Peterson said, “I’m calling it in.”
Reese flipped over the fallen thug, now coherent and groaning in pain. He pulled his arms behind his back and fastened the cuffs to his wrists. Taking his gun from the bed, he said, “I’ll let the ladies know we’re in the clear, then take our third man off Dash’s hands.”
Rowdy walked out—but surprised Logan again by coming right back with two towels from Reese’s bathroom. They’d really done a number on the apartment. Blood, bodies and bullet holes… Reese would need a damn cleaning and repair crew.
“Maybe you should lie down,” Rowdy said as he pressed one towel to his arm.
Logan eyed him, snorted and shook his head. “Not happening.”
That made him grin. “Yeah, I’d probably fight it, too.” He held the towel against Logan and spoke quietly. “Morton had bad plans for Pepper. He was going to—”
Logan cut him off. “I heard. But he’s dead now. And she’s safe.”
“She’s…free,” Rowdy agreed. He held silent a moment. “He told us where the traffickers are set up.”
Peterson covered the phone and scowled at him. “You will not get involved, Rowdy Yates, do you understand me?”
He readjusted the towel. “Yes, ma’am.”
“I mean it. I’m already preparing a team to go there. We’ll handle it—”
“Yeah, sure. No problem.”
Peterson stalked away while barking orders into her phone.
Logan couldn’t help but chuckle. “You’re a miserable liar, Rowdy Yates, and a worse nurse.” He took the towel from him. “Go fetch your sister. You know you’re dying to.”
“She’s going to kick my ass when she sees you got shot.”
“I don’t know about that. But if you got shot, she’d probably kill me herself.”
Rowdy gave him a funny look, then laughed. “Boy, are you in for a surprise.” He left to find Pepper.
So Rowdy thought she cared about him? That’d be nice, Logan decided. Better than nice, and worth a bullet.
Less than a minute later, the dog barked, and Pepper hurried in with her long-legged gait—until she saw him sitting on the floor.
Logan got caught in her mesmerizing gaze. He smiled to put her at ease. “Hey.”
Fury straightened her backbone and squared her shoulders. “You’re shot.”
“I’m fine.” And he was. Yeah, he hated it that Andrews had gotten off so easily, especially after the verbal threats toward Pepper. But…it was over.
He’d now be free to put all his considerable concentration into winning her heart. Anticipation started a slow burn that all but blocked the pain of his injury.
When she just stood there, staring at him in horror, Rowdy gave her a nudge. “It’s just his arm, sis. He won’t expire on you.”
“Don’t be a jerk!” She shoved away from him to step over and around Andrews, then came down beside Logan. She took the towel from him and lifted it. “Ohmigod.”
She didn’t mention his declaration of love, but she must care for him, given her reaction. Logan pressed the towel back to his arm. “Kiss me. It’ll make me feel better.”
Rowdy snorted.
“You’re both insane,” she complained, but she did kiss him.
Peterson finished her call, took in their cozy position, and rolled her eyes. “Ambulance should be here any minute.”
That got his attention off Pepper. “I don’t need a damned ambulance.”
“Tough. You’re getting it anyway.”
Alice stood there, stoic and silent, holding the dog’s leash. He whined and lurched this way and that, unsure what to do, still uncertain of the situation.
Probably smelling the blood.
Sitting on the side of the bed, Rowdy held out a hand, and the dog came to him like a long-lost friend.
Reese strode back in with Dash but froze when he saw Alice. It was only then that Logan realized she still held the gun loosely in her hand.
Without taking his gaze off her, Reese said to Logan, “A couple of units showed up. They have a handle on things.”
“Good.”
“Paramedics will swarm in soon, probably along with a half dozen uniformed cops.” They both spoke quietly.
He nodded toward Alice. “You want to deal with that before they do?”
“Yeah.” Reese moved closer to her. “Alice?”
Eerily mute, she freed her finger from the trigger, turned the gun around, and offered it to him.
He took it with alacrity. “You were going to shoot someone?”
“If it came to that, of course I would.” She couldn’t seem to pull her gaze off Andrews. “Dead?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“Why is it unfortunate?”
The men all shared a look. Logan said, “I wanted to take him in.”
Hands locked in fists, Peterson agreed. “I wanted him to stand trial. I wanted—”
“Sometimes,” Alice interrupted, “it’s better when they’re dead.”
“Whoa.” Pepper leaned into Logan’s good side.
Sharing that sentiment, he hugged her with his uninjured arm. Better when they’re dead. So who else had Alice tangled with? And who were they?
“Alice?” Reese touched her chin and brought her face around toward him. “Any second now I’m going to have my hands full. Are you okay?”