 of Trapped (Sheppard & Sons Investigations #6)

Nathan

“ S o, I take it you two figured out your shit?” Kroup asked with a knowing smirk.

“I’m marrying that woman.” My stupidly big smile pulled at my scar. I’d spent the last year dreaming about Ashley, missing a future we never got to explore. No way was I letting her out of my grasp a second time.

“Does she know?” Kroup laughed.

I laughed with him. “Yeah, she even agreed.”

“Good for you.”

“Thanks, man,” I said, wishing I had a stronger word. “I couldn’t have saved her without you. And the entire team.”

“You finally done being a lone wolf?”

I nodded.

“Good, it never suited you. You’re meant to lead a pack.”

“Speaking of packs. How’s Havoc?”

“He needed a few stitches, but luckily the injury looked worse than it was. He’s soaking up all the love and attention the vet techs are giving him. I’ll take him home in the morning.”

“How’s everyone else?”

“Ashley didn’t tell you?”

“Other things got in the way.” I’d smiled more in this stupid hospital bed, with stitches holding my artery together, than I had in the last year.

“It’s good to see you happy. You deserve it.”

“It feels good.”

Kroup summarized. “John and Janerek are staying the night. Mary and Blake refuse to leave. The doc discharged the youngest Sheppard after stitching him up. He’s pissed it’s fucking up his ink.” He laughed. Jay was like us; if an injury wasn’t life-threatening, we considered it an annoyance.

“How bad is John’s injury?”

“The knife missed his lung, but it tore him up. Doc stitched up his muscles, so he’ll be on desk duty for a while, but he’ll make a full recovery.”

Thank God.

“Janerek understated the severity of his graze; the doc used skin from his ass to close the wound. Luckily, the damage to his muscle isn’t too severe.”

I listened, grateful no one had suffered life-altering injuries.

“You found yourself one hell of a team.”

“Yeah.” I nodded. “Thanks for that.” He’d suggested I apply for the job.

“I’m glad it worked out.”

“And thanks for saving my ass.”

“Anytime, but maybe not anytime soon.” He laughed.

“Amen to that, brother.”

He shook my hand. “If you’re good, I’m taking off. Call me when they release you.”

“Will do. Can you send Ashley back in?” I already miss her.

“Dude, you’ve got it bad.”

God help me, I did, and I couldn’t wait to get out of the hospital so I could finally show her.