Page 99 of Holding On

“I don’t think he is going to fare well in federal prison, Walker.”

“Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy, though.”

Harlow laughs before finishing her coffee as we exit the elevator.

“Did you park far away? It’s still really coming down out there. I wouldn’t want you to get soaked again, you just started to dry off.” It looks like it’s raining even harder now than it was when we got here. We walk out of the hospital’s main entrance. “I can give you a ride to your car if you parked further back in the lot. I’ll go get my truck and bring it up to the…” I trail off as an SUV I recognize is sitting under the porte-cochère where I was just offering to pick Harlow up. I purse my lips together as I look at the vehicle, tilting my head and looking down at Harlow, who is blushing and not meeting my eyes.

“So … is there something you want to tell me?” I ask her, waiting for her to meet my eyes.

She hums, but won’t look up from toeing the ground, which suddenly looks fascinating to her. “As my supervising agent or as my friend?”

“Uh…” I look to the SUV and to Harlow before responding, “Let’s go with friend first. I don’t think your supervisor would need this information.”

“Right. I agree. And as my friend, I don’t think I have much to say right now, but if that changes, I will let you know?” Her voice goes up at the end as though asking a question.

I nod in agreement. “And if you need to talk about whatever that is, I can have that conversation as your friend. You know that, right?”

“Yes, but as my friend, can we keep this between us until things either develop further or … don’t? It’s … delicate.”

“How about this—I won’t push for answers, and I won’t go broadcasting anything, but if I am asked, especially by a certain person, I can’t lie.”

She nods. “If she asks, it’s okay, you can tell her what you saw. I promise when or if there’s something to tell, I will tell her.”

I nod. “You’re a smart woman.” She rolls her eyes. As a child prodigy, her being called smart is like Vivian being called beautiful—it’s a given. “But remember that you matter to us because of the friend you are to us, not because of any fancy title or anything other than your heart.”

“And that?” She nods to the waiting vehicle.

“And that … is slightly unexpected, but you’re both good people and that’s a great baseline to start from. But I’m here, if you need it—and you know Viv is too.” She nods and is clearly extremely uncomfortable by this conversation, but I get it because I know her background.

“I better go … uh, that’s my ride. I’ll talk to you later, Walker.”

“Oh, yes, you will.” And eventually about whatever this is.

And like it or not—so will he. I stand and watch Harlow make her way to the SUV, not trying to hide at all what I saw. He gets out and meets her at the passenger side, opening the door for her, and lifting a hand in a wave at me. I lift my chin in acknowledgment and return the gesture, happy to see that he isn’t trying to hide from me about this.

I have his number—and I know where he lives.

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

The morning sun is just starting to peek through the curtains, but I’m in no rush to move. Our alarms are both off and there isn’t anywhere we have to be today. Of course there are plenty of things we could do, but I’m okay if we stay right here. Leaning down, I inhale the sweet vanilla scent of her shampoo and softly kiss her forehead, careful not to wake her. I could lie here with Tinsley, watching her chest rise and fall, knowing she’s safe in my arms for the rest of my life. That’s not practical, but after the last month she’s had—we’ve both had—I’m in no hurry to be away from her anytime soon.

I’ve never been so terrified in my entire life.

And like it or not, the second my girl is fully healed, she’s going to start her own training. She can pick the martial arts style, but she’s going to learn how to do a lot more than just throw a punch—although I will forever be grateful that my niece Lucy taught her that.

The newlyweds Theo and Savannah started building their home a quarter mile south of Walker and Vivian’s house and already talked to Walker about bringing some of his family’s horses from Texas to their land like he and Vivian are doing next month. So, as a thank you to Lucy for what she taught Tinsley, I bought her a pony—technically, a filly, but close enough.

I kept my non-verbal promise to Walker and let my brother-in-law take Rick into custody breathing. He didn’t give me much time alone with the asshole, but revenge was secondary to getting Tinsley to safety. But when my girl kneed him, she gave me the window I needed to take control of the situation. I threw an elbow strike down on his mid-forearm with such force, I was not surprised at all to hear the distinct crack. Rick held the gun so tightly, but he hasn’t studied fighting like I have and wasn’t at all prepared for the sudden impact of an elbow throw—a vulnerability I exploited without question and without hesitation.

Sending Rick into federal custody with a broken forearm was satisfying, but not nearly as satisfying as finding out that Tinsley’s brilliant knee to his groin was so hard that she caused extensive bruising, to the point where the medical staff at the holding facility had to confirm that the asshole didn’t have a ruptured testicle. Neither were ruptured, so he didn’t require emergency surgery for the severely bruised testicles, but he will be in a cast for the broken forearm for the next six to eight weeks. Walker told me that he heard Rick was trying to act tough, but it was really hard to establish that kind of rep in prison when you’re required a supportive garment for your bruised balls in order to walk.

My little ball buster.

Of course, Walker had to announce that tidbit to the Poker Night chat, which led down an extensive sharing of banana hammock gifs and memes. I even managed to smile at a few of them.

But I still feel like I can barely breathe.

Even though she’s safe—I know she’s safe—it’s all been too much, and I can’t handle almost losing her again. I’ve been clingy this last month, which is not like me, but she isn’t complaining. We’ve both needed to be in each other’s physical space, even if physical intimacy has been tamed down while she physically heals once-fucking-again.