Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 39414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 39414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 197(@200wpm)___ 158(@250wpm)___ 131(@300wpm)
Wyatt makes a low sound that isn’t a laugh. “You’re done.”
The deputy looks at Graham. “Sir, we’re going to need you to come with us.”
Graham’s composure finally cracks. “You can’t— I didn’t— this is—”
Saxon’s voice turns colder. “You should’ve left when you were told.”
The deputies step in. Graham’s eyes cut to me, furious and desperate. “Ellie, you’re making a mistake.”
I lift my chin. “No. I’m correcting one.”
The deputy takes Graham by the arm.
Graham jerks slightly, trying to pull away like he’s never been handled in his life. “Get your hands off me—”
Wyatt moves one step forward.
Saxon catches him with a look. Not a shout. A warning.
Wyatt stops.
Barely.
They walk Graham out.
The bell jingles again, but this time it feels like release.
For a second, no one speaks.
My knees go weak out of nowhere, and Maddie’s hand tightens around my arm. “Breathe,” she murmurs.
I inhale shakily. Exhale.
Ethan gives Wyatt a look—quiet respect, quiet caution. “You did good stopping.”
Wyatt’s jaw flexes. “I shouldn’t have to stop.”
Ethan’s voice stays calm. “But you did.”
Saxon steps closer to Wyatt, voice low enough that it’s private even in a room full of people. “You almost crossed a line.”
Wyatt’s gaze doesn’t flicker. “He crossed it first.”
Saxon’s eyes narrow, but there’s something like understanding under it. “Go cool off. Now.”
Wyatt’s gaze shifts to me.
His eyes soften just a fraction, and it hits me like a punch because I realize he was terrified. Not that Graham would “win,” but that Graham would take something from me again.
Wyatt walks toward me slowly, like he’s approaching something breakable even though he knows I’m not.
Maddie steps back, but not far. Still there. Still solid.
Wyatt stops in front of me, gaze dragging over my face like he’s checking for damage. His voice drops. “You okay?”
I swallow. “I didn’t fold.”
His mouth twitches. “No. You didn’t.”
His eyes flick to my lips, and my body reacts like it remembers his mouth on mine, remembers the claim, remembers how fast the contract stopped feeling like paper.
The air between us tightens again, different now—danger passed, adrenaline still high, the kind of tension that makes a kiss feel like a match in a gas leak.
Wyatt’s voice goes lower. “You were brave.”
I scoff, but it’s weak. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t make me—” My throat tightens. “Don’t make me feel like I’m going to cry.”
Wyatt’s gaze holds mine. “Then don’t cry.”
It should sound harsh.
It sounds like permission.
I inhale, steadying.
Saxon clears his throat behind Wyatt. “Cooper.”
Wyatt doesn’t turn.
Saxon’s voice stays firm. “Office. Now.”
Wyatt finally looks away from me, jaw tight. He takes a step back like it costs him, then pauses.
He looks at me again, and his expression shifts into something I can’t read at first.
Not anger.
Not heat.
Something sharper.
Something that cuts.
Then he says, quiet enough that it feels like it’s meant only for me.
“We can annul this—if you want.”
Epilogue
Wyatt
one week later
Devil’s Peak lines up for two things without being asked: fires and gossip.
Today it’s neither.
Today it’s chocolate.
The morning sun hits the front windows of Devil’s Kiss like a blessing, catching the gold letters on the sign and throwing warm light across the sidewalk where half the town has apparently decided this is their new holiday. There are boots and parkas and coffee cups, people shifting from foot to foot like they’re waiting for concert tickets instead of truffles.
Ellie stands behind the counter in a black apron that fits her like armor, hair up, cheeks flushed, eyes bright in that way that makes my chest go tight.
She looks like she belongs here. Because she does.
And she looks like she knows it now.
I’m posted near the front, arms crossed, pretending I’m not watching every face that walks in, pretending I’m not scanning for threats out of habit. The deputy nods at me from the corner where he’s “just grabbing coffee,” and Levi keeps hovering by the display case like a starving man who found religion.
Sadie catches my eye from the doorway and lifts a brow as if to say, You good?
I nod once.
I’m better than good.
I’m wrecked.
Ellie’s smile turns on when she sees the crowd and her shoulders lift, not with fear this time, but with pride. She turns to Levi. “One box per person.”
Levi clutches his chest. “Ellie. I’m a firefighter.”
“Exactly,” she says, deadpan. “You don’t need sugar and heroism.”
Saxon Cole appears like he owns the air, in a crisp uniform shirt, hands in his pockets, calm as a judge. He gives Ellie a slow nod. “Looks good.”
Ellie smiles at him—real, not polite. “Thanks, Captain.”
Saxon’s gaze flicks to me for half a beat. It’s the same look he gave me in his office when he warned me about obsession, except this time it’s… different. Less warning. More acceptance.
“Cooper,” he says.
“Captain,” I answer.
He doesn’t say anything else. He doesn’t have to. He just steps aside and lets the town in like this is how it’s supposed to be.
Because maybe it is.