Sworn To Protect. Shirlee McCoy

he wouldn’t be coming home. Over the past few months, that nagging worry had transferred to the other men in Katie’s life—her brothers-in-law and Tony.

      Brianne hesitated, her gaze jumping to the other officer. “He’s fine.”

      Her answer was about as reassuring as the concerned look on her face.

      “Then, why do you look like he’s not?”

      “You need to relax and not worry, okay?” Brianne responded.

      “I would worry less if someone would tell me what’s going on.”

      “There isn’t much to tell. Martin Fisher hasn’t been apprehended. The chief is out searching for him with other members of the team. Until I hear something different, I’d rather you just sit tight and wait here.”

      “The NYPD have been hunting for Martin since he escaped the mental hospital. There’s no guarantee he’ll be found tonight or tomorrow, and I can’t remain in the hospital indefinitely. Besides, I’m not asking to leave. I’m just asking to visit Ivy.” She wanted to leave, though, and if she could talk one of her brothers-in-law into bringing her home, that’s exactly what she planned to do.

      “I have to check with the chief, but if I can get in touch with him, I’ll see if I can clear it. Just give me a few minutes, okay?”

      “Sure,” Katie conceded. She was too tired to argue. Even if she weren’t, she would have allowed Brianne to do her job. She had too much respect for law enforcement to make trouble for any of the officers.

      “Thanks.” Brianne smiled, her eyes shadowed with fatigue, her auburn hair tucked behind her ears. Like everyone on the K-9 team, she had been burning the candle at both ends, trying to locate and apprehend Martin.

      “I’ll contact Dr. Ritter,” the nurse added, walking out of the room as the officers left.

      Katie waited until they closed the door, then dug through her purse until she found her phone. She scrolled through text messages from friends who had heard about the attempted kidnapping on the news and were worried about her. Former colleagues had called, and she had gotten a call from her pastor. She didn’t listen to the voice mails. She’d do that later. For now, she had the information she wanted. Tony had not tried to contact her. That wasn’t surprising, if he was still out searching for Martin.

      But, she couldn’t forget Brianne’s hesitation.

      Something was wrong.

      She was sure of it.

      She swung open the door, determined to get the truth.

      Tony was there, hand raised as if he’d been getting ready to knock. His jacket and uniform shirt were off, and a thick bandage was showing beneath the short sleeve of his T-shirt. There were specks of blood on his forearm and a smear of it on his cheek.

      But, he was on his feet and alive, Rusty standing beside him.

      She was so relieved, she threw her arms around him, pulling him close before she realized what she was doing.

      Tony had been hugged hundreds of times, and he’d given plenty of hugs. At Jordan’s funeral, he had stood beside Katie, his arm around her shoulders, offering support, because he had known that’s what his friend would have wanted.

      Now, though, she was nearly nine months pregnant, her belly pressing against his abdomen, her arms wrapped around his waist. He felt the baby move, the tiny life demanding attention.

      He had made a promise to Jordan, and he meant to keep it. He would make certain Katie and the baby were safe. Even if that meant going out to hunt for Martin with a bandaged arm.

      Katie stepped back, eyes dark in her pale face. “Sorry.”

      “For what?”

      “The hug.” Her gaze jumped to Brianne.

      “No need to apologize. We’re family.”

      “You and Jordan always did call each other brother,” she said, offering a half smile.

      “We did,” he agreed. She was obviously self-conscious about what had been a completely platonic hug.

      “I was worried about you.” She touched the edge of the bandage that covered his cleaned and sutured wound. “Are you okay?”

      “Fine. I would have been here sooner, but Martin grabbed a teenager in the park, and he was wounded.”

      “Oh no! Will he be okay?”

      “He has a cut on his cheek and is shaken up, but he’ll be fine.”

      “And your shoulder?”

      “Also fine, but Noah insisted I get checked out at the hospital and take a couple of days to recuperate.”

      “That doesn’t sound like a bad idea.”

      “It wouldn’t be, if Martin weren’t still running free.” He took her arm and led her back into the room. The less time she spent out in the open, the happier he’d be.

      “I was hoping to avoid returning to the hospital room,” she murmured, stopping just over the threshold.

      “It’s best if you stay here.”

      “So everyone keeps telling me, but I’d prefer to go check on Ivy.”

      “I spoke with Carter a few minutes ago. Ivy is doing well. She broke her wrist and has a mild concussion. They plan to keep her for observation, but she should be able to return home tomorrow.”

      “Poor Ivy. This is all—”

      “Don’t say it,” he cut in.

      “What?” she asked, raising one light brown brow and eyeing him with a look she had probably used on her fifth-grade class when she was teaching.

      “That it’s your fault.”

      “If I hadn’t—”

      “Katie, we could all spend our lives thinking about what we could have done differently, but none of us can go back. You and I go to the same church. I’ve spoken to Martin a few dozen times, and I never would have imagined he was capable of murder.”

      “You’re right. I know that.”

      “Then, stop feeling guilty for the actions of a sick individual. There is nothing you could have done to keep him from becoming fixated on you. Even if you hadn’t gone out with him, he may still have stalked you. He’s unhinged.”

      “Maybe so.” She smiled, but her eyes were sad. They’d been that way since Jordan’s death.

      “Exactly so,” he replied, and some of the sadness left her eyes.

      “You’re always a cheerleader, Tony, and I appreciate it. But, I’d appreciate it a lot more if you would bring me to see Ivy and then drive me home.”

      He should have refused.

      Noah had already told him to get treatment and to return home to rest. There’d been nothing in his directives about visiting Katie or taking her home. But, Tony had never been one to blindly follow someone else’s lead. He was off the clock, and he knew how to protect Katie.

      He’d bring her up to see Ivy, and then he’d check in with Jordan’s brother Carter, who was still recovering from being shot several months ago and had only just returned to the office part-time. The other two Jameson brothers, Noah and Zach, were hunting Martin while Carter stayed at the hospital with Ivy and their father.

      “All right,” he agreed.

      Her eyes widened, and she offered the first real smile he had seen in months. “Really?”

      “Did you think I’d refuse?”

      “Everyone