“He’s seeing someone.”

“Oh well. My loss. He’s adorable.” Under her breath, she added, “So is your guy.” She glanced at Nick who stared out the window at the gray, frigid day. “Yum.”

Sam smiled but her heart ached at the thought of what he was about to do for her.

An hour later, Sam watched on television as Nick stood before the press to read the statement she had approved. Off to the side, Christina and Trevor watched anxiously. “I have a brief statement, and then neither I nor Lieutenant Holland will have anything further to say on this subject.”

The gathered reporters all but salivated with anticipation.

Sam muted the TV. She couldn’t bear to listen. Fixating on Nick’s handsome, serious face, she noted how pale and drawn he appeared. He’d suffered serious injuries of his own the day before, and yet taking care of her was his top priority. Despite the firestorm his announcement would set off in both their lives, she wasn’t as freaked out as she would’ve been without him by her side.

Anxious to think about anything other than what Nick was saying to the press and the pounding in her skull, Sam wondered if they’d found Preston yet. Where in the hell would he go? A man like him, used to the creature comforts, wouldn’t last long on the streets. Had he checked into a hotel? Had anyone thought to look into that?

“I need to get back on that case.” She pushed herself up as slowly as she could and then took a moment to contend with the accompanying swell of nausea.

Freddie tapped on the door and came in. “Morning, boss. How’re you doing? What are you doing?”

“I gotta get out of here, Cruz.”

“No way, Lieutenant.” He stepped over to the bed and rested his hands on her shoulders, clearly intending to resettle her in the bed. “You’re supposed to be still.”

Gritting her teeth, she snarled at him. “Remove your fucking hands and get that bag of clothes over there.” She pointed to the bag Celia had brought. “Hurry up. Before Nick gets back.”

Startled by her tone, Freddie jumped back, jostling her in the process.

“The clothes, Cruz.” It was all she could do to get the words out. “Now.”

“If you ask me to dress you, I’ll quit the force.”

“Dream on. Go out to the nurse’s station and sign for my personal effects. Tell them I’m twitchy without my gun since a bunch of gang punks put me here. What if they show up to finish the deal?”

“They aren’t going to give me your stuff.”