Page 13 of Guarding Colton’s Witness

“Can I, Matti?” Sam asked.

“Sure.”

“Let’s talk in the kitchen a minute before I go,” Wyatt said.

Leaving Sam playing on the floor with his truck, Ryan followed Matti and her brother into the kitchen. As he walked behind Matti, his gaze traveling over her, appreciating every luscious curve of her body, something stirred inside him.

He didn’t want any stirring going on. His focus was on his job. His bandwidth for personal relationships was nonexistent. He was perpetually exhausted from long hours at the hospital. By the end of the day, he was emotionally drained from dealing with people, often in life-or-death situations. More nights than not, he dragged himself home and planted face first in his bed, sometimes not bothering to eat.

So, this stirring thing going on needed to stop.

Chapter 7

“Either of you want something to drink? Coffee, something stronger?” Matti said when the three of them formed a circle in the kitchen,

“No,” her brother said. “I need to head out.”

“I’m good for now,” Ryan said.

What did good for now mean? Was he planning to stay a while? Did she want him to? Her brain said, “No.” Her heart said, “Hmm, maybe.” He’s a doctor, she reminded her heart. We don’t do doctors. Her heart went silent, refusing to agree.

“How’s Sam’s leg?” Wyatt asked.

“It’s good,” Ryan said. “Thankfully, the bullet only grazed him. He says it’s sore but doesn’t really hurt. There’s no sign of infection.”

“That’s good,” Wyatt said, his eyes on Ryan. “Did Matti tell you we found Sam’s parents?”

Ryan leaned back, bracing his hands on the counter. “Yeah, she did. I want to say I’m sorry to hear that, but I can’t bring myself to. I think they were shit parents, and I’m glad he won’t be going back to them.”

Matti couldn’t agree more.

“Where will Sam be going from here?” Wyatt asked, turning to her.

“I don’t know yet. I need to make some phone calls tonight.”

“He can probably identify those men,” Ryan said. “Will they be looking for him?”

Matti gasped. That hadn’t occurred to her. “Is he in danger?”

“Maybe,” Wyatt said. “Wherever you place him, it needs to be—”

“I can’t put any of my foster parents in danger.” There wasn’t a choice. “He’ll stay with me.”

Both men opened their mouths, and she put up a hand before they could disagree. “It’s not up for discussion. I will not risk the safety of my foster parents. Sam stays here.” She poked a finger against Wyatt’s chest. “I have an abundance of brothers in law enforcement. You, Cal, and Dylan. You boys just go catch these guys so Sam stays safe.” If a detective, a sheriff, and an FBI agent couldn’t catch a bunch of thugs, she didn’t know who could.

“You got me, too,” Ryan said. He shrugged. “I’m not a cop, but I’m invested in making sure nothing happens to Sam.” He paused. “And you.”

Okay, then. That was unexpected. What did it mean, though? That he would be around more? “Great,” said her heart. Her brain disagreed.

“Listen, we found a body along the Enchanted Highway, a convicted drug mule, recently out of prison,” Wyatt said. “We’re pretty sure he’s involved with the people who killed Sam’s parents and Chase Hamilton, the man shot and killed at the station. Hamilton agreed to turn informant, and somehow those people found out. These are not people to be messed with, Matti.”

“I have no intention of messing with them, and it’s all the more reason for Sam to stay here where we can keep him safe.”

“You’re as stubborn as ever,” Wyatt muttered.

She scowled at Ryan when he chuckled, and he threw his hands up. “I didn’t say it.”

“But you’re thinking it, so it’s the same.”