Delaney

I’d definitely enjoyed my afternoon shopping with Brook and Chelsea, even if I had been distracted. I’d considered suggesting we stop for cake to improve my mood, but I still hadn’t forgiven Chelsea for choosing carrot cake over tuxedo cake a few days earlier. My argument with Sebastian was still bothering me. I completely understood why he didn’t trust Cody. It was hard for me to trust him. Sebastian was also feeling overprotective. What bothered me was his insinuation that I was acting like a victim with Cody again and letting him manipulate me.

I was almost at my car when a body slammed into me from the side, knocking me into the wall. Pain shot through my body as my shoulder hit the wall, and to my utter shock, I realized it was Cody who’d just attacked me. When I went to scream, he clamped his hand over my mouth.

Panic set in as I struggled to free myself from his hold.

“Laney!” he said urgently. “We need to get in a building. There’s a woman with a gun, and she was pointing it at you.”

My eyes widened as his words registered. If Cody was to be believed, he was saving me. Still, I hesitated. He could just as easily be lying to get me away from there.

“It looks like the backdoor to that restaurant is open,” Cody told me, pointing to our left and removing his hand from my mouth.

We hurried into the restaurant before speaking again.

“You really saw someone?” I asked him.

He nodded. “It was a woman. She had red hair, lighter than yours and cut short. I didn’t get a really good look at her, but she had a tattoo of some flower on her hand. Does she sound familiar?”

I shook my head. “We should call the police.”

“What are you doing back here?” a woman demanded when she walked into the back part of the restaurant where we’d entered. “We’re not open until five.”

“I saw someone pointing a gun at her, so we hurried in here,” Cody explained.

“Oh my!” the woman exclaimed, hurrying to lock the back door. “We’d better call the police.”

I stifled a groan, wondering how long I’d have to wait for the police to arrive this time.

“What were you doing out there?” I asked Cody, still suspicious of his all too opportune arrival.

“I guess this doesn’t look good,” he admitted, flashing his charming smile. Cody didn’t look much different from the last time I’d seen him. His blond hair was still a little on the long side, and his twin dimples were still prominent when he smiled. He still had the same lean muscular build and sparkling blue eyes. It was strange seeing him after so many years.

My eyes narrowed because that charming smile and those good looks had always been what he used to get his way. “It looks even worse that you haven’t answered my question.”

“I went to a baby store near here to buy a car seat. I wanted to have a seat so I can pick my son up as soon as everything is sorted out. We’re still waiting on DNA testing. Ty recommended this store,” he explained.

I nodded, not sure I trusted him yet, but figuring it would be easy enough to confirm.

As it turned out, the police arrived shortly after we called them. Apparently, a woman on the street with a gun was a top priority. They quickly took our statements. I had nothing to offer, but Cody gave them a description and details on the gun. Cody also admitted it looked like a BB gun. The police told us to stay put while they searched the area.

“Sorry, I didn’t mention it probably being a BB gun,” he began. “I didn’t want to take any chances.”

I waved off his apology. “I prefer to avoid assuming I’m safe when it comes to someone pointing a gun at me. I need to call Sebastian,” I told him. Sebastian was expecting me back at his place soon. With everything going on, he’d worry if I was too late getting back there, and I wasn’t sure how long we’d have to stay here. When I started to lift my left arm to reach into my purse on my right shoulder, pain shot all the way down to my fingertips, and I let out a hiss.

“Are you okay?” Cody asked with what seemed like genuine concern.

Gritting my teeth, I shook my head. “I hurt my shoulder when you pushed me against the wall.”

“Sorry about that,” he muttered. “I just panicked when I saw the gun.”

“It’s really okay,” I assured him. “I’m surprised I didn’t realize how much it hurt before now.”

“Adrenaline will do that to you,” he explained. “Let’s get you to a table, and you can look through your purse with your good hand. You’re starting to look a little pale.”

I nodded and moved to a table so I could find my phone. The woman who’d originally yelled at us came out with water and some bread. “You look like you’re about to faint,” she remarked. “Try eating something. The kitchen will be open soon, and I’ll get you some real food.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I assured her. “I’m not terribly hungry.”

“Let me know if you change your mind,” she told me before heading back to the kitchen.

I finally found my phone at the bottom of my purse. There were four messages from Sebastian, but I decided I’d just call him. I was starting to feel a little shaky.

Sebastian answered on the first ring. “Hey, beautiful. Please tell me you’ve forgiven me.”

“I’ve got someone else to be mad at,” I assured him.

Something in my voice must have set off alarm bells for him because he sounded really worried. “Are you okay? What happened?”

My shoulder was now throbbing, and I had to grit my teeth and take several deep breaths before responding.

“Laney?” Cody asked, his voice sounding tinny and somewhat distant.

“I think I need to go to the hospital,” I said, not sure if I was telling Cody or Sebastian. Cody moved closer to keep me from falling over and gently took the phone from me.