Logan put his mouth to her ear. “I love you, Dani Prescott, but if you ever put me through something like this again, I’m going to lock you away for the rest of our lives.”
Her laughter was the sweetest sound in the world. “Good luck with that, ninja boy.”
The ambulance sped away, its lights flashing and the siren blaring. Dani stood next to Barbie as it disappeared into the night. “Do you think he’s going to be okay?”
Eli had been unconscious when they’d loaded him into the back. She’d wanted to go with him, but Logan wasn’t letting her out of his sight. She had argued a little, but since she didn’t want to leave his side either, she hadn’t put up much of a fuss.
Barbie wrapped her arm around Dani. “I don’t know, honey. The boss will take you to the hospital as soon as he finishes up.”
Hopefully it would be soon. This place gave her the creeps, and the sooner she was away from it, the happier she’d be. Ballard’s men sat on the ground, guarded by Logan’s guys. Nearby, a group of women huddled together, all their gazes on Herbert Ballard. Did they expect him to talk his way out of this?
Although handcuffed and surrounded by the FBI, the man somehow managed to give the impression his arrest was all just a silly mistake. For a few minutes, she listened to him try and blame Eli and Samuel for everything. Disgusted, Dani turned and walked a few feet away. The sun was peeking up over the trees, and she stopped, took a deep breath of the pine-scented air, wishing it was her mountain air she was breathing. Or the salty breeze of Logan’s ocean. Anywhere but where she was.
Logan finally came to her. She slipped her hand into his. “Can we go to the hospital now? I’m really worried about Eli.”
“The FBI wants a statement from you, but Moore will meet up with us later. He’ll need to anyway because we’re taking his car.”
“I’ve always wanted to steal a car. Is grand theft auto worse when it’s an FBI car?”
“My woman’s nothing but trouble,” he cheerfully grumbled.
Logan held her hand all the way to the hospital, as if he couldn’t bear to let go of her. She closed her eyes, thinking to catch a catnap, but the image of Eli bleeding from his chest was there, as if it had been painted on the back of her eyelids. Had Logan lived with that image of Evan? How did he stand it?
“I keep seeing Eli getting shot. Does it ever go away?”
He squeezed her hand, but stayed silent so long, she didn’t think he was going to answer.
“I wish I could tell you yes, but it’s still there for me,” he finally said. “I know this sounds like a cliché, but it does get better with time. I just try to think of Evan as being in a much better place. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn’t.”
“And I wish Evan had known about his brother.” She swiped at the tears streaming down her face. “In the end, Eli tried to do the right thing.”
“I don’t blame him, Dani. Ballard had him from the age of two, and he never had a chance for a normal life.”
No, he hadn’t, but she was going to do everything in her power to see that he had a better life going forward.
When they arrived, Eli was still in the emergency room. The hospital was small, with no trauma center, and only one doctor on duty, Eli the only patient.
“I’m having trouble stabilizing him,” Dr. Brooks said after introducing himself. “We’re moving him to Little Rock. Helicopter should be here any time.”
“Can we see him? I’m his sister-in-law,” Dani said.
“Are you Irish?”
“Yes, it’s what he likes to call me.”
“He’s been asking for you. Come with me.”
Logan put his arm around her waist, and she leaned into him as they walked up to Eli’s bed. He appeared to be sleeping. She took his hand, and his eyes fluttered open.
“Irish, I was worried about you,” he said, and then his gaze moved to Logan. “I’m sorry. I never wanted to hurt her.” He coughed and gasped for breath.
“Hush, Eli,” Dani said. “As you can see, I’m perfectly fine. As soon as you’re well, you’re coming to live with me and Logan.” She caught the brow Logan raised and ignored it.
Eli tightened his grip on her hand. “No, there are things I have to say. Will you take care of my dogs?”
“They’re with my friend, Andre Decourdeau, right now,” Logan said. “As soon as you’re well, he’ll get them back to you.”
“Not getting well.” Eli looked past them and smiled. “He’s waiting for me. My brother’s here and he doesn’t hate me.”