it to her. “And be sure to take your donuts with you.”
She managed a tired smile as she gathered her things and made her way out of the room. Nolan Hamilton walked beside her down the corridor to the elevator.
“Sleep,” he reminded her, “or you won’t be any good to anyone.”
“Got it. And, Nolan? Thank you very much. For everything.”
“Of course.”
Every muscle was tense as she made her way to her car in the parking lot then drove to the hotel. At this hour, traffic was thin, so she could spot a vehicle if it was following her. She thought, anyway. But nothing in her rearview or sideview mirrors gave her pause. She was glad when she reached the hotel. With Blaze’s words echoing in her head, she opted out of the parking garage and turned her car over to valet parking.
She had to admit, when at last she climbed into bed in her hotel room, that she actually was tired. Mental exhaustion created even greater physical exhaustion. God, she hoped Brianne would wake up soon. Would Galaxy really be able to find the people who had destroyed two lives and make them pay for it?
Usually, when she took the time to sleep, she thought of her sister lying so still in the hospital. Tonight, though, as she closed her eyes, the image in her head was of a tall, lean man with thick black hair, a muscular body and a very masculine face with a very surprising dimple.
Chapter Five
“Okay. See you at four.”
Blaze disconnected his call to Peyton and stuck his phone back in his pocket before getting a refill on his coffee. She had sounded okay, or as okay as she could be under the circumstances. He didn’t know if he was glad she’d gone back to the hotel last night or not. She was more vulnerable there. More exposed. On the other hand, at least she’d gotten what passed for a good night’s sleep. He’d have to think how to handle it if she did that more often.
“She okay?”
Matt ‘Viper’ Roman leaned against the counter in Blaze’s kitchen and took a swallow of coffee from the mug he was holding.
“As okay as she can be under the circumstances. At least she’s on the alert now, which helps.”
Blaze had called each of his partners the previous evening, giving them a rundown on Peyton West and her situation and outlining what he wanted them to do. Viper had been the only one with no plans and so had agreed to do some research before they arrived this morning.
Viper frowned. “You really think someone would attack those two women in the hospital?”
Blaze snorted. “How many times have we heard about that very thing happening? She says she’s got a carry permit, so I’m taking her to the range this afternoon. If she passes muster, I’ll fix her up with a handgun.”
“A gun?” Viper grinned. “She sounds like quite the woman.”
“She’s a client.” Yeah, right. “I’m making sure she’s protected.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Stuff it.” He’d do well to remember the client part of the business, too. “I asked Nolan to have hospital security keep an eye on them in the meanwhile. We need to discuss what’s best when everyone gets here.”
“Any special reason why we’re taking on this particular case? It’s not our usual type of activity.”
Blaze shrugged. “Maybe I thought we needed a break from a black ops mission into a country not to be named or rescuing a kidnap victim or tracking a stolen shipment of arms.”
Viper chuckled. “Nice try. I checked out Peyton West online last night. The fact that this client happens to be a knockout wouldn’t have anything to do with it, would it?”
“Not at all. Her story hit me just the right way and I knew we could help her. We can get in the weeds of this kind of stuff where other people can’t.”
“If you say so.”
“I do.” Blaze nodded. “Meanwhile, since you were having a hot date with your laptop last night, you said you’d dig into the brother-in-law. Besides looking up our client, did you get it done?”
“Yeah, but truth be told, I didn’t find anything the least bit hinky.” Viper shrugged. “No shady legal dealings. No client with a grudge. Might as well have had a label on his chest that said Mr. Squeaky Clean.”
Now he shook his head.
“This guy is the poster child for Mr. Wonderful,” Viper continued. “Top of his class in law school. Worked his way up the food chain in