by Lexie Davis
“I don’t know why they stopped at the airport, but it needs to be checked out.”
“I’m on it. We have units galore down there. Have you found Warren?”
“I’m following the limo. I think she’s inside.” Ryder watched as a man leaned out of the window and pointed a gun at him. “Oh, crap. They’re shooting at me.”
Ryder dropped his phone and swerved to the other lane as a bullet nicked his front bumper. The gunman switched positions, shooting out the back window and shattering the glass in Ryder’s windshield. Ryder cursed as he let up off the gas. He knocked the broken glass away and steered the SUV close enough to bump the rear end of the limo. The limo swerved.
Like a horror movie playing before his eyes, the driver lost control and started to skid sideways on the highway. The back end of the limo hit another car as the driver tried switching lanes. The second wreck flipped the car, sending the long stretch on its side. Ryder slammed on his brakes, stopping right behind the limo. He grabbed his gun and ripped off the sling. Sirens sounded at a distance as he exited the SUV, gun drawn and pointed at the vehicle.
As he approached, the driver of the limo crawled halfway out of the car and spotted Ryder. He immediately started screaming, “Don’t shoot.”
The man looked like the valet he talked to in the weeks prior. Ryder frowned, narrowing his eyes as the man coughed, blood running down his face. He glanced to the side, seeing no other movements.
“Get out,” Ryder said as he pointed the gun at the valet. The driver obeyed and crawled the rest of the way out. “Who’s in the back?”
The valet hesitated. “Levi and the lady detective.”
“Where’s Stevens?” Ryder yelled.
“The airport. He had me drop him off there. He and Mr. Holmes traded places.”
Ryder motioned for him to walk around the limo to the other side. As he looked down, he saw Levi, trapped beneath the car, unconscious. “Open the door. Tell me if she’s okay.”
The driver opened the left door and peeked inside. “She’s still breathing.”
“Is she conscious?”
The driver peeked in again. “Yeah. Miss, are you okay?”
Sirens wailed, stopping when they came to the scene. Ryder finally lowered his gun when an officer took Perez into custody. He pointed to the other side of the limo where Levi lay. Ryder stuffed the gun in his jeans and ran around the back of the limo. Blake lay perfectly still, staring up at him. Ryder couldn’t breathe. He crawled inside to retrieve Blake from the mess.
“Are you okay?” He scooped her into his arms, forgetting about his hurt arm, and held her close. Pain shot down the entire length of his left arm, nearly blinding him.
“I’m fine.” She hugged his neck. “I’m so glad you’re okay. The explosion scared me to death.”
“Yeah, well, loosing you didn’t do my blood pressure any favors either.” He carried her to an awaiting gurney and sat her down. A paramedic stood beside them, ready to examine her injuries. “Transport her to Fairview. I’ll be there when I get this cleaned up.”
“No. I’m fine.” She grabbed his wrist. “I don’t want to go to the hospital.”
“You’re going to get checked out.” Ryder heard someone shouting his name, and he turned around. “Lieutenant. Stevens got out at the airport.”
“We got him. Security kept him in custody until my men arrived.” He glanced over at Blake. “Warren, I must say it is a surprise to see you here.”
Blake cringed. “Can you wait to yell at me, sir? I hit my head on the window, and I kind of have a headache.”
Lou shook his head. “Both of you are free to go for now. I’ll clean up the mess.”
They loaded Blake into the back of an ambulance. Ryder climbed in beside her and held her hand. He didn’t say anything until the medics took her vitals and announced she would be fine.
“You scared me to death. I thought that I’d lost you.” He leaned in and pressed his forehead against the side of her head. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“No.” She leaned into him and closed her eyes.
Ryder took a deep breath and paused. “Why do I smell pot on you?”
She didn’t bother opening her eyes. “Because Levi smoked a joint the whole ride. I think I’m a little stoned. I’m starving.”
He smiled and leaned down, pressing his lips against hers. “Do you want me to call your family?”
“Only if you call yours.” She opened her eyes to meet Ryder’s. “They’re only a few minutes away, Ryder. I’m sure you haven’t seen them in a while. Call them.”
He sighed. “You want to meet them that bad?”
“Call them.”
When they arrived at the hospital, Ryder walked with the gurney as they wheeled Blake inside the emergency room. She had a death grip on his hand, and he wasn’t about to leave her. They stitched the gash in her forehead and did a CT scan to make sure she didn’t have a concussion. Ryder left her for a brief moment while a doctor checked his arm and bandaged him up. He ended up with a neon blue cast and a prescription for pain medication.
“Do you feel better?” he asked when he entered her room. He pulled up a seat beside her bed and reached for her hand.
The doctors admitted Blake for observation, and fortunately, she got a nice, quiet room. “The doctor said my head is going to hurt for a while. Both from the pot and the contact with the window. I don’t feel any pain though, so I suppose that’s good. Did you call your parents?”
Any other time he would have ignored her request. She glanced over at him, waiting, and Ryder caved. He reached for the phone. Punching in his parents’ number. His father answered. “Hey, dad, it’s me.”
“Ryder?”
“Yeah. Uh, how have you been?”
“Good, son. You?”
“Good.” He met Blake’s eyes when he ran out of things to say. “Uh, I don’t know if you saw the news but my partner and I survived a high speed chase in Minneapolis. I just wanted to let you know I am okay.”
Blake squeezed his hand for reassurance. He hadn’t talked with his father in four years when he basically told him that he would never amount to anything.
“A high speed chase?”
“Yeah. It’s a long story, but I’m fine. My partner and I are both fine.” He rubbed his forehead. “I just wanted to let you know because Mom would worry. I just got a broken arm out of the deal.”
“Where are you now? Are you at home?”
“No. Fairview Southdale Hospital. They admitted my partner, Blake, for overnight observation. I’m staying with her until she checks out.”
“Can we—can your mother and I come see you?”
Ryder closed his eyes. “Yeah, dad. But I’m fine. They didn’t admit me. I’m just here for Blake.”
His father insisted he wanted to see him. Ryder sighed, defeated, and gave him the room information. When he hung up the phone, he said, “Looks like your family is next.”
Her family at least cared about her well being. His? He wasn’t sure what they really thought of him. He knew he’d never be good enough. He didn’t have the degrees his siblings had or the paycheck they brought home every week. But he did have a great job that kept the streets safe.
He handed her the phone, and Blake dialed Lilly’s cell. She waited a moment before her sister answered. “Hey, Lilly. It’s me.”
“Blake. Oh, thank heavens. I saw you on the news. Are you okay?”
“I’m in the hospital, but yeah, I’m okay.” Ryder watched her close her eyes as Lilly rattled on. He tapped her thigh gently to keep her awake, and her eyes popped open. “Look, Lilly. I hit my head really hard, and I have a really bad headache. I just wanted to tell you and Mom that I’m in the hospital, but I’m okay.”
Ryder took the phone from Blake and put it on speaker.
“The news said something about a limo and that Levi was injured. Why were you in a limo with Levi?”
“Levi worked for the suspect of my case, and th
ey kidnapped me. It’s a long story. I just called so you and mom wouldn’t worry.”
“We’re coming down there. What room are you in? Is Levi there as well? Willow would probably want to see him.” She turned her attention to their mother. “Mom, call Willow. She needs to know about Levi.”
Lilly rambled on, and Blake dropped her head back against the pillows, rolling her eyes. Her sister worried about Levi.
“Lilly, stop. Levi is at another hospital because he tried to kill me.”
The phone line went silent. “He did what?”
“Yeah. But I’m fine.” Blake met Ryder’s eyes. “Just don’t mention his name okay. You or Mom. I really don’t want to talk about it right now.”
“Oh, Blakey.” Lilly’s tone changed completely. “Does Ryder know you’re in the hospital? Do you want me to call him?”
“He’s with me right now. He’s been taking care of me.” She gave him a smile. “I really am fine, though. Tell Mom not to worry.”
“We’re still coming down there. What’s your room number?”
Blake rattled it off and finally hung up. “Well, looks like we’re going to have a full house.”
He smiled at her comment.
He leaned forward to kiss her. “Let’s see who gets here first.”
* * * *
Blake ran her fingers through Ryder’s hair as he dozed, laying his head on her thigh. She loved him so much she couldn’t see straight. She couldn’t wipe the stupid grin from her face. Her own personal hero, rescuing her from the car accident and suffering with the pain of his broken arm. She knew he’d come for her. He cared about people in that way, even if he was an arrogant ass most of the time. He protected those he loved the best he could, and when he couldn’t, he rescued them from the bad guy. He was her knight in shining armor.
A knock came at the door, and she granted the visitor permission to enter. Though the room was dark, she saw a slightly older man step inside. “Hello. Are you Blake Warren?”
She brushed her hand down Ryder’s back. “Yes, I am.”
He looked nervous, fidgeting a bit. “I’m Grayson James, Ryder’s brother.” His gaze went to Ryder’s sleeping form. “How are you two feeling?”
“I’m fine. I’m not allowed to sleep, but Ryder is another story. He’s been napping for a while now.” She smiled. “You’re a doctor, aren’t you?”
“Yes. I work in research at Mayo.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I was in town for a seminar. Can I get you anything?”
“Yeah,” Ryder mumbled. “A bed for me would be nice.”
Blake watched a brief smile cross Grayson’s face. “You look like shit, Ryder.”
“So do you.” Ryder sat up, grumbling. “Honey, I need to go for a walk. My back is killing me. Gray and I will be back in a minute.”
Blake smiled. “Go ahead. Take your time. I’m fine by myself.”
Ryder leaned down to kiss her cheek before he and Grayson left the room. Hopefully, everything between them would work out. She lay in her bed and watched the city outside her window. Her fears didn’t scare her as much as they used to. Her relationship with Levi ruled so much of her life in the past, and she never knew it. She never realized he held so much control over her without even being near her.
His past antics showed when they were in the limo. After they dropped Robert off, Levi climbed in the back, holding a gun to her side. He wanted to hit her, show her he had control. But she fought back. I guess all the training in the gym paid off. The past didn’t matter anymore. Ryder showed her time and again a million and one reasons why she wanted to be with him—in all ways possible.
Another knock came at her door.
“Come in.”
A tall woman stepped inside, barely, stopping when she glanced around the dimly lit room.
“I’m sorry. I was looking for Ryder James.”
Blake sat up. “You’ve got the right room. Ryder stepped out for a moment.”
The lady nodded. “Uh, I’m Lyssa Myers. Ryder’s sister.”
“Ah, the physicist.” Blake smiled. “Nice to meet you. I’m Blake Warren, Ryder’s partner. Have a seat. He shouldn’t be long. He and Grayson went for a walk.”
The woman’s jaw dropped. “Ryder and Gray are talking to one another?”
Blake nodded, forgetting about her headache. “Why?”
She came inside and took a seat at the end of Blake’s bed. “My brothers haven’t gotten along all their lives. Christmas four years ago was the last time any of us have spoken to Ryder.”
“Why is that?”
She folded her hands in her lap. “I think he feels like a failure around us. He didn’t go to college. He doesn’t have advanced degrees.” She nibbled on her lower lip, glancing down. “I suppose we don’t exactly make him feel included either.”
Blake didn’t know their past, but his sister looked remorseful of the events. She liked that his family came to see him. That at least showed they cared despite their differences. He didn’t talk about his family much, but she knew he felt he couldn’t measure up.
“Ryder doesn’t need an advanced degree to prove he’s smart.” Blake shifted in the bed. “He risks his life every day to keep the streets safe. He saved me today from a psychopath. I think he deserves a little more credit.”
“I know that.” Lyssa met Blake’s eyes. “It’s never been an issue of we’re better than him. He admitted to us, himself, that he didn’t fit in with our family. I don’t know what to do about it though.”
Before Blake could say anything, her mother and sister came through the door, rushing to the bed
“You had us so worried.” Lisa grabbed Blake’s hand.
“I’m fine.” She looked up at Lyssa. “Mom, Lilly, this is Lyssa Myers, Ryder’s sister.”
Lisa held out her hand. “It’s so nice to meet you. Your brother is a wonderful man for my daughter.”
Blake’s eyes widened. “Mom, please don’t start with that again.”
“What? The two of you would make me some cute grandbabies.”
“I thought you were my brother’s partner.” Lyssa’s eyes widened slightly. “My father didn’t tell me that the two of you were dating. When did all of this take place?”
Lisa replied before Blake could. “They’ve been dating for a while now. Who knows? Maybe I’ll become a grandmother before we know it. That would mean you’d be an aunt.”
“Kill me now,” Blake said to Lilly.
Her sister smiled and brushed her hair from her cheek. “At least she’s stopped talking about me and Mike.”
Amid the commotion and discussion about babies and marriage, Ryder entered the room with Grayson and an elderly couple. He hugged Lyssa, keeping his arm around her as he introduced his parents to Blake and her family. Blake soon discovered Henry and Birdie James were actually charming people, fitting in with the craziness of the room. Blake laughed at the irony of it.
“Blake saved my life,” Ryder said, meeting her eyes. “Our suspect planted a bomb inside the condo, and she warned me before it exploded so I could protect myself.”
Birdie gasped, glancing between Ryder and Blake before finally meeting Blake’s eyes. “Thank you, Blake. I’ve very grateful that you protected him.”
Blake smiled. “He saved me in the end. Ryder’s the real hero, not me.”
Chapter 10
Ryder woke the next day with a crick in his neck, a pain shooting through his arm, and his back throbbing like crazy. He smiled, realizing his fingers tangled with Blake’s. He needed a shower, and desperately wanted to brush his teeth. His family left and allowed Blake to finally get some rest. Her sister and mother stayed in the room with them, one snatching the empty hospital bed and the other snagging the recliner. He moved slightly, trying not to wake Blake though it didn’t work. The woman slept like the dead until a noise or movement stirred, and her eyes popped open. He smiled at her sleepy face.
“I need to move before I’m fixed this way.” He brushed her ha
nd with his thumb.
“You can lie down with me.”
He grinned. “Do you not remember the last time I tried to sleep in a twin-size bed?”
“I won’t let you fall.”
He stood, and she scooted over, giving him barely enough room to lie on his side. At least this bed has rails. He wrapped his good arm around her, happy to have her close again. He kissed the top of her head.
“Are you going to let me sign your cast?” She brushed a finger along his hurt arm.
“If you want. Write something dirty.”
She leaned back to snag a permanent marker off the bedside table. Darkness filled the room, but he supposed she could see enough to write her name. He closed his eyes and waited.
“Done.” She capped the smelly marker and put it on the table. “Can you read it?”
He glanced down to see his arm in shadow. He lifted it, angling it so the light shined on her message.
I love you, Blake.
His heart swelled. “I love you, too. But that’s not dirty.”
“You and your perverted mind.” She snuggled closer to him, sliding her hand beneath his shirt. “How long do we get off from the department for our brush with death?”
“I don’t know. I think mandatory leave from the field is three weeks.”
“Then that gives us time to go to your parents’ cabin, right?” She looked up at him.
He brushed her hair out of her face. “If you want to go, we can.”
“I do. Just me and you, alone.” Her hand moved lower until her fingers brushed his backside. “I love you, Ryder James. It’s a crazy and unexplainable feeling, but glorious and intoxicating at the same time.”
Ryder watched as tears filled and spilled from her eyes. He brushed them away. He knew exactly how she felt. He leaned down to kiss her and whispered against her mouth, “I love you too, baby.”
* * * *
After a week of resting at home, Blake finally convinced Ryder to plan a hunting and fishing trip at his family’s remote cabin. It wasn’t easy persuading him to leave the comforts of his house, but he did. For her he did.
