Laz has been shot.

  How was that even possible? He’d been at a kid’s party.

  Journey had so many questions. She wanted to ask about Arielle, but couldn’t form the words. Not yet. Not until she was ready for the answer. Because if anything had happened to her baby, it would kill her. As it was, knowing that Laz had been shot made it hard for her to breathe.

  They had to be all right. God, please let my family be okay.

  By the time they arrived at the truck, she was a nervous wreck. Kenton remained stoic and tight-lipped when he helped her into the back seat of the Suburban. She had to get him to tell her what had happened. She had to know.

  “Ke—Kenton,” Journey breathed, her body shaking as she struggled to keep herself from falling apart. “Please tell me what’s happened. How….” She was trying not to panic and she wasn’t a crier, but that didn’t stop tears from pushing their way through. She quickly brushed them away. “How is—”

  “Buckle up,” was all Kenton said before he slammed her door closed and climbed into the front passenger seat.

  Her brother-in-law, who was driving, pulled off the moment Kenton got in. The silence was deafening, only making her freak out even more. She needed answers. When neither spoke, dread practically suffocated her.

  “Myles…Kenton…please. Just tell me he’s going to be all right and that my child is okay,” she said, unable to hold back the sob that slipped through. “Tell me where they are, please. Where’s my family? Are they….”

  Kenton jerked around so fast, Journey flinched and slammed back against her seat. A vicious scowl darkened his handsome face.

  “Dammit! Why the hell haven’t you been answering your phone?” he barked. “The only thing Laz kept saying was ‘find my wife. I need my wife!’” Kenton said, his voice rising with every word. “We’ve been calling you for the past fucking hour! Do you have any idea wh—”

  “Hey!” Myles roared as he sped down the highway, weaving in and out of traffic. “Dial it down. Yelling at her ain’t gon’ help the situation.”

  Her brother-in-law wasn’t a big talker. He was more like the strong silent type, but when he did say something, everyone listened. His grip on the steering wheel and the way his jaw was clenched proved he was just as upset as Kenton. Understandably so since the men of Supreme security were more than just coworkers. They were brothers.

  “He needed you. Do you know how we felt when we couldn’t find you?” Kenton asked. He wasn’t yelling, but the anguish in his tone cut right through Journey. “When Wiz couldn’t get a read on your tracker, we didn’t know what the hell was going on and whether you’d been attacked, too.”

  “I’m sorry.” She sniffed. “There must’ve been a dead zone where we were,” she said, hating her choice of words seeing that her family could’ve been killed.

  “They might keep Laz overnight,” he continued. “He took a round in the shoulder—a clean shot through and through—but he lost a lot of blood. He was in and out of consciousness during the ride to the hospital, but last we heard, he was getting stitched up. Arielle is okay. She’s at the hospital with your sister and Dakota.”

  Journey’s chest tightened, and she covered her mouth with her hand. “I’m sorry. God, I’m so sorry.” No longer able to hold the tears back as her throat constricted and sobs wracked her body, she cried.

  She was sorry that she had bailed on family day. Sorry that she and Laz’s last words were angry ones and sorry that this could’ve been the last time she saw her family.

  I should’ve been there. I should’ve been with my husband. He needed me.

  “Come on, Journey. You’re killing me here,” Myles said in a consoling tone. “I’m sure Laz is going to be okay. I heard he was giving the hospital staff hell. That’s a good sign.”

  That was a good sign, but it made her ache even more, especially when Myles continued telling her what little he knew about the shooting. Laz had been ambushed, and some man had been killed, but they didn’t know too much more than that.

  Shock paralyzed her. Laz and Arielle could’ve been the ones who’d been killed…and they couldn’t find me.

  “We’re going to find whoever did this,” Kenton said with so much venom in his tone.

  Journey was sure that Supreme was already digging for information. They’d probably get answers before the cops.

  “Arielle was in the back seat on the floor. She said her daddy said to get on the floor, and she did. She kept saying that she was a good listener,” Myles added.

  Thank God. Thank God she listened.

  But Journey couldn’t stop crying. They were only fifteen minutes from the hospital. She had to pull herself together before she got there. She couldn’t let her daughter see her crying, especially not after what her baby had been through. But Laz…Laz was never going to forgive her. Her husband had needed her, and she hadn’t been there for him.

  Journey dug through her handbag for tissues and wiped her face as best she could. Her heart hurt. She was so thankful that Laz was going to be all right, but….

  “Give me your watch,” Kenton said.

  Journey’s gaze jerked to his. He was turned in his seat with his hand out.

  “No,” she said, her breathing coming in short spurts as the meaning of what it meant to give the watch back slapped her in the face. All of the wives who were married to the men of Supreme Security received jewelry with GPS trackers.

  If he was asking for it back, that meant that Laz was done with her. That he had given up on her.

  She shook her head and folded her arms, covering the watch as if protecting it from Kenton’s sight. Childish? Maybe, but she didn’t give a damn. She was never giving the watch back.

  Most women would’ve scoffed at the thought of their husbands being able to track them.

  Not Journey. After almost dying at the hands of a kidnapper, she welcomed the fact that her husband could find her anytime and anywhere as long as she was wearing the watch. But it meant more than that to her. It was a token of Laz’s love.

  She never left home without it.

  Back then, Laz had promised her that he would never track her unless it was an emergency, and he had exhausted all other ways to reach her. In turn, she had agreed to check in with him either via text or a phone call, especially if she was working late or not coming straight home.

  Kenton’s expression softened, and he huffed out a breath. “Wiz wants it. He’s concerned that we couldn’t track you this afternoon, and he’s getting it updated with some new tech equipment.”

  Journey bit her bottom lip, then lowered her gaze. Her heart was breaking. The watch was a symbol of so much more to her. If she gave it back…. It felt like she was giving up on her marriage or that Laz was giving up on her.

  “I can’t,” she murmured, barely loud enough for them to hear her. “I can’t lose him, Kenton.”

  “Babe, you won’t. I know something is going on with you guys, but Laz isn’t going anywhere. That I know for a fact,” Kenton said with authority.

  Journey stared at him through her tears. She wanted more than anything to believe him, but she knew her husband. He wasn’t the forgiving type. She was sure that her being unreachable was probably the last straw.

  He will never forgive me.

  Minutes later, Myles pulled in front of the emergency room entrance, and Kenton escorted Journey inside. Her heart was beating so fast and hard that it felt like it would leap right out of her chest as they bypassed the emergency waiting room. They took the stairs to a third-floor waiting area, and like Laz, his team hated elevators. They only used them when necessary, claiming it wasn’t always safe to be trapped in a floating metal box.

  When they arrived on the third floor, Journey willed herself to calm down, to dig deep for the strength she used in court. Her usual breathing technique wasn’t working against the anxiousness charging through her body.

  At least the tears had stopped. Right now, she considered that a win because the guilt plaguing her was stifling, and she wasn’t sure if she’d ever forgive herself for not being available when her family needed her.

  “Mase is here somewhere, and he made arrangements for us to use this waiting room for as long as we need,” Kenton said, referring to the owner of Supreme Security, Mason Bennett. The man had contacts all over the state and occasionally called in favors. Journey assumed that he had requested a private space until they figured out who was after Laz.

  “I’ll have to thank him,” she said.

  When they arrived, the door was closed, and Kenton placed his hand on the doorknob, but he didn’t open it. Journey’s pulse picked up, thinking he was getting ready to deliver some bad news. She had noticed the small earpieces that he and Myles wore. Had one of the guys given them an update?

  “Kenton,” she said slowly, bracing herself for the worse.

  He removed his shades and stared into her eyes. “Listen, I owe you an apology. I was way out of line on the ride here. You didn’t deserve the way I spoke to you, and I’m sorry about that. I guess I was just—”

  “Worried about Laz,” Journey finished. A sliver of relief flowed through her that he wasn’t delivering more bad news. “You had every right to be angry. I know how close you and Laz are, and I shouldn’t have been MIA. That’s…unforgivable.”

  “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Laz knows how important your job is.”

  “Yeah, but he thinks it’s more important than he and Ari, and for a minute there, he might’ve been right. It’s not my intention to put my cases first, but sometimes—”

  “Sometimes you can’t help it. We all get like that about our jobs, Jay, but you just have to remember that family always comes first. Always.”

  She knew that better than anyone, especially now.

  “And for the record, we were worried about you, too. We don’t know what we’re dealing with yet. This hit could’ve had something to do with Laz’s past, someone gunning for him. Or it could be retaliation for…hell, I don’t know…a recent assignment. But we’re taking every precaution, and that includes making sure you and Ari are safe. So, when you were unreachable, we feared the worse. Which only freaked Laz out more. He was already being a jerk with the medical staff, but when we couldn’t find you, he lost it. They threatened to sedate him.”

  Journey closed her eyes for a minute and rubbed her forehead as the knife of guilt twisted inside of her. “God, he’s going to hate me.” She slowly opened her eyes. “I’m so sorry for the trouble I caused, and I promise to never be out of reach again. Does Laz know I’m here?”

  Kenton nodded. “When you’re ready to go see him, me or one of the other guys will take you to him.”

  She and her family were close, but their Supreme Security family was just as close. She was so grateful to have all of them in her life, especially at times like this. They all supported each other with the highs and lows that life brought, which made her feel even worse about missing the party earlier.

  I have to do better.

  “Holler when you’re ready,” Kenton said, letting her walk into the room while he stayed in the hallway.

  It was a simple space with a navy-blue sofa, several multicolored cushioned seats, and a round table with three chairs.

  “Oh, thank you, God,” Journey choked out when she saw Arielle in Geneva’s arms. They were sitting on the sofa near the far corner of the room. Her sister had her eyes closed while she rocked Arielle but glanced up when Journey entered.

  “I’m supposed to be the problem child, but you might be catching up with me, sis,” Geneva whispered, offering a small smile. “’Bout time they found your ass, er…I mean, butt.”

  Journey didn’t bother responding. She hurried across the cozy room, needing desperately to hold Ari. Geneva tried to stand with Arielle, but being six months pregnant and looking as if she was going to deliver at any moment, her sister remained sitting.

  “Thank you for taking care of her,” Journey said tearfully as she gathered her child into her arms and held her close. Arielle stirred but didn’t wake up. The girl could sleep through a supercell tornado.

  “No problem. Dakota was with her for most of the time. She just stepped out to stretch her legs and get a snack.”

  Journey sat on the sofa next to her, then stared down at Arielle. “How is she? How’s my baby?” Journey wanted to wake Arielle, but she seemed so peaceful. Instead, she kissed her cheek and ran her hand over her daughter’s head. “I could’ve lost her,” she sobbed. “I don’t know what I—”

  “She’s okay. She’s been checked out by a doctor. For the most part, she’s fine, except for a bruise on her leg. She’s hoarse—I guess from screaming—but other than that, she’s her usual bubbly self.”

  “Thank goodness. I was so scared.”

  “Have you been to see Laz yet?”

  Journey shook her head. How was she going to face him after their argument that morning and what he’d just been through?

  Geneva released a long breath and sat back with her hand covering her rounded belly. “He’s mad as hell, Jay. From what we know, he’s going to be fine. They were talking about keeping him overnight because of low blood pressure, and his heart rate was really high.”

  “I gotta go see him. Can you stay with Arielle a little longer?”

  “Of course,” Geneva said just as Myles walked in, and she smiled at him. “Hey, baby. Thanks for finding my sister.”

  “No problem,” he said, kissing Geneva’s lips. “Journey, if you’re ready to see Laz, Kenton can take you to his room. Here, I’ll take Ari.”

  Journey wasn’t ready to let her daughter go, but she kissed her soft cheek before handing her to him. “Thank you both for everything.”

  “No thanks necessary. Good luck with Laz,” Myles said. “Don’t take anything he says too personal.”

  “Ham said that he was really scared today,” Geneva added. “I’m sure my brother-in-law is going to try and take everything that happened today out on you. Stay strong, sis, and be patient with him.”

  Journey nodded. She loved Laz more than anything, and she prayed he would be all right.

  Stay strong.

  The words rattled in her mind as she headed to the door. Yeah, she had to be strong because she had no idea what to expect. As long as Laz was okay, they’d figure out how to get their relationship back on track.

  At least she hoped.

  Chapter Seven

  “I need to get the hell out of here,” Laz grumbled to Hamilton.

  He wanted out of that hospital bed. Not just because he needed to find the bastards who had gunned him down but also because he hated hospitals.

  Over a decade on the police force, and he’d only been shot once. Even then, his bulletproof vest had protected him. But this—getting ambushed in broad daylight after years of giving up his badge—was just crazy.

  “You’re not going anywhere until the doctor says you can leave,” Hamilton said as if he had a say in the matter. “Besides, you look like shit.”

  Laz felt like shit.

  His whole body throbbed like one big pulse, and the irritating beeping coming from the machines he was hooked up to made the situation even worse. At least his low blood pressure had risen out of the danger zone, thanks to the IV that was inserted into the back of his hand.

  But all of that was overshadowed by thoughts of his wife. He couldn’t explain the fear he’d experienced when no one could find her, not even with the GPS chip in her watch. That’s when he freaked out.

  The panic of not knowing where Journey was, along with the physical and emotional pain he and Ari had just gone through, had been the perfect storm that had the hospital staff threatening to sedate him. His active imagination had concocted the worst-case scenario—that whoever had come after him had gone after her.

  Laz breathed a long sigh and closed his eyes. He’d been relieved to get word that they’d found her with Prentice, but the other part of him was mad as hell. She was never supposed to be out of reach. He would’ve understood if she’d been in court, but today—a Saturday—there was no excuse he would accept. She was the last person he wanted to talk to or see.

  “Journey will be here in a minute,” Hamilton said as if reading Laz’s mind. “Like you and Ari, Journey’s been traumatized enough for one day. Try not to act like a total ass.”

  Laz glared at him. In light of the shoot-out, if he was honest with himself, he’d admit that he was relieved that Journey hadn’t been with him and Arielle earlier. He would’ve lost his shit if he’d had to worry about her and his daughter getting caught in the crossfire. But there was no way in hell that she was just as traumatized.

  “Don’t look at me like that.” Hamilton’s deep voice boomed off the walls as he folded his thick arms across his chest.

  At well over six feet tall, he was dressed in a long-sleeved Henley and jeans, looking more relaxed than he usually did at work. At least until he started glaring right back at Laz.

  “Just like you freaked out when Journey had been kidnapped back in the day, that’s how she was when she learned what happened to you and Arielle. You gotta cut her some slack, man.”

  “I don’t have to do shit,” Laz spat, suddenly feeling even more tired than he’d felt moments ago.

  Before Hamilton could respond, his cell phone rang. “I mean it, Laz,” he said before answering the call.

  Whatever, Laz thought. He didn’t need another lecture. He appreciated his friend, but no one understood how he felt about Journey not being here when he needed her. Usually, her presence alone calmed him, which was something he could’ve used hours ago.

  Laz stared across the room at the landscape picture hanging against the butter-yellow wall. A sudden bout of sleepiness hit him. He didn’t know what he would say to his wife. Anger continued to swirl inside of him, and he feared that if she said the wrong thing to him, he might say something he’d regret.

  Now that he knew she was okay, all he wanted to do was close his eyes and pretend the day was just a bad dream.