Page 41 of Rescuing Baylee
Austin PD had officially given them the all-clear to return home. Multiple sources had reported that Hector’s death was the culmination of a power grab gone wrong. It had started with his brother Chino going to war with another local gang for territory. Chino’s woman had been killed, and Chino had lashed out in a very public way.
When Chino’s brother tried to avenge his death, he’d made even more of a spectacle, and it had been nipped in the bud.
Landon had messaged a CI that had contacted him early in the investigation, and ‘Haze’ had confirmed that they had been given a hands-off order.
They thought it was the Mexican Mafia that had taken care of business and calmed things down. Even though they were a smaller group, they were strong and cunning, always looking for a way to advance their territory.
Baylee let Siggy out of his cat carrier and filled his bowl with food. He would probably hide for a while.
Wandering through her own space, she carried the backpack through the hallway. Stopping, she loaded the washer with dirty clothes, but didn’t start it yet. It wasn’t a full load.
When she’d asked Landon about attending the funeral of the nurse and doctor that had been killed, he’d shrugged and nodded. “If they’ve removed the hit, I think you’re safe enough. Let me get cleaned up and I’ll take you. The viewing hours are three to seven, right? I’ll be back about five, and I’ll drive you over.”
That gave her a couple of hours to get ready.
Baylee wandered through the rest of her space. Landon had already checked it, but she just wanted to make sure herself. Everything looked in its place. No one had been in here, that she could tell. She set her .380 on the bedside table and headed into the bathroom for her shower.
When she was done, she sank down onto the side of her bed, groaning at the feel of her own mattress. She hadn’t slept well at all since she’d been gone. Maybe she would lay down just for a few minutes.
Baylee woke to someone pounding on her door. She looked down at herself. She hadn’t even pulled panties on before she’d laid down. Glancing at the clock, she cringed. She certainly hadn’t meant to sleep for three hours.
Landon pounded on her door again. “Coming,” she called, cinching the towel around her and jogging down the hall. He was probably a little freaked out that she hadn’t answered.
Baylee pulled the door open, looking up into Landon’s concerned face. “Sorry, sorry… I sat on my bed after the shower and realized how tired I was. Give me just a few minutes.”
Landon stepped in, closed the door, and leaned against it, smiling slightly. He was wearing a gray suit jacket over slacks, and his dark hair was combed tight to his head. The stubble that had been on his jaw was gone, and he smelled like an expensivedepartment store. Baylee grew warm as she realized how tiny the towel actually was. She hadn’t even hesitated to let him in, though. That spoke to how much she trusted him, she supposed.
“You take your time, darlin’. I’m enjoying the show.”
Laughing lightly and blushing hard, Baylee turned to head back down the hallway. But she realized she went a lot slower. And maybe her hips swayed a little. And she didn’t mind him watching.
After she closed the bedroom door, she leaned against it for a minute to catch her breath. Landon Hunter made her pulse race and her body flush, and she really wanted to take time with him. Now that they were out of the crazy situation, maybe he would take some time with her.
They arrived at the funeral home a little later than she wanted, but it was better than not arriving at all. The parking lot was packed, and there was a cop directing traffic through the mess. Baylee hadn’t known Elise Walker well, but it was important for her to be here to pay her respects. Dr. Grant’s service was at the same time, across town, so she’d decided to attend his graveside service tomorrow. She wondered if Catalina had had a service. And not for the first time, she wondered where the baby had gone.
They walked into the funeral home and stood in line to talk to the family. Baylee acknowledged a few people and talked to Dr. Mendez as she was leaving. But she didn’t really want to be social, here. It was time to honor a dedicated nurse’s life.
It took them an hour and a half to get through the line and back out to the car. Landon’s hand rested on her back most of the way, and she appreciated his support. They were quiet as they headed home.
“You’re not feeling guilty about her death, are you?” he asked, his voice rumbly. He accelerated smoothly through the Austin evening.
Baylee glanced at him. “No, not really. I know it was Chino Vega’s fault she died.”
“Okay. Just making sure. You had nothing to do with it. I’m glad you see that.”
“I don’t need to take on any more guilt than I already have,” she murmured.
“I get it.” He paused. “Wasn’t that your boss you were talking to?”
“Yes, it was. She still wants me to work out my week off, so I’ll go back in a few days. It’s crazy to think how fast time has gone by. A lot has happened in a week.”
“It really has. Do you have any reservations about going back?”
She shook her head, glancing at him. “I think I’ll be fine. The ED isn’t my normal assignment. I’m usually a few floors up. I’ll be happy to get back to my kids. We have a few long-term patients that I miss.”
Smiling, she tilted her head to him. “We have this one little girl that is absolutely the sweetest. Tory has a blood disease, so she’s in and out a lot. And we have another little girl that was in a car crash several weeks ago. Multiple broken bones, along with head trauma. She can’t even speak yet, but she responds to us.”
Landon cocked a smile at her. “Sounds like you really love your job.”