“Then I’d be in heaven with Mom and Dad.” Kendra glanced over to where Raine was helping Dom stabilize Levy. “I’m sorry I didn’t answer. I assumed Levy was in Canada by now.”
“That’s what happens when you’re ruled by greed.” Justin didn’t look the least bit upset at how Levy clung to life. Then he sighed. “We should try to help save him. We may need him to find Bartoli.”
It didn’t take long for the Billings police and ambulance crew to arrive. The paramedics went to work on Levy, whisking him away within fifteen minutes. Despite everything, Kendra prayed Levy would survive. Her brother was right that they’d need him to get Bartoli.
Dom washed the blood from his hands, then knelt beside the box of Krugerrand. “I’m not sure how Levy found this.”
“He used this.” Kendra lifted a metal pole with a flat head on one end. “It’s a metal detector.”
Dom shook his head. “If they’d have just found the coins right away, they would have gotten away with it. Instead, they came at me like a bull charging a red flag.”
“There was still Ramsey’s confession,” Kendra pointed out.
“Besides, nobody said criminals were smart,” Raine said with a shrug.
Dom stood, leaving the coins on the floor of the hangar. “Take them. I don’t want anything to do with stolen Krugerrand.”
Kendra reached for his arm. This time, he didn’t shake her off. Instead, he turned and folded her close. She clung to him, wishing things were different.
“They’re not worth your life,” Dom whispered in her ear. “Nothing is worth risking your life or that of your family.”
“I feel the same way about you.” She hugged him tight, then craned her head back to look up at him. “You’re safe now. We all are.”
He shook his head. “Not if Bartoli is still out there looking for the coins.”
“We’ll make an announcement that we found them,” Raine said. “Besides, I think we can convince Jake and Jennifer to cooperate. That alone should help put Bartoli behind bars.”
“Not if Levy hired them.” Dom’s expression appeared carved in stone. “I’m ready to go into witness protection, Raine. If that’s the only way to keep Kendra and the rest of you safe, then I’m ready.”
Kendra’s heart squeezed painfully. “No, Dom. That’s not necessary . . .”
He broke away from her embrace. “I won’t risk you, Kendra. I won’t! I love you!”
Her jaw dropped in shocked surprise. This was not exactly how she’d wanted to hear those three words. “I love you too! So you’re not going away, understand?” She narrowed her gaze. “We’ll figure this out, together.”
Dom threw up his hands. “I give up.” He jabbed a finger at Justin. “Talk some sense into your sister, would you?” With that, he strode into the house.
Justin took a step toward her, but Kendra lifted a hand. “Don’t even try.” She turned and followed Dominic inside. Smoky stayed close at her side.
Dom stood in the center of the room holding his head in his hands as if it might fall off if he let go. She crossed over to him. “I love you. I’m not leaving you.” He opened his mouth to argue, but she kept going, “And if you’re going into witness protection, then I am too.”
He let out a harsh laugh. “Nice try, Kendra. You’d never leave your family.”
“I don’t want to leave them, but I love you. You, Dominic.” She jabbed him in the chest with her index finger. “I love you! I don’t want to live my life without you. So if you’re going, then so am I.” She glanced at Smoky. “But I don’t think we can take Smoky with us. She’s too noticeable.”
“You can’t leave your dog and your family. I won’t let you do this.” Dom’s voice rose in agitation. “Please, Kendra, don’t do this.”
“That’s up to you.” She held his gaze. “I told you from the beginning we’re in this together. Our parents died on that plane through no fault of their own. Their deaths have tied us together, Dom. Don’t you see? God brought us together to learn the truth. And now that I’ve found the love I’ve envied amongst all my siblings, I’m not going to let you go.”
“Kendra.” His voice was a mere whisper, but then he reached out and hauled her into his arms. “I don’t deserve you.”
Relief washed over her as she held him close. “You deserve my love the way I deserve yours.”
“I love you so much.” He pressed a kiss to her temple, then leaned back to lift her chin with his fingertip. His kiss was sweet at first, then turned molten hot. Kendra lost herself in his embrace until Smoky bumped her head against Kendra’s thigh.
“Not now,” she murmured, nudging the dog aside. Then she hauled Dom down for another kiss.
“Kendra? The police want to talk to you and Dom.” Raine’s wry tone broke them apart.
