Rollins sneered. “Fuck you.”
“You’ll live with Shayley’s death for the rest of your life. And you can be sure you’ll be in a hellhole of a prison for your attack on Inamorata and Deborah.” He crouched. “And Elissa.” The woman I love. “You didn’t get revenge on Hawkeye—you sealed your place in hell.”
Gun drawn, Johnson arrived and silently took in the situation.
“I want this sonofabitch out of here.”
She nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Happily he flipped Rollins over again while Johnson wrenched cuffs onto the assailant.
“Emergency medical is en route. Inamorata in the air.” Lifeguard’s reassuring voice filled the room.
“Send Laurents directly to the main house to take care of Deborah.”
“Roger that.”
“Get up, you lowlife bastard.” With Johnson’s assistance, Jacob dragged Rollins to his feet. Then he looked at Johnson. “I don’t care what you do with him, but don’t let me ever see his face ever again.”
“Yes, Commander.”
Lifeguard spoke one more time. “Bird is inbound.”
Everyone knew where the landing pad was. Things were as under control as they could be. “Walker out.” He hit the switch to reset the panic button system, giving them privacy. “Elissa.”
Elissa was still in the corner, and he crossed to her then sat next to her. “You did good.”
The cat stopped her hissing and dancing and slunk toward them.
“I never believed it was real.”
“Let me see your arm.” Jacob had to repeat the request before she complied. Fortunately it seemed superficial, but the trauma from the day would last a long time. And for the rest of his life, he’d regret that he’d been away from the house when Rollins showed up.
No doubt she was in shock, and he applied direct pressure to the wound, praying EMTs would arrive soon. “Tell me what happened?”
“I… He forced open the door. I don’t know how, since it was locked.” Waffle wiggled in close to Elissa, and she absently stroked the cat’s head. “The only thing that was close was the teapot. I was behind the door, and I hit him with it. Then I got as far away from him as I could.”
She was damn brave. “You sacrificed your afternoon matcha?”
He was happy when she rewarded him with a half smile.
“He tried to come after me.”
Even after she’d brained Rollins hard enough to break the ceramic? “So what happened?”
“Waffle.”
“Waffle?”
“She attacked him and ended up tripping him.”
“In that case, we’ll get her all the bacon she ever wants.”
“I think she earned it.”
Then, seemingly annoyed with the attention, Waffle stood, stretched, then sauntered off.
In the distance, the unmistakable whir from the helo signaled that Hawkeye’s A-team had arrived to deal with the authorities and clean up the mess. “I’m so proud of you.”
She leaned into him. “I was so scared. Especially… The gun. My ears are still ringing. I think maybe they will be forever.”
He didn’t bother with platitudes. She’d go on, and she’d get better. The events would fade, but she’d never be entirely the same again. He regretted she’d ever gotten wrapped up with Hawkeye. Her biggest sin was a compassionate heart.
“I guess it’s safe to go home now.”
“Yeah. But you don’t have to. And I’d prefer you never did.”
“Jacob…”
Any further conversation was interrupted by a sharp staccato beat on the stairs. Inamorata—no doubt. If she had a first name, no one knew it. But there was a large office pool with bets. Always cool and composed, she was the best fixer he’d ever met.
Without announcing herself, she entered the apartment and glanced around, taking in every detail. “Commander Walker.” She nodded.
As usual, her blonde hair was pulled up, and she wore a slim-fitting pencil skirt and stiletto heels. “Medical technician is right behind me.”
“Good.” The sooner they were here and gone, the better.
She walked across the room and crouched near them. “Ms. Conroy, I’m Inamorata. Hawkeye speaks highly of you. And with good reason. I saw the feed. If you’re ever looking for a job—”
Jacob’s protective instincts flared. “You can fuck the hell right off, Inamorata. And take Hawkeye with you. Go do what you’re paid to do.”
For the briefest fraction of time, he thought she might smile.
Instead she pushed to a standing position and left without another word.
As promised, two emergency technicians strode in, carrying bags. They checked Elissa’s vitals and bandaged her up.
“You can take over-the-counter pain reliever if needed.”
Since discretion was of utmost importance to Hawkeye, the firm kept an assortment of professionals on call, meaning employees and clients rarely visited a hospital.
“Rest and hydrate, and don’t do any more than necessary.”
When they were alone, he stroked back her hair. “You ready to get back to the main house? Or we can stay here as long as you want.”
“Is Deborah okay?”
“Let’s go see.” He kept his arm around her as they walked back to his home.
Deborah was still there, and the two women fell into each other’s arms and held on tight.
Agent Kayla Fagan took a step toward them, and he held up a hand to wave her off. Fagan nodded and leaned against the counter to wait.
“Agent Fagan was going to take me home, but I couldn’t leave until I saw you.”
“Me? I’m concerned about you. What happened to your cheek? Are you okay?”
“He hit me when I wouldn’t tell him where you were.”
“Oh my God.” Elissa reached out her hand as if to touch Deborah’s face, but then didn’t. “I’m so, so sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’m told I might get a black eye. And it will make a great addition to a Ski Bunny story one day.”
Elissa shook her head. “If you don’t find an illustrator, let me know. I can never repay you for what you did today.”
“You’d have done it for me.”
“You were really brave. Thank you.” Elissa pressed her palms together. “Did someone go to get Adele?”
If he hadn’t already been in love with Elissa, it would have happened at that moment. After all she’d been through, she was concerned for his housekeeper’s daughter.
“My sister went to the school.” A river of tears washed down Deborah’s cheeks. “I was so scared for you.”
“No need. Waffle tripped him and took him down.”
Deborah wiped her face with the back of her hand. “Are you kidding me?”
“Swear to God.” Elissa crossed her heart with her index finger.
“What a good kitty! I always knew she was perfect.”
Elissa grinned.
“But what about you? Is your arm okay?”
“This?” Elissa brushed two fingers over the bandage. “It’s superficial.”
Jacob knew she was lying. From experience, he knew it hurt like hell. “Take some time off,” he told Deborah. “As long as you need. A month. Two. You’ll get your full paycheck.” And a big juicy bonus, even if she opted never to come back. He wouldn’t blame her for that.