24. Hadley

24

HADLEY

H adley stared out the window of Ridge's truck as he drove. Her left arm rested in a sling, and she cradled it with her right hand. Remaining completely still wasn't doing much for the lightning-sharp pain shooting from her shoulder.

"Hadley, I don't think we should go," Cheyenne said from the seat beside her in the back of the truck cab. "You need to rest."

"I'll rest when I know they're okay."

"Brett said everyone is fine."

"No, he said everyone was still alive," Hadley corrected. "I can read between the lines."

"He promised no one we know was injured. They're most worried that Thea could have re-injured her lung."

Hadley turned to her sister and let a fraction of the ache escape from the confines of her chest. It was growing and poisoning her entire body. "I feel like this is my fault."

"It absolutely is not," Cheyenne said.

"Not like all of it, but some. I mean, they took Thea while she was with me, and I couldn't stop them. I was useless."

Cheyenne rested her hand on Hadley's uninjured shoulder. "You did everything you could, and she's going to be okay. If anything, you acted quickly enough that you might have saved her life."

Hadley let out a huff. Gage had been right, but no one had known what to watch out for. They hadn't seen the danger coming until it was facing them on the highway with nowhere to go.

Ridge turned onto the drive leading to the Howards' garage. Emergency vehicles were parked all over the lot, and first responders swarmed the area.

Thea sat on a gurney next to an ambulance where a paramedic spoke intently to her. Brett was right beside her, his hand rubbing over her back.

As soon as Ridge parked the truck, Hadley bolted straight for her friend. "Thea!"

A police officer stood between her and her friend, holding out his arms. "You can't be in here, Miss."

"That's my friend," Hadley said, pointing to Thea .

Another officer walked up and whispered to the man barring her way, and he lowered his hand. Hadley dashed straight for Thea, holding her aching arm against the jostling.

"Thea, are you okay?" Hadley asked through clenched teeth. She was going to pay for running with a hurt arm later.

"I'm okay. Are you okay?" Thea said, reaching for Hadley.

Hadley waved a hand in the air. "I'm fine. Just a bump on the head and a scratch on my arm. Where is Gage? Is he okay?" Scanning the lot, she spotted Gage, and her heart sank like a lead weight in her chest. Two police officers and two men in full SWAT gear flanked him as they led him from the building with his hands cuffed behind his back.

A guttural sound rumbled up her throat, and she clamped her hand over her mouth.

Not Gage. Please, not Gage.

Hadley took off at a run toward him. The need to be beside him propelled her forward, dodging everyone in her way.

As soon as Gage spotted her, he pulled against the officers holding his arms, leaning toward her. "Hadley."

Her name on his lips broke the floodgates she'd been fortifying all afternoon. A sob broke from her chest just as she lunged for him, wrapping her arm around his neck. "I'm so glad you're okay. "

"Are you okay? I'm so sorry. I didn't know what was happening until it was too late, and I didn't know you were in the car."

"I'm fine, but what are they doing?"

Gage pressed closer to her and rested his cheek against her hair. "I'm okay. It's fine. They said we have to talk."

Hadley reared back. "This isn't fine! What happened?"

Gage glanced over Hadley's shoulder to Brett and Thea. Why wasn't he answering her question?

Brett cleared his throat. "He shot Cain, but he was defending himself. They probably need to question him."

Gage shot someone. Was Cain still alive? What happened to lead Gage to shoot him? The enormity of the situation clogged Hadley's throat.

She looked back and forth between the officers restraining Gage. "This isn't right. He was only trying to help his sister! Please!" she begged.

Gage leaned to the side, trying to catch her attention. "Hadley, it's okay. I'll be fine. Are you hurt?"

Hadley focused on Gage's dark-brown eyes. He was eerily calm for a man restrained by handcuffs and at the mercy of the justice system. "I… I hurt my shoulder in the wreck, but I'm okay."

Gage's nostrils flared as he studied the brace holding her arm. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen. I put you in danger. "

"It's not your fault. I would never blame you." Her words were sure, and she'd beg him to believe them if necessary. "They can't arrest you. This is all wrong."

Gage leaned in, pressing his forehead against hers. "It's okay. I look good in orange."

"How can you joke right now?"

"Ma'am, please step aside," one of the officers said. "We just need to question him right now."

Hadley looked up at him as a single tear raced down her cheek. He'd been through so much, and he was trying to choose the right path now. Why was this happening to him when his intentions were good?

"Okay." Hadley's voice shook as she backed up a step.

Another officer walked over. It was Dawson Keller. She'd been getting to know him since she started hanging out at Beau's garage.

Dawson held up his hands. "Easy, boys. We don't need the cuffs."

One of the officers loosened the cuffs until Gage's hands fell free.

"Sorry about that. Standard procedure," Dawson explained.

"Thanks, man," Gage said as he reached for Hadley. With his arms around her, she finally took a full breath .

"They said I need to be interviewed by the detective, but I'll call you when it's over."

"Not a chance. I'm coming with you."

"I have no idea how long this is going to last, and you need to take care of your shoulder. You shouldn't be sitting around at the police station."

Hadley lifted her chin, determined not to be swayed. "I said I'm coming with you."

Gage shook his head. "You're stubborn, sunshine."

A man in a paramedic uniform walked up to Gage and slapped a hand on his shoulder. The man's warm smile said he didn't see Gage as a criminal or a threat. "Hey, man. I was wondering why you missed our morning spar."

Gage huffed. "Kinda got my hands tied."

The man rested a bag on the back of a police vehicle and pulled out gloves. "You need any medical assistance?"

"Nope. Not a scratch," Gage said. He jerked his head toward Hadley. "Travis, this is my girlfriend, Hadley."

She sucked in a quick breath at that word. Girlfriend. She was finally in a relationship, and things were kicking off with a bang.

"Hadley, this is Travis. We train in mixed martial arts together."

Travis had a tall, strong build, naturally golden skin, and a friendly face that contrasted with Gage's usual gruff expressions. He shook Hadley's hand warmly. "He keeps me on my toes."

"I'm glad to know Gage has friends. He told me he didn't have any."

Travis coughed to cover up his laugh. "Dude, I thought we had something special."

Gage shrugged. "Speaking of friends. You think you could give me a lift home from the station later? Assuming they release me."

"You got it," Travis said.

Hadley raised her finger. "Give me a second. I need to talk to my sister."

Gage nodded. "Do what you have to do. You really don't have to hang around here."

Hadley cuddled up to Gage's side, looking up at him with determination. "I said I'm not leaving you," she whispered.

Gage's jaw tensed, but he finally nodded. "Okay. I'm listening."

She patted his side and smiled. "Good boy. I'll be right back."

Hadley took her time walking over to where Cheyenne was talking to Brett and Thea, who was now lying on her back and strapped to a gurney. "Are you okay?"

"They want to make sure I don't have internal bleeding and that my lung function is good. They're taking me to Cody. "

"Do you need anything? I can pack a bag for you."

Brett nudged Hadley with his elbow. "Cheyenne is going to bring her some things."

Hadley turned to her sister. "Could I get you to loan me a car? Mine is… kinda dead, and I need to go with Gage to the police station."

Cheyenne's shoulders fell. "Of course you can borrow my car. I'll take Ridge's truck to Cody. I'm sorry about your car."

Hadley shrugged her good shoulder. The car was totaled, and it wasn't worth much. Still, maybe insurance could help her get a used car. "I guess it was time to let Violet go. She gave me some good years."

"Are they taking him now?" Ridge asked.

Hadley looked back at Gage who stood talking to an officer beside his cruiser. "I think soon. He has to talk to the detective whenever he finishes doing his business here."

"How long will you be?" Cheyenne asked.

"I have no idea, but I'll keep you posted."

Cheyenne wrapped her arms gently around Hadley's neck, careful not to jostle her injured shoulder. "Be careful. Brett told us Gage helped them out a lot when they needed it. Will you let him know we're grateful?"

Gage acted like he hadn't done anything good in his life, but his careful and quick thinking had probably saved Thea's life. What would she have done if she'd been in his situation? Could she have pulled the trigger in the face of danger?

Yes. She could if other lives were on the line.

"You bet. Just let me tell Gage the plan."

Hadley took deep breaths as she walked back over to Gage. Things were going to be okay, but they still had plenty of hurdles to jump before everything was cleared up.

Gage stared at the ground as the officer spoke, and the deep swells of his chest said whatever they were talking about had him worked up. Nothing about his countenance said he could see the light at the end of this tunnel.

Had she imagined his assurances from just a few moments ago? Was he telling her the whole truth? Was she prepared to get her heart broken by Gage Howard?

No. She couldn't doubt him.

But what if there was more to the story? What if he wouldn't be released or his involvement with his family couldn't be overlooked?

Lord, please calm my heart. Take these doubts away, and help me to trust in Your plan.

When she was a few feet away, Gage looked up. A smile pulled on his lips as soon as he saw her, but the expression was strained.

They'd have time to talk about everything. They just needed to get through this day.