“JAG?” I ask, vaguely aware of what that stands for.
“An attorney from the Corp. He’s out on unauthorized absence for abandoning his duties as a Marine.”
I suck in a gasp. “He’s still on active duty?”
“He signed up for another tour after the rest of us were done with ours. He was hell-bent on uncovering the truth behind what happened to your brother.”
All right, that’s it.
One day I’m going to marry Jace for all he’s done for me and my brother, and everything he stands for—if he’ll ever talk to me again once he knows the truth.
Glancing at Kory, I bite my bottom lip. “How do I know you’re not some cop from California, trying to talk him into coming back? He didn’t say anything about being in touch with his buddies. I didn’t even know about this phone.”
“That’s because he’s trying to protect you in every way possible. You’re just going to have to trust me, I guess. Ace doesn’t have a lot of options at this point. I’ll give the attorney this number.” I hear him blow out a long breath. “He’s not going to go to jail for this bullshit, Phoebe. Ace isn’t the only one who wants to know what really happened to your brother. He was a good fuckin’ man and didn’t deserve this.”
I drop my chin to my chest. How could this mess possibly get any more fucked up? “Thank you,” I choke out.
“When you have a chance to talk to him, tell him Zimmy’s on his way.”
As I’m hanging up, the nurse from earlier is rushing toward us with a younger, stern-looking man in blue scrubs on her heels. “Your brother was just brought out of surgery,” the man tells me in a kind, soothing tone. “He’s in pretty rough shape, but after several weeks of rest, he should be back to normal.”
With a small cry, I bury my face in my hands. Jace is going to be okay.
But that doesn’t mean he’ll ever forgive me.
15
Jace
Intense bursts of pain attack my body in a dizzying blend of red and white. Everything from my waist upward is tender and raw as if I’ve been shoved through a grinder. Groaning, I attempt to rub at the stabbing flare in my chest, but my arm feels as if it weighs a thousand tons when I try to lift it. What the fuck is going on?
“Hey, baby,” a sexy voice greets me, low and scratchy like it’s pushing through strained vocal chords. “Take it easy or they’ll threaten to strap you down. Trust me. They’re into that kind of thing around here.”
Phoebe.
I lift my heavy eyelids to see her sitting in a chair next to me, her warm little hand firmly wrapped with mine. Though her eyes are bright and she’s giving me a provocative little smirk behind a curtain of damp hair, her face is long with exhaustion and worry. At first my thoughts are thick with confusion as to why I’m surrounded by beeping machines with tubes sticking out from the back of my hand, then it all returns with crystal clear clarity.
One of Decker’s cronies hit my girl with a fucking baseball bat.
Choked with a rush of panic, I move to sit upright with the intention of pulling her into my arms. My chest and lower back burn with blinding pain, and I realize my other arm has been set in a cast up to my elbow.
“Are you okay, gorgeous?” I ask, wondering why it hurts so goddamned much to move my jaw.
“Take it easy, Marine,” she warns in an authoritative voice. “You’re a hot mess. A surgeon had to remove one of your kidneys. Those bastards broke your arm, cracked some of your ribs, and fractured your jaw. Your beautiful face is a little black and blue, but you’re still hot as hell, I swear.”
“What about you?” I ask in a low growl.
“I had better luck—I came out of it with a little bump on my head,” she answers with a squeeze of my hand. “They took some tests and said my brain doesn’t appear to be any more scrambled than usual.”
“Nah,” she answers in a playful tone, most likely trying to break the tension pulling my lips tight. “But Kory went back and got our bags. I took a shower in your bathroom while you were out.”
Good girl. I would’ve lost my shit if she had gone back to the scene of the crime. And thank fuck they thought to grab my bag, or I’d be out all my savings by the time Ellen decided to start poking around. Grimacing with the idea of Phoebe's ex getting his filthy hands on her while I’m laid up, I ask, “Did they arrest the asshole?”
When her shoulders slump and a long sigh falls from her lips, the answer is evident. Goddamn it! The veins in my neck are strained when I try to slow my rushed breaths.
“I’ll kill him,” I vow with bile rising in my throat.
Though she smiles, her lips are shaky and her brown eyes widen. “Probably not the smartest plan. You’re in enough trouble the way it is.” Then her playful expression morphs into a wrinkled brow and a pained gaze. When she inhales a slow breath, tears spring to her eyes. “I’m sorry, Jace. We had to give them the information Kory remembered from your license. They needed your blood type for the surgery.” Among a strangled cry, she adds, “I couldn’t let anything happen to you.”
“Hey, it’s okay.” Pulling her hand up to my mouth, I brush my lips over her soft skin. “I’m not mad. I figured I could only run for so long anyway. I’m just glad I had enough time to find you. And I don’t mean simply so I could tell you about your brother.”
Wiping her face, her lips quiver with a tentative smile. “Please tell me the name Zimmy means something to you.”
“We served together. How do you know that name?”
Pressing her palm to her chest, her eyes close for a second. “Oh thank god. His number was on the flip phone you were carrying. I knew you were in deep with the warrant and thought I’d take a chance by reaching out to whoever you had been talking with. He said he was going to contact JAG and get you an attorney.” Ducking her head shyly, she says, “He’s on a flight to the Cities from New York. He should be here in a few hours.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. Zimmy’s coming here? Though I wasn’t stoked about getting him involved in this mess, I bought a pay-as-you-go phone after Phoebe ditched me at the hotel, and Nolan Zimmerman’s number was the only one I could remember that hadn’t changed. It was imperative to tell someone my story in case something happened to me.
I could sense Zimmy was reluctant at first to believe everything I learned about the chief, and I was sure he was going to tell me to stop messing with Bugsy’s sister. Then he started giving me sound advice, and promised he’d have my back if shit went down. Guess he stuck to his promise.
“Shit, are you mad?” Phoebe asks. “Was it wrong to call him?”
“Hell no,” I answer, flipping my eyes back open to see her cringing. “You did the right thing, gorgeous. That fucker has a boatload of money and he’ll do whatever it takes to get me out of this chaos.”
My answer is rewarded with a bright smile that makes her glow before she drops a gentle kiss on my lips. Whatever floral scent clings to her skin is total hell on my control. But I hate how she’s extremely careful not to lean on me like I’m made of glass, even though I suppose it’s necessary. Still, it makes me feel like a lesser man. Jesus, I took a fucking bullet in Afghanistan and was nearly gutted like a pig, but even that didn’t slow me down for long. I’d give anything to hold Phoebe against my chest and promise her that everything will be okay.
She settles back in the chair, opening her mouth with hesitation. Stroking her fingers over my hand, her eyes drop to the floor. “Now that all of this is over, there’s something—more like several somethings—I have to tell you.”
My jaw tightens painfully. “All of this is far from over so long as that asshole isn’t behind bars and Ellen is still making threats to turn you in.”
; “How can it possibly end, Jace?” she asks, meeting my glare with a slow shake of her head. “This is my mess. No matter what you say, I won’t let you go after Decker again. He tried to kill you. The sheriff from the next county over is handling the assault. I gave the deputies my statement, and they want to talk to you as soon as you’re feeling up to it. We’ll let them deal with Decker. And if Ellen follows through with her threat, we’ll deal with it then. There may never be a resolution other than the two of us getting the hell out of this wasteland.”
Groaning, I pull my hand from hers and wipe at my throbbing jaw. There’s no way I’ll agree to her passive-aggressive bullshit plan, but I’m not in the mood to argue. Especially when it feels like I’ve been dropped from a copter.
“The nurse said you can buzz for help if you’re in a lot of pain,” Phoebe tells me in a gentle tone. “Looks like they’re pumping you full of some quality narcotics.”
“I’m good,” I insist through gritted teeth.
Phoebe clicks her tongue loudly. “No need to play it tough around me, big guy. I saw what those scrotum sniffers did to you. It’s a miracle you’re expected to walk away from this with all your body parts in tact—well, with the exception of one kidney.” Her voice becomes shaky when she says, “You freaked the living hell outta me, Jace. I thought I was going to lose you.”
A wave of nausea hits me when remembering how I was sprawled out on the ground, completely fucking useless as one of the rednecks swung at her head like it was a goddamned baseball. Eyes closed, I suck in a slow breath. I’ve trained with the Navy SEALs, for Christ’s sake. Why couldn’t I protect my girl from a pack of idiots?
“I should let you get some rest,” Phoebe whispers. “We’ll talk about everything later.”
“Stay with me.” Locking my gaze with her beautiful eyes, I nudge her hand into mine and lace our fingers together. “I don’t want you out of my sight until they arrest him.”
With a resolved sigh, she bends to kiss my good arm. A twenty-something woman strolls into the room with scrubs, asking how I’m doing and adjusting some of the buttons on the machines bleeping with my vitals. Phoebe tells her I’m too stubborn to admit I’m in pain and the nurse adjusts my drip. It isn’t much longer before my eyelids are too heavy to keep open.
“Jesus Christ, Ace. I’d hate to see the other guy.”
Prying my drowsy eyelids open, I find two old buddies from my unit lurking over me with equally twisted smirks on their ugly mugs. They’re both in fairly good shape, though Nolan must work out a lot as his muscles are far more defined. Even wearing a plain button-down shirt rolled at the elbows and tan chinos, there’s no hiding Nolan’s strong Greek genes or the Rolex on his wrist that hints at his wealth. Charming asshole was always a hit with the ladies.
Theo Roberts was always just as suave, though he was more of a player. The son of a bitch looks ready to reenlist the way his hair is cropped short on the sides. All the guys in our unit were perplexed when the one guy who ticked all the boxes of a Jarhead didn’t sign up with me for another tour, but I guess his father had a sweet job lined up for him as a producer, so no one can really blame him.
Having been years since the three of us parted ways, I’m slammed with a rush of nostalgia that nearly brings a fucking tear to my eye. Don’t they know they’re putting themselves in harm’s way by getting involved in my shit?
I lift my first up to bump with each of theirs. “Zimmy! Big Rob! Who let you pansy-ass fuckers in here?”
Theo’s eyebrows lift. “Some hot little piece of ass with blue hair.”
“She’s taken,” I snarl.
“Relax, I am too!” Theo answers with a howling chuckle, holding up his ring finger to show me a wedding band. “Christ, you must have it bad for this girl!”
“Where is she?” I ask with panic once again tightening my airways.
“She went to grab something to drink in the cafeteria with her friend, Kory,” Nolan answers, sticking his hands into his pockets. “Seriously though, man. You look like total hell.”
Dipping my chin, I grunt. “Feel like it too. Doubt they’ll arrest the son of a bitch who did this to me, either. He’s the sheriff’s boy.”
“Fuck,” Theo grumbles, and I nod.
Nolan brings a hand up to rub at his forehead. “I found an attorney in St. Paul who’s willing to come down to go over your options. Since you’ve been on UA for less than thirty days, you can turn yourself in and they’ll likely waive time in the brig, but they may put you on administrative duty for a few months. He says you can never be sure with the Corps though. They’re all over the board when it comes to punishment for that kind of thing. And San Diego county may be willing to cut a reasonable deal on the fleeing charges if you turn yourself in.” Pushing his hand back into his pocket, he lets out a long sigh. “The thing with Chief Kester is obviously going to be far more complicated.”
I bob my head, having expected that kind of an answer. “Did you contact JAG?”
“In a roundabout way. My girlfriend called them without giving any names and they said it would likely go before a court-marshal.”
“You have your girlfriend taking care of business?” I tease with a cocked eyebrow. “Are both of you completely pussy-whipped now?”
Busting out with a wide grin, Nolan’s eyes roll to the ceiling. “She’s an attorney.”
“Who happens to be hot as hell,” Theo intercedes. “If I weren’t already married to a phenomenal woman…”
Nolan punches him in the shoulder hard enough to solicit a grunt. “Yeah, we know, hotshot. Every woman on the east coast is in mourning now that you’re off the market.”
Chuckling with the familiar display of camaraderie, I’m all at once grateful Phoebe took a chance in reaching out to Nolan. Having my old buddies near is a comfort on so many levels, especially knowing they can help me keep Phoebe safe from harm.
“I really appreciate you guys coming here,” I tell them in all sincerity, feeling my throat close up with emotion. “But I still hate that you’re sticking your necks out for me. Chief does not want his dirty laundry exposed. He was ready to shoot me that night when I pulled him over. If he finds out the two of you are involved—”
“Bugsy was our brother too,” Theo interrupts, squaring his jaw. “We should’ve stood up to this asshole when we first thought something was off the way things went down.”
“One way or another, we’ll get you out of this clusterfuck,” Nolan promises, holding up his fist.
Theo bumps his fist, then mine. “Oorah.”
I catch sight of my girl leaning against the doorway to the room, arms crossed and a twinkle in her beautiful brown eyes as she watches me interact with the guys. Seeing her in a loose white T-shirt and ripped jean shorts, sans picture of a redneck over her perfect tits, has my pulse racing into overtime.
I’ve heard people can form an intense bond after experiencing extreme situations together, and after all we’ve been through in such a short time, my feelings for Phoebe have become pretty fucking potent. As hard as it was at first to swallow the truth—that she’s Bugsy’s little sister—I now know for certain that fate had something to do with us crossing paths. Pain of a different kind tugs at my chest when I realize I may have to leave her if sentenced to jail. Being torn away after promising to keep her safe will be the fucking death of me.
“Get your ass in here, gorgeous,” I bark. The way she strolls toward me without resistance, acting like there’s no other place she’d rather be, makes my balls tight and my dick painfully hard. While she’s settling on my side opposite the guys, going out of her way to avoid my cast, I’m struck with a crippling feeling. What if I’m unable to protect her?
“You’ve already met these two jokers?” I ask.
Glancing their way, her lips quirk with a humored grin. “Yeah, we had ourselves a nice chat before I sent them in here.”
“That we did, gorgeous,” Theo agrees with a chuckle.
Jealousy coils in my gu
t. “Call her that again, fuckwit,” I challenge with a deadly glare. Theo and Nolan merely laugh.
Giggling, Phoebe strokes the side of my head to get my attention. Unfortunately it also grabs my dick’s interest and I have to adjust my hips before the guys give me shit about that too.
“Sorry to interrupt your testosterone party,” she says with a playful roll of her eyes, “but the Warren County Sheriff is getting impatient. I told him you were still unconscious, but he saw these guys come in here and told me he wants to be your next visitor.”
“Send him in,” I say with a flex of my sore jaw. “I’d love to hear whatever fucking excuse they have for not arresting your ex.”
“They’re working on it, babe. The sheriff is a pretty decent guy. You have to promise me you’re not going to go all alpha male on him because that won’t help anything.”
Nolan chuckles behind his hand.
“Sounds like you already know Ace pretty well,” Theo comments.
Frustrated, I make a grunting noise. “You two knuckleheads keep an eye on my girl while I’m meeting with this guy. The asshole who put me in here would kill her if he got the chance.”
Theo dips his head in compliance. “Roger that.”
“And I may be laid up, but I’ll still kick your ass if I so much as catch you looking at her funny,” I warn with a point of my finger.
“Define funny,” Theo retorts.
“Get the fuck outta here!” I yell, grabbing an empty plastic cup off the table over the bed and tossing it at him.
“We’ll take good care of her,” Nolan promises through laughter.
“I know you will,” I say with a smirk. “Thanks, man.”
“We’ll always have your back, brother.” He dips his chin at Phoebe. “We’ll be in the waiting room when you’re ready to go.”
As he exits, I surprise Phoebe by reaching across my chest with my good arm and yanking her down on to the bed with me. It hurts like a motherfucker when she gingerly sinks against my injured ribs, but it’s totally worth it to hear her surprised giggle as she braces herself against the bed at my sides.