Paul took his time getting settled in the stack of pillows behind him. Raised and lowered the bed twice before he found the right spot. “I was dog sitting for Winnie and Mr. Higginbotham needed a walk.” He stopped as if waiting for someone to question that. “We went out by Maddie’s place and I saw him.”

Connor didn’t care about protocol or evidence. He wanted an answer. “Evan?”

“I don’t know his name.” Paul waved a hand in the air. “Tall and serious, always frowning at you when you get near Maddie.”

“That’s Evan,” Ben mumbled. “What was he doing?”

“Messing with her front door. It was late, too. Didn’t see any lights on in her house.” He reached for the remote for the bed again and Connor put his hand over it. That seemed to send the message because Paul picked up speed with his storytelling. “I backed away and pretended not to see him, but Mr. Higginbotham barked. The next thing I knew I woke up in here.”

“Evan.” That fucking asshole.

“Right.” Paul nodded before glaring at Ben again. “Did you arrest him?”

“Not yet.”

“Well, Winnie is off getting some clean clothes for me.” Paul shooed Connor’s hand from the remote. The steady buzzing of the motor hummed through the private room as he shifted the mattress to get up. “I’ll come along and help you.”

Connor put a hand on the older man’s shoulder. “Whoa.”

“Stay in bed,” Ben ordered.

“Someone has to watch over Maddie.”

“I will.” And that was a vow to Connor. No more trusting marshals or ignoring his instincts. That mistake could cost Maddie everything.

Paul put a hand to the bandage on his head. “He’s bad news. You get rid of that guy or I will.”

“I’ll do that, too.” No matter what it took.

Chapter 30

Maddie watched the door shut behind Connor. Heard the crunch of his boots on the stones outside. Happiness rushed through her. She smiled because she couldn’t not smile. He made life better. Bigger than that, he made her want to have a life again. Not hiding in shadows. Not wondering what would happen next or if she would make a mistake that sent him running.

He was solid and sexy. A little grumpy, which she loved, but so in tune with her. If she had to travel through the last three years of hell to get to him, it was worth it.

But before she leaped headfirst into a relationship with Connor she needed to be grateful for the one that saved her. She turned around and looked at Evan. He stood a few feet away, gazing around her house and not really paying attention to her.

She thought about his joking. “This is a different side of you.”

“Sure.”

His voice changed from earlier. She reached over and touched his arm to get him to look at her. “Evan?”