Page 98 of Zero Divergence

“We’ll get the extra ATV back,” Beecham said. “You want me to radio for an ambulance to meet you?”

“Nah,” Royce said. “Asshole can drive me. Thanks again, Sheriff.”

Beecham nodded. “Any time. Take care, fellas.”

Royce didn’t say much when he followed Sawyer to the ATV. Royce climbed up behind Sawyer, slipping his arms around his waist to hold on. “So, hey. Is it just me, or did you pick up on some interesting vibes between Mendoza and Beecham?”

“Don’t start,” Sawyer said, shaking his head. He started the ATV, then said, “Hold on tight.”

“Planned on it,” Royce yelled over the engine.

Sawyer drove them carefully out of the woods. Mendoza had already radioed their team, and everyone was there to greet them when they drove out to the original rendezvous point at the logging road.

Royce exchanged hugs and assured everyone he was fine. He insisted they all go home, but Blue, Ky, and Holly went with them to the nearest hospital so Royce could get treatment.

“I don’t suppose we can keep this a secret from Jace,” Royce asked Holly.

“No fucking way,” she replied.

“My gun and shoulder holster should be in the glove box of my car back at the cabin,” Royce said.

“Beecham will make sure you get them back,” Sawyer assured him. “Your car too.”

“You won’t believe what that crazy woman did to my best girl,” Royce groused.

Sawyer reached over and linked their hands. “I’m more worried about what she did to my best guy.”

“I’m fine.” Then Royce told them about the envelope of evidence Vivian Gross had sent to his house. “I assume it’s in the car, unless Bonita threw it out a window.”

“Let’s just get you taken care of right now,” Blue said, patting Royce’s shoulder.

The hospital got Royce back into a triage room relatively quickly and assessed his injuries. Since none of them were life threatening, the mood relaxed and the nurses allowed Blue, Ky, Holly, and now Jace to join Sawyer and Royce back in the tiny room. Sawyer loved them dearly, but he wanted five minutes alone with his guy. He sent his mom a quick message letting her know Royce was okay. She’d wanted to jump in the car and head straight over, but he talked her out of it.

“Hey,” Royce said softly, scooting over farther, making more room for Sawyer. “You know what I could really use right now?” Everyone in the room snorted. “Not that, or at least not with all of you in here,” he said, shaking his head. “Evangeline’s cooking.”

“I promise you my mom will fuss, fawn, and feed you,” Sawyer said.

“I think it’s time you guys consider looking for other jobs,” Jace said abruptly.

“This is who we are, and this is what we do,” Royce answered.

Jace looked like he had a lot more to say, but his nurse returned and started putting Humpty Dumpty back together again.

It was well past dinner by the time the staff cleaned and closed Royce’s head wound, pulled the splinters out of his face, and treated the abrasions on his wrist and various cuts all over his body. Sawyer called his mom to let her know they were heading home.

“Be here tomorrow by four thirty for dinner. Do not try to hog him all to yourself, Sawyer.”

“Cougar,” Sawyer groused after she hung up on him.

As much as Sawyer wished he could have a lazy Sunday at home with Royce, he knew they’d spend most of it at the station writing reports and wrapping up the case as best they could for Babineaux.

Holly rode home with Jace, so after dropping Ky and Blue off at the precinct, they climbed in Sawyer’s car and headed home.

“I had a chance to kill him.” By Royce’s scathing tone, Sawyer knew he was referring to Humphries.

“But you didn’t,” Sawyer countered.

Royce breathed deeply. “I wanted to.”