She leaned into his side. God, she was grateful to have him. And her family. Becket had come and gone, and she’d also received a call from her mother and a text from Indie.
She’d taken one step away from the ambulance when two men stepped out of the florist holding a gurney, but this time there was a sheet covering the body.
Briar.
She tried to swallow, but it felt like there was a lump in her throat.
“Are you okay?” Holden asked softly.
“I watched her die.”
“I’m sorry.”
She sucked in a sharp breath before turning to face him. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Being my knight in shining armor today. You saved me.”
He shook his head. “Yousaved you. You got out of there, and I have no doubt that you would have outrun her.”
“But then she might have gone free, and we’d all be looking over our shoulders until we found her. You took her down.”
“If I hadn’t, someone else would have.”
She stepped closer and laid her temple against his chest, closing her eyes when he pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
Thiswas safety. And right now, it was the only place she wanted to be.
A hand touched her back, and she turned to see Jesse.
“Hey.” He studied her face like he was trying to assess if she’d break.
“I’m okay, Jess.” She was sounding like a broken record. “I’m glad it’s over.”
He nodded. “Me too. Mom wanted to come, but I told her to hold off.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re going to let Holden stay with you tonight, aren’t you?”
She looked up at Holden. “I’m not letting him leave my side.”
“Thank God,” Holden said, before pressing another kiss to her head.
She sank further into him. Today hadn’t been a good day. The people who loved her made it easier.
CHAPTER 32
Holden scanned the street outside The Tea House window, his untouched coffee held tightly between his fingers.
Where was she?
It had been a month since everything had happened with Briar and Helen. Briar was dead and Helen was locked up, but that day hadn’t left him. It probably never would.
Deb was alive, thank God, and even Malcolm had pulled through. But Holden had almost lost Clara. If she wasn’t as strong and smart as she was, hewouldhave lost her.
“Where’s Clara?” Becket asked, as he and Sky took seats across the table.
