Truth Avenged (Green Division Series Book 1) by Ashley Monahan Read Free Book Online

and relax.  Go home and get some sleep.  I’ll catch up with you tomorrow; I need you to file a first report of injury.  Another one.”
    “ Will do.” 
    Kerr hung up.  Tuck was known for his heroic actions.  Others would call them outright stupid.  To him, in most situations it was the “right” thing to do.
    Tuck didn ’t waste any time when he walked through the door of his old Victorian house.  He took a shower, shut off his cell phone, and passed out before 8 p.m.

Chapter Three
     
     
    6 a.m. the following morning.
    God, couldn ’t they give her more pain meds to knock her ass back out?  Ugh .
    “ Paul.”  She nudged his head not so gently with her elbow.
    “ What the…?”  Paul’s head lay on the bed next to her, his body slumped over in what had to be the most uncomfortable chair in the hospital.  He’d spent the night at her side after booting her parents, telling them to get some rest.  “Good morning to you too.”
    “ Go home.”
    “ Not a chance, Chance.”
    You are so lame.”  
    “ I love you too.”  He leaned over her bed, took her face gently in his hands, and kissed her cheek.  “How are you feeling?”
    “ Like I’ve been shot.”
    “ I guess you’re feeling about right then.” 
    Paul and Chance had a give and take relationship.  His banter would always bring a smile to her face.  If one listened to the idle gossip at the Tranton Times , the two of them had a steamier sex life than any couple portrayed in an erotic novel.  He was yummy and the women at her work were green with envy.  He looked good even at 6 a.m. with bed head and stubble on his chin.  At thirty nine, he looked more distinguished than he should, Anderson Cooper white hair matched his sterling silver eyes.  His build was sleek and toned, a result of the massive amount of time he spent in the local gym.
    “ You have a lil’ spot on your shirt.”  She pointed to his white dress shirt and baby blue tie, both of which were stained in brown.  A lot of brown.
    “ Coffee.  Dog.  Brakes.”
    She laughed.
    “Owe—ah, son of a—don’t make me laugh.”  She caught her breath and tried to hide the pain that seared through her like a hot iron.
    Paul pulled his chair as close to the bed as he could and then looked down at the floor.
    “ What’s wrong?”  She detected his instant change of mood.
    “ I can’t help but feel responsible for all this.”  He brought his hand to his face.  “If I hadn’t given you the assignment, you wouldn’t be in that bed.  It’s my fault.  It’s on me.  I should have never made you Outdoor Contributor, doing all these bullshit pieces by yourself.  I’m sorry.”
    “ It’s not your fault.”
    “ You shouldn’t have gotten bumped from your position in the first place—so Malcolm, that illiterate jackass, could get the job his daddy wanted him to have.”  Anger boiled in his voice.
    “ I could have taken the job you lined up for me in Portland.  I made the decision not to.  It was my sacrifice to make.”
    “ Because you didn’t want to move away from Lyman.”
    “ That’s why I stayed.  It was worth the tradeoff.  How could I leave?  You’d be lost.”
    “ I would.  You’re my girl.” 
    Chance rolled onto her side painfully so she could face him.
    “The game warden sergeant is supposed to be here after eight to talk to you, if you’re up for it.”
    “ He won’t believe me.”
    “ You were shot, they are going to believe someone shot you.  You know, with the bullet hole in your side an’ all.” 
    She shook her head.  “ They’ll commit me.”
    “ You were shot by poachers.  Why is that so unbelievable?”
    “ That’s not the part that‘s unbelievable.” 
    He waited for her to continue.
    “So, let’s hear it.  Tell me your story.  I’ll give you feedback like a proper editor would.”
    “ Do you believe in ghosts?”
    Paul ’s face cocked to one side and his eyes squinted.
    “ See, you‘re looking