Page 84 of Vain

The last thing I wanted to do was leave her, but I need to make these calls and see if the media have landed yet. I’m relieved to find it quiet outside. The news stations obviously haven’t figured out which hospital she’s at yet, but it’s only a matter of time.

I call Greyson first, knowing he’ll share the news with Marley. I can tell by his sleep-filled voice that I’ve woken him up, but I know he’d have been pissed hearing what happened on the news.

Once I’m done with him, I call Banner back as I spot the coffee shop up ahead. Where Greyson sounded half asleep, Banner sounds like he’s on a cocktail of coffee and Red Bull.

“We saw the news. Not sure if they arrested him or not, but at the moment, he’s just a person of interest, and you know how that goes.”

He sighs. “I know, but even the basic amount of police work will have them putting Daniel’s car at the scene. I’ve found it on multiple traffic cams, including the one when it plows into the side of your truck.”

“You get a clear shot of Daniel?”

“Unfortunately, no. The windows are tinted, so it’s impossible to tell. Pretty sure it’s not legal to have them tinted that dark, but I suppose it might vary from state to state.”

“Alright, well, it’s better than nothing. We have the car, a motive, and a previous history of shitty behavior.”

“I have feelers out. If I hear anything, I’ll let you know. I’ve already dug deep into his business. There have been a couple of minor infractions, but nothing overly concerning. I did find a direct payment source from Matilda’s mother’s account to Daniel’s personal one.”

“I don’t even want to know how you found that out.”

“Good thought, plausible deniability and all that. Listen, I need to tell you something else. And before you lose your shit, orders came from the boss man himself.”

I frown. “Okay, what’s going on?”

He blows out a sharp breath. “You weren’t the only one involved in a shootout.”

“What?”

“Fucking Baylor the sliming motherfucker. He had his goons beat up Blake’s grandmother.”

“Is she okay?”

“She was flirting with the paramedics the last I heard, so yes. However, her getting attacked was a distraction. Long story short, Blake’s pad got set on fire, Baylor killed Callie’s mom, Callie ended up back in the hospital. She’s fine by the way, pregnant, but fine. Oh, and Marcus got shot in the leg.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose as I try to remain calm, but I feel it fraying by the second.

“You’re thinking about punching me, aren’t you?”

“And they say you’re not smart.”

“Hey, fuck you.”

I shake my head, trying to clear the mass of thoughts threatening to make my head explode. “Is Marcus okay?”

“He had to have surgery to remove the bullet, but yeah, he’s good too.”

“You guys need me to come back?”

“No. That’s why Blake didn’t want us to say anything. He knew you’d drop everything and run home, but that would have just provided Baylor with an extra target and would have put Matilda in his orbit. The last thing that woman needs is Christian fucking Baylor causing shit too.”

“But he’s dead now?”

“Yeah, and all the good guys survived. The threat has been neutralized here, so no need to run home just yet. Besides, it sounds like your girl needs you now more than ever.”

“It’s crazy, Banner, but if anything, I’m the one who needs her.”

“Yeah, I get it,” he says gently, and I know he does. Before I can say anything else, he changes the subject. “So did Arlo’s friend make it there?”

“She did.”