Deciding to be happy for her, he sat back in his chair and pulled out his phone. He’d call Finn to make sure he got Hayley’s message.
Someone dropped down next to him. “How’s it going, Covington?”
He wasn’t surprised that the family knew of his relationship with their cousin. “I’m, um, I’m concerned for you all.”
The big guy sat staring ahead, his arms crossed over his chest. He was still wearing his uniform. “I’m Gideon.”
“The second oldest, I know.”
“I’m also a cop.”
“I could tell.”
“That’s how I know who you are. I wanna tell you I’m watching you with Hayley.”
“Good to know.” He glanced over to where she sat with Ronan. “She’s a wreck.”
“I’m glad Ronan came. He could always make things better for her and Finn.”
“I’m glad, then, too.”
While he had the chance, he studied Hayley’s cousin. Gideon had a world-weary look to him. His light-blond hair was peppered with gray with incredibly light brows. But by his bearing, he could tell this man was tough.
“How are you holding up, Gideon?”
“I feel like hell I wasn’t there when she called.”
“She got him help, though.”
“Yeah, our little cousin has a will of steel.”
“Tell me about it.”
Gideon laughed. “I don’t have to. I saw you go up against her in court.”
* * *
“I can’t believe you’re here, Ronan.” Hayley hugged him again, awkward though it was sitting down this time. Her emotions were bouncing all over the place. Down so low over Seth she thought she’d never climb out of them. Then reaching heights of joy when her oldest brother appeared today.
“I am here, Red.” He brushed his hand down her hair. “Though you’re more auburn now.” He frowned.
“What?”
“You must have been beating the men off with a stick all these years.”
“How did you know about Seth?”
“I’ve kept track of you and Finn.” He gestured to the group. “And them.”
“How? There are privacy laws, you know.”
“I, um, get alerts.”
“What kind of alerts?”
He glanced over her shoulder. “Look, Hayley. A doctor came out.”
Abandoning the topic for now, she stood and they both hurried over to the rest of the family. She held Ronan’s hand because she was afraid he’d disappear in a puff of smoke. “I have some news about Mr. Casella. Is his wife here?”
“He’s not married. We’re his brothers and sisters.” Rafe fudged the truth a bit. “And this is his mother.”
Julianne Ford held Carmella’s hand. Huh. What would Seth think of his long-lost girlfriend showing up?
“I’m the surgeon, Dr. Joe Manson. Your brother or son is stable now.”
“But he was stabbed.” This from Ali, who held Rafe’s hand.
“Let me explain. Abdominal injuries are classified by the organ that is damaged and how the injury occurred. They can be blunt or penetrating.
“Most concerning is when the object enters the abdominal cavity. Gunshots usually cause significant damage. However, stab wounds that don’t hit organs cause less damage. That’s what happened to Mr. Casella. He had internal bleeding, but we stopped that with surgery to the blood vessels. An artery was nicked but reparable.” He smiled. “Quite frankly, it’s a miracle that the stomach, spleen, and liver weren’t affected.”
Hayley wilted and leaned against Ronan.
“So, the prognosis is?” Gideon asked.
“Excellent. He’ll make a full recovery if he follows orders and lets someone take care of him.”
“I’ll take care of him,” Carmella said.
“I’ll help,” Julianne put in. “I’m off now for the summer.”
“We’ll all help.” Rafe’s tone was reassuring. Safe. “If he lets us.”
“He will,” Carmella insisted.
When the doctor left, Hayley caught something in the corner of her eye. Finn had come into the surgical waiting room. About five feet away, he slowed, then rushed forward.
Lifted his arm.
And slugged Ronan in the jaw. Ronan stumbled backward, then went down. Finn lunged for him.
Carmella screamed.
Rafe jumped between the two of them.
Gideon said, “I didn’t know our Finn had it in him.”
Finn still had his arms up, boxer style.
And Ronan rolled to his feet. Turning, he kissed Hayley on the forehead and walked away. She wanted to run after him, convince him to stay, but Finn was visibly upset. And her duty was to the man who’d been there for her, day after day, year after year. He deserved her attention.
Not the man who abandoned her.
* * *
“Well, that was a shit show.” Hayley threw her purse and coat on the chair, then flopped down onto the bed, on her back, arms out. She looked absolutely bedraggled with her hair down and messy, her lipstick bitten off.
Standing before her, Paul cocked his head. “Finn seems so mild-mannered.” They’d