“Because the paparazzi love a great story. And there’s a shit ton of them outside.”

Chapter 19

“I’m going to kill them.”

“You can’t kill them, buddy. With that many cameras, someone would catch us, and you know what would happen then. I’m too pretty for jail. It wouldn’t go well for me.”

Easton was not in the mood for Graham’s sense of humor right then.

When it was decided that all Easton really needed was rest, they’d discharged him and sent him home to rest in his own bed. He hadn’t liked leaving River at the hospital, but she’d been sleeping too, and they’d convinced him to go home. Graham had offered to drive with him back to the hospital the following morning, only to find a swarm of camera crews and equipment vans clustered outside the tiny hospital’s front entrance.

If Easton had known what he’d be leaving her to face alone, he never would have left.

“How long have they been here?” he asked with a snarl as Jonah strode over, his deputy at his heels. Easton was standing on the far side of the parking lot, fuming, because so far, Graham hadn’t let him closer. It wasn’t only River everyone was shouting about to the poor doctors and nurses coming in and out on their shift change. Easton’s name was being shouted too.

“I think they all took the same plane,” Jonah informed them. “They showed up about an hour ago. A few of them got on her floor before security pushed them back out, but no one was ready for this level of attention.”

“Security” consisted of two very hassled young men who up until that point were used to spending their time playing cards in a small room off the main entrance.

“I’ve called for another squad car for backup,” Jonah continued. “The only one nearby is Fish and Game, but Garcia’s partner said they would help.”

Someone turned their head, and that was all it took. Like an ocean wave crashing around him, suddenly he was surrounded by the paparazzi, lights and microphones in his face. Unfamiliar voices yelled questions at him, each louder than the last.

“Easton Lockett. Can you tell us how River is doing?”

“Easton, are you and River Lane in a romantic relationship?”

“What about Sweeny, Easton? Is he concerned about how much time you and River spent together?”

Easton didn’t even know who that was.

“Is it true you saved her life on the mountain, Easton?”

“She saved mine,” Easton said. He never should have said anything, because the roar of questions that followed his words was overwhelming. Lights flashed, blinding him no matter which way he turned. Graham kept his body shoved in front of Easton, protective and loyal to the end, but neither of them were wired for this kind of thing.