"Olivia?" My voice comes out ragged.
She stands with her service weapon still extended. She fired before Blackwood could.
I watch Olivia lower her weapon, her breathing shallow and rapid. The cuffs dig into my wrists as I shift my weight, my shoulder throbbing where I hit the concrete.
My mind races through the possibilities of her next move.
Will she call this in? Arrest me? Finish what Blackwood started?
Her eyes remain fixed on Blackwood's body, her professional mask slipping to reveal the turmoil beneath. I've never seen her look so lost.
Part of me wants to tell her to run, to leave me here with Blackwood's body and save herself. I could handle whatever comes next. I always do.
But the knowledge that she's carrying my child changes everything. Whatever happens to me, I need her safe.
I hold my breath, waiting for her decision. If she takes me in, I'll understand. If she shoots me, at least I'll die knowing I tried to protect what's mine. But if she stays with me...
"Are you hurt?" she asks.
I shake my head, ignoring the throbbing pain in my shoulder. "I'm fine." Right now, all I care about is that she's standing there, alive, her gun no longer pointed at me.
"Is it true?" I ask. "About the baby?"
Olivia's eyes meet mine, guilt flickering across her face before she looks away. She nods once, a barely perceptible movement that changes my entire world.
“You didn’t want me in the baby’s life.” The pain of that is more acute than any I’ve ever felt.
“I hadn’t made any decisions.”
“I’ll be a good father, Olivia. You may think I’m a criminal, but I understand family.”
She looks down. “I know.” Then she raises her gaze to me. “You tried to save my life.”
I nod. “But it turns out you saved yourself. I guess you don’t need me.”
I watch her face, searching for something I can hold onto. But the wall between us feels insurmountable now.
I'm in love with her, but maybe that's not enough.
Maybe it can never be enough.
I represent everything she's sworn to fight against.
Her head tilts. “Or maybe you need me.”
Hope blooms at those words. “That goes without saying.”
Her grip on the gun loosens. The tension in her shoulders seems to ease slightly. "You... you should be behind bars."
Like a fucking roller coaster, my hope careens downward. “Maybe, but not for this.” I study her. “Are you going to arrest me?”
“What for? You’re not trespassing. You have an alibi for Agent Mullins. I killed Blackwood.”
I take another step forward, feeling grateful she's so honest. Any other cop or agent would be finding or making up reasons to arrest me. “I’m not the monster Blackwood is. I just want to protect you and the people I care about.”
She shakes her head. “Don’t pretend you’re innocent.”
“I never have. But I’m not here to hurt people. That's what Blackwood wanted. He killed and manipulated, but not for justice."
