Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 141556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 708(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 141556 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 708(@200wpm)___ 566(@250wpm)___ 472(@300wpm)
Someone who loves him enough to risk everything.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” he says quietly.
“Probably not.” I walk back to him and take his hand. “But I did. And I’m not sorry.”
“Saint.”
“I’m not sorry Roman is dead either.” The admission comes out easier than it should. “I know I should be. I know I should feel something other than relief. But I don’t. He was going to kill us. He was going to kill you. I would’ve watched him bleed out on this floor for hours if that’s what it took to keep you safe.”
His hand tightens around mine. “You’re not that person.”
“Maybe I am now.” I glance toward the window, where red and blue lights are painting the driveway. “Maybe you made me into someone who can watch a man die and feel nothing but relief that it’s over. Or maybe it’s just that he was a bad person and I don’t think a single soul is going to miss him.”
“No.” He pulls me close again, and this time when his arms come around me, it feels different. It feels like he’s the one seeking comfort instead of providing it. “No. You’re still you. You’re still Saint. Don’t let this place, don’t let me, turn you into something you’re not.”
It’s too late for that. Has been too late since the moment he pulled me into his truck and drove me to that cabin in the mountains. Since the moment I fell in love with my captor and chose to protect him instead of myself.
The dining room door slams open, and agents pour in, shouting commands with their guns drawn. I recognize Agent Reese among them, her sharp eyes taking in the scene efficiently. I’ve seen her a few times at Porter family parties. She spots Roman’s body. Kade on the floor. The rest of us standing in various states of shock.
Her gaze lands on Calder and me, and something flickers across her face. Understanding, maybe. Or suspicion.
“Where’s the wire?” she asks, moving toward us.
Calder opens his mouth, but I speak first.
“It came off during the struggle. I don’t know where it went.”
It’s a lie. An obvious lie. But Reese doesn’t push. She stares at me for a long moment, then nods and turns away to coordinate with her team. Sawyer had taken the device while Calder questioned me. We met eyes over Calder’s shoulder in a moment of understanding.
Maybe she knows. Perhaps she doesn’t care. Maybe having Roman Bishop dead is enough, even if it means losing some evidence against Calder in the process.
I don’t know. Don’t care.
All I care about is the man standing next to me, alive and whole and mine.
An EMT tries to approach Roman’s body, but it’s clear there’s nothing to be done. He’s already gone, eyes staring sightlessly at the ceiling, blood soaking into the expensive Persian rug beneath him. Kade is being led away by agents, his hands behind his back. His expression is blank, almost as if he’s numb. He doesn’t look at any of us as they take him out. Doesn’t acknowledge that he saved us all by pulling that trigger.
Levi and Sawyer are being questioned separately. Agents are taking statements and documenting everything. Elena is escorted to another room by another pair of agents. This is going to be a long night. Probably a long week. But it’s over. The worst is over.
“We should go,” Calder says quietly. “Before they decide to arrest me too.”
“They’re not going to arrest you.” I lean into his side, feeling bone-deep exhaustion settling over me. “You were working with them. And I’m hoping Reese will take care of you.”
“Had.” He looks down at me. “Past tense. Because someone destroyed the wire that was recording all my cooperation.”
“Then I guess we’ll figure it out together.” I take his hand and lace our fingers together. “Whatever comes next. We do it together.”
For a moment, he doesn’t respond. Just stares at our joined hands like they’re some kind of miracle. Like he still can’t quite believe I chose this. Chose him.
Then he lifts my hand to his lips and presses a kiss to my knuckles. “Together,” he agrees. “Always.”
Agent Reese approaches us again, and this time her expression is harder to read. “I need you both to come in for questioning. Tonight.”
“Of course,” Calder says. Always polite, even now.
“And Calder?” She pauses. “We’re going to need to talk about that immunity agreement. Given the circumstances.”
His jaw tightens, but he nods. “Understood.”
Around us, the FBI continues processing the scene, taking photos, collecting evidence, and documenting the end of Roman Bishop’s reign of terror.
I can’t believe it’s over. It doesn’t feel real.
We make it back to the house, and I run up to change into something comfortable, since I assume we’ll be spending a long time at whatever passes for an FBI office in Black Hollow Creek. The police station maybe? Who knows. I’m drying my face when Calder enters the bathroom, still wearing the same clothes from earlier. He drops a black duffel at my feet.