Texas Heroes_ Volume 1(188)

Her doctor had told Dev that he’d tried to warn her, tried to find a way to get her help. She’d refused any sort of medication, denying that she’d been a bundle of nerves for years.

Then her doctor had told him that Lacey was to be kept calm at all costs. He’d agreed, after Dev had explained in confidence about the shocks Lacey had sustained, to call the DeMilles and ask them to stay away until Lacey asked for them.

He’d also made it very clear that Dev himself was on probation, warning that he’d have Dev barred from her room if he upset her.

Dev had called Murphy first, to ease the old man’s mind. Then he’d called Maddie and explained the whole sorry situation. It was a credit to Maddie’s compassion that she hadn’t told him to go to hell, especially since he still couldn’t promise her that Lacey would want to see any of them.

Maddie had said they’d be in Houston by nightfall. She’d agreed not to push it, to bide their time. She seemed to recognize that the trip could be for nothing, but she and Boone insisted on being there, just in case. Mitch and Perrie were in Dallas buying clothes for their wedding and honeymoon, but she would leave word for them to follow.

Now as he strode toward Lacey’s room, however, Dev’s only thought was for her. What he would say, how he could ever make it up to her for all the anguish.

He slipped inside quietly and crossed to the bed. They’d warned him that she would be dopey—but she would be relaxed. Very relaxed. He never wanted to see her in that kind of agony again.

Dev studied her as she lay there so still. Her hair was a mess, mascara was smudged beneath her lashes, and her lips were unpainted.

He’d never seen a more beautiful sight in his life.

He wanted to touch her desperately, but she needed rest. With trembling fingers, he brushed faintly over her hair.

All of a sudden, everything blurred. Dev squeezed the bridge of his nose and fought the memories.

He’d hurt her so badly. Even if she forgave him, he wasn’t sure he’d ever forgive himself. To the end of his days, he’d be haunted by the look of betrayal on her face.

Dev moved away from the bed, away from temptation. He’d keep watch—he’d guard her with his life, if needed. But he’d forfeited all rights to anything more when he’d lied to himself as well as to her.

She was more than a job. More than a duty to friends. More than a challenge—more important than any revenge.

Too late for it to matter, Dev realized that Lacey was simply…everything.



Lacey tried to escape from the dream but the darkness enveloped her…surrounded her with mournful sobs and lonely sighs. She was lost, forever. Alone. Afraid. She searched in vain, reaching out with fingers that could touch nothing. Eyes that could not see.

At the edge of the forest she saw the glimmer of strawberry blonde hair. Christina’s eyes begged her, but the crone’s claws stole her away, lost forever among the menacing dark trees.

You can’t have her…you’re no one…you don’t exist. Phantom voices chanted. Shrill laughter split the air.

Off in the distance, she saw a man on a black charger, racing her way. Lacey tried to run to him, knowing he would help her, but the gnarled limbs of the trees trapped her.

Revenge…sighed the wind, curling around her ankles, sliding up her spine, chilling her to the bone.

The man and the horse neared, and Lacey cried out—

A hand clapped over her mouth, rendering her mute. Revenge…he only wants revenge…he doesn’t want you.

Lacey clawed her way through the branches, certain that only he could help her, only he could save Christina. Only he could tell her the path—

The man raced closer, his green eyes dark and haunted.

Help me, Dev—

The hand muffled her screams.

And then Dev vanished.



Dev jerked awake in the chair, trying to figure out where he was.

Hospital. Lacey.

Then she moaned again. “Dev—”

He was on his feet in an instant.

Her head tossed from side to side. “Christina—help me. Don’t leave. Dev, don’t—”

“Shh,” he murmured, taking her hand in his. “It’s all right, Lacey. It’s just a dream. You’re okay.”

Her lashes fluttered, then closed. Slowly, like a curtain, they rose. “Dev?” She gripped his hand like it was her last hope.

He smiled. “It’s all right. You’re in Methodist Hospital. They’re going to take good care of you.” With one hand, he brushed the hair on her forehead. “How do you feel?”

Lacey frowned. “Hospital? Why—” She shook her head as if to unscramble her senses.

“They gave you something to make you sleep. That’s why you feel groggy.” He gripped her hand and resisted the urge to scoop her up and hold her tightly. “Sweetheart, you came so close. Too close.” He heard the roughness in his voice. “They’re going to run tests tomorrow, but you can’t keep ignoring this. You’ve got an ulcer, and you’re in danger.” He brushed her cheek. “You scared the hell out of me.”