My aunt’s friend, Charlie, walks into the emergency entrance at the same time Sebastian, Den, and I do. “Talia, I’m so glad you’re here. I was going to call you once I arrived.”

“Did the hospital call you too?” I ask.

He shakes his head and the hospital’s harsh lighting highlights the contrast of his white hair and dark eyebrows as we walk briskly toward the desk. “A neighbor who knows me called after she dialed 9-1-1.” As we reach the desk, he continues, “Vanessa was beaten pretty badly in the entryway of her building. Probably a mugging, but no one saw or heard anything.”

“The person followed her inside?” Sebastian asks, frowning.

Charlie nods. “Yes, and everything in her purse was scattered all over the floor.”

“What about the security camera?”

Sebastian’s questions add a heavy weight of guilt to my tight chest. I touch his arm and shake my head. “I’m not sure about the hallway, but there’s not any security outside her apartment door. That’s why I texted Elijah. My aunt had asked me for some recommendations. I wish I had called and asked her more questions.” Pausing, I ask, “Did they take anything?”

“Her wallet wasn’t taken but her phone is missing. The police think it’s a robbery gone bad.”

“Why did they take her phone but not her wallet?”

Charlie turns to Sebastian to answer him. “Unfortunately the light was out in the hallway. It’s possible the thieves looked for her wallet in the dark, but couldn’t find it.”

Turning to the nurse who just walked back to the desk, I step forward. “I received a call that my aunt, Vanessa Granger, was admitted earlier this evening. Can you please tell her doctor that Talia Blake is here to discuss her condition?”

“Yes, I’ll do that now,” she says, the loose bun on top of her head bouncing with her movement as she picks up the phone.

“I’m assuming the police filed a report.” Looking at Charlie, Sebastian pulls his phone out of his pocket. “Do you remember the police officer’s name—?”

“You’ll have to go outside to use that, sir,” the nurse interrupts him, the phone’s handset pressed to her ear. “No cell phone use in this area.”

“I’m sorry.” Charlie shakes his head. “I don’t remember the officer’s name.”

Sebastian rests his hand on my shoulder. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to call my contact and get a copy of the police report.”

Once Sebastian walks away, I start to ask my aunt’s friend what he remembered from the crime scene, but someone to my right says, “Excuse me, are you Mrs. Granger’s niece?”

I turn to a thin man about my height as he pulls wire-rimmed glasses from his white doctor’s coat and sets them on his nose. “I’m Doctor Zimmer.”

“Yes, I’m Talia. Can you please give me an update on my aunt? Is she conscious now?” The doctor nods and I exhale deeply, so relieved.

“Mrs. Granger is conscious and was finally able to consent to her own care. Her pain level was quite high. She’s stabilized, but heavily medicated. Whoever attacked her inflicted quite a bit of damage. We’ll have to wait for some of the swelling to go down to determine if she’ll need surgery. For now we’re just keeping her as comfortable as possible.”

“Surgery?” Tears spill down my cheeks and the baby starts to squirm. I rub my hand over my belly a couple of times, knowing the little one must be sensing my anxiety. Charlie takes my hand and tucks it around his arm, lending me his support as the doctor glances down at the tablet in his hand.

He raises his spectacles back to me. “It’s possible her jaw might be fractured. It’s hard to tell with the initial X-ray. We’ll have to let some of the swelling go down and try again to make sure she doesn’t have any micro fractures that can’t heal on their own. She also has a slight concussion, three cracked ribs, and her left wrist is fractured.”

I close my eyes briefly and squeeze Charlie’s arm. I want whoever did this to feel every bit of my aunt’s pain ten times over. “Can I see her now?”

The doctor nods his sympathy. “Follow me. You may have a few minutes. She may or may not recognize you, so be aware of that.”

Once we reach my aunt’s room, the doctor turns to us outside the door. “Your aunt’s pretty battered, Mrs. Blake. I just want you to be prepared.” Flicking his gaze to Den and Charlie, he says, “Family only right now, gentlemen.”

Charlie dips his head in understanding and takes a step back, but Den steps right beside me, his British accent crisp. “Then I’m family.”

The doctor stiffens at Den’s I-don’t-give-a-rat’s-ass-about-your-rules-response, and before he can say anything, I clasp Den’s big hand. “Den and Charlie are family, Doctor Zimmer.” I take a steadying breath to prepare myself, and Den’s hand folds fully around mine. I swallow and look at the doctor. “We’re ready to go in.”

Nothing could prepare me for the sight of my aunt’s face. Half her face is covered in gauze and the other half is swollen and full of cuts and bruises. And that’s just what I can see from the doorway.

Doctor Zimmer steps forward. “Mrs. Granger, your niece is here.”

My stomach is in knots and I fight back the sudden nausea that rushes forth. I must’ve tightened my hold, because Den wraps his arm around my shoulders. Pulling me to his side, he whispers in my ear, “You can do this, Talia. No matter how hard this is to see, she needs you to be strong right now. She needs her family.”

Swallowing, I step forward to her bedside. Both my aunt’s eyes are black, her nose is swollen, her left arm’s in a splint, and I see blood stains among the silver streaks in her dark hair. “Aunt Vanessa? It’s Talia.” I gently touch her uninjured hand. “I’m so sorry for what’s happened. I—I just wanted you to know I’m here.”

Her eyes flutter open and when recognition flickers in her brown bloodshot gaze, it takes supreme effort not to cry. Clearing my throat to stop my voice from cracking, I speak in a calm tone. “Doctor Zimmer says I can only stay a minute, but I just wanted you to know you’re not alone. Charlie’s here too—” Big hands fold over my shoulders and Sebastian’s comforting smell of bergamot and cypress envelopes me in a blanket of support. I melt into his hold, absorbing his quiet strength. “And Sebastian is here as well.”

My aunt’s fingers lift and then fall, gently grazing my belly. I bite back a sob. “And of course baby-on-board. We’re all here for you.”

Tears start to trickle down her temples, and I sniff back my own tears, running my fingers over hers on the bed. My aunt lifts her hand and slides her fingers over my belly once more before gesturing to the door.

I shake my head. “I don’t know what you’re trying to say.”

After she points to the door again, this time jerking her eyes in the same direction, Sebastian says quietly, “I think she’s telling you that she doesn’t like the baby in the hospital.”

My aunt looks at Sebastian and nods.

He squeezes my shoulders. “I’m in agreement with you, Vanessa. I’m taking Talia home, but she’ll be back for a visit tomorrow. Did you see the person’s face who did this to you?” When she shakes her head, he says, “I want you to know that I’ve already talked to the police and plan to work closely with them. We’ll find whoever did this.”

Sebastian’s tone had turned to steel with his last statement, and the look of appreciation in my aunt’s pained eyes makes it hard to keep from bawling. I hate that she’s kicking me out, but I don’t want to agitate her with worry. The meds must be really taking effect because she sighs as if in relief, her eyes shuttering slightly. I nod my grudging understanding of her wishes. “I’m going now. I’m sorry you’re in so much pain. Get some rest. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Charlie and Den follow Sebastian and me out, while Doctor Zimmer stays to check my aunt’s vitals.

“I know it’s not what you want, Talia, but Vanessa is right,” Charlie says once Den pulls the door closed. “She would never forgive herself if you and the baby picked up something from spending too much time in the hospital.” I start to speak, but he rests his hand on my shoulder, his gaze kind, but firm. “I’ll stay. Do what you do best; help your husband find the person responsible.”

I glance at the stubborn set of my husband’s jaw, knowing he’s not going to back down about me leaving, then look at Charlie. “If you’ll send me updates on her condition, then I’ll work the case. Aunt Vanessa recently asked me if I could recommend a good security camera. Do you know why she felt like she needed one?”

“I know she felt like she was being followed a few months ago.” Charlie’s thick, dark eyebrows elevate. “She did start keeping a journal after she recovered from lead poisoning, because she was worried her memory recall wasn’t going to improve after the lead was purged from her system. Maybe she documented any recent concerns in there?” He pulls a key ring from his pocket and removes a key, holding it out. “She mentioned journaling at night, so my guess is…she keeps the journal in her nightstand or the end table by the sofa.”

Of course I didn’t know she’d been keeping a journal. I hardly know anything going on in my aunt’s life lately. Swallowing back the lump of guilt expanding in my throat, I take the key. “Thank you.”

Once Sebastian walks off with Den to discuss the best person to guard my aunt’s hospital room, Charlie folds my fingers around the key. “I want you to know that several weeks ago, over a long dinner with my husband—that included several glasses of wine, I might add—your aunt confessed that she unknowingly put you in danger as a young teen with a drug dealing predator living next door. She also admitted to hiring someone to destroy your engagement with your co-worker at the Tribune.”

“She claimed she didn’t believe Nathan was good enough for me,” I say in a flat tone. “I learned all of that at the hospital. Remember when you said the meds they gave her made my aunt aggressive?”

He winces. “Now I understand why you couldn’t look your aunt in the eye while she dealt with the after affects of the lead poisoning.” Sympathy fills the creases on his face as he clasps my shoulders. “You shouldn’t feel an ounce of guilt for your reaction to her transgressions, Talia. I consider Vanessa family, so I say this with love; she needed to experience a small slice of the abandonment and betrayal that you felt because of her actions.” Releasing me, his empathetic gaze holds mine. “Your aunt loves you dearly. This is one-hundred-percent true, and she feels deep regret for the pain she caused you. Once you’re mentally ready, I hope that you’ll consider giving Vanessa another chance. I think you’ll be surprised how much she has learned from her mistakes. Until then, I’m happy to be the thread that ties you together.”

The tears finally come as I step forward and hug him. “I appreciate it. It has been so hard trying to reconcile my head with my heart. Coming tonight was never in question. She’s family. Our past issues aside, I just want Aunt Vanessa to recover as quickly as possible.”

Folding his arms around me in a bear hug, he speaks softly next to my ear. “Vanessa is a tough lady. I’m sure just knowing that you came has made a world of difference in her desire to pull through this. Just keep your mind away from worries about her by helping Sebastian, okay?”

Stepping back, I take a deep breath. “Thank you, Charlie. You’ve got my number, so please text me with any updates, no matter how small. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He looks at Sebastian who’s now waiting with Den. “Make sure she takes care of herself.”

Sebastian clasps my hand and pulls me to his side. “That’s a given. Thanks for being here for Vanessa. We truly appreciate it. Don’t be alarmed when a man named Theo Connelly shows up here in a half hour. Until we find who did this, he’ll be Vanessa’s security.”

Nodding his appreciation, he waves us on. “Go get some sleep. Between Theo and myself, we’ve got your aunt covered.”

As we walk into our apartment, I’m surprised to see everything has been put away. Even the decorations were taken down. “You’d never know a party was going strong here an hour and a half ago,” I say quietly.

Sebastian wraps his arm around my waist and steps us into the living room. Kissing my temple, he murmurs, “Mina said all the gifts are in the corner of the guest bedroom.”

I glance up at him, feeling so tired I might just fall into bed the second we walk into our room. “Please tell Mina and Cass thank you for taking care of cleaning up.”

“You’re welcome.”

I turn at the sound of Cass’s voice to see Calder and her walking off the elevator pulling a suitcase behind them. She walks right up to me before I have a chance to ask why she’s here.

“What?” She says, tucking my hair behind my ear. “You didn’t think I was going to let you go through this without me, did you?” Hooking her arm in mine, she tugs me toward my bedroom. “Talk to me about your aunt as you wash your face.”

“Have Elijah take over the finalization of the integration,” I say to Calder once Cass and Talia disappear into our bedroom. “He knows the new system better than anyone. As my partner, you have sign-off authority on any BLACK Security business. Support Elijah as best you can, but I may need you to be available to help me run down leads on this bastard who attacked Talia’s aunt.”

“You know I’m in,” my cousin says. “I’ll convey the message to Elijah and will act in whatever capacity you need me to. How’s her aunt?”

I cut my gaze back to him. “Someone used Vanessa as a punching bag. Talia managed to keep it together in front of her aunt, but I could tell she was torn up inside. Seeing someone you care about in that much pain is its own special hell. Thank you for coming back tonight. She needs the extra support right now.”

Calder’s light brown eyebrows lift. “Cass wasn’t having it any other way. We’re here for the duration, Bash. I hope you’re okay with that.”

I drop my hand on his shoulder and smirk. “That just means I don’t have to come get you if I need backup. Seriously though…thanks, Cald.” I release him and rub the back of my neck, trying to ease the tension. “I’m concerned what the stress of this will do to her and the baby. Her aunt doesn’t want her at the hospital. She’s worried about her niece getting sick. Charlie asked Talia to help me find the person who hurt her aunt.”

“Then encourage Talia to help us investigate. Not only will it keep her mind occupied and hopefully off her aunt’s condition, the investigation will go much faster with several of us working on different parts at the same time. I think it’s a win-win idea.”

I clench my jaw, then grate, “What I want to do is put Talia and our unborn child in a protective bubble until this bastard who attacked her aunt is found.”

“Because your wife would be so happy twiddling her thumbs?” Calder raises his eyebrow. “You know Talia thrives when she’s investigating. It’s not just her passion; it’s her outlet. She needs this. And you need to be okay with letting her do everything she can to help her aunt.”

Expelling a heavy sigh, I shake my head. “I know. While Talia and I check out her aunt’s apartment tomorrow, you touch base with Elijah, then head over to see the Chief to convince him to put a rush on the crime scene analysis. You can get the police report from him at the same time.”

“You know the Chief better, Bash. You should plead the case. Cass will go with Talia. She’s been saying how she wanted to see her friend in full investigator mode.” His mouth crooks. “Guess this will be a crash course.”

I frown, folding my arms. “Now that her family is at the center of her investigation, it’ll be Talia on steroids.”

Calder rubs the scruff on his jaw. “Cass is here for more than just moral support. She’ll make sure Talia doesn’t overdo it. She has good instincts and knows her friend best. Den will be with them too, so try not to worry too much. Once I’ve touched base with Elijah, I’ll canvass the neighborhood to see if any security cameras exist in other buildings around her aunt’s apartment.”

The lights turn off in our bedroom and Cass walks out, her finger pressed to her lips. Once she reaches us, she whispers, “Today took its toll, Sebastian. I would turn her alarm off and let her sleep until her body wakes up on its own.”

I set my mouth in a grim line. “Get some rest, you two. The sooner we catch the culprit, the better.”

Talia barely moves when I get into bed, but that doesn’t stop me from tucking her close to me. Resting her head on my pillow, she takes my hand and folds my arm protectively around her belly. “She looked so pitiful,” she says, her voice shaking. “It was so hard not to cry.”

“Let the tears flow now, sweetheart. Tomorrow we go to work finding the person responsible.”

She looks over her shoulder, eyes glistening with tears. “You’re not going to try to keep me in the office?”

I smirk at the surprise in her voice and kiss the tip of her nose. “I know better, Little Red. As long as you don’t put yourself or the baby at risk, I’ll support you. You’ve got a key. May as well use it. Close your eyes and get some sleep. This sadistic bastard’s going to wish he never messed with our family.”