“Was fake. You’re safe. I promise, you’re safe.”
Nora launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and holding on like he was the only solid thing in the world. Carson caught her, lifting her out of the truck and holding her tight.
“I thought you were going to die,” she sobbed against his neck. “I thought he was going to blow himself up and take you with him and I’d lose you—”
“But you didn’t. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
Shepulled back enough to look at him, her face blotchy with tears. “You offered to trade yourself for me. You were going to let him take you.”
“Of course I was. Your life is worth more than mine.”
“No, it’s not. Don’t you ever—” She broke off, pressing her face into his shoulder again. “Don’t you ever do that again.”
“Can’t promise that.” He held her closer. “If it means keeping you safe, I’d do it a thousand times.”
“Carson Black, you’re an idiot.”
“Yeah.” He pressed a kiss to her hair. “But I’m your idiot.”
***
They spent the next two hours at the station, giving statements, answering questions, going through the process.
Eugene was officially booked—escape, assault with a deadly weapon, making terroristic threats, stalking, attempted murder. The charges would keep him locked up for the rest of his life with no possibility of parole.
“It’s really over this time,” Finn said, appearing with coffee for both of them. “Eugene’s going to maximum security. Twenty-four-hour surveillance. No transport without a full tactical team. He’s not getting out again.”
“Good,” Carson said. He sat next to Nora in the waiting area, his arm around her shoulders. She hadn’t let go of him since the parking lot.
“And the tracker in her phone?” Finn continued. “We traced it back to a device Eugene planted in her apartment six months ago. He’s been watching her movements, her communications, everything. We’ll need her phone as evidence, but I’ve already contacted her carrier about getting her a new one with a new number.”
“Thank you,” Nora said quietly.
Finn nodded and walked away.
Captain Holloway approached, his expression a mix of relief and concern. “You two okay?”
“We will be,” Carson said.
“Good. Because I’m putting both of you on mandatory leave. Two weeks minimum. Get out of town. Rest. Recover.” He looked at Carson specifically. “And that’s an order, not a suggestion. You’ve been through enough.”
“Yes, sir.”
After Holloway left, Nora turned to Carson. “Two weeks. What do we do with two weeks?”
“First?” Carson stood and pulled her up with him. “We get you a new phone. Then we get your things from your apartment. It’s been cleared as a crime scene. Then we go back to that cabin and we finish what we started.”
“What we started?”
“Being normal. Being together without danger and fear hanging over us.” He cupped her face. “Being in love without the world trying to end.”
Tears welled in her eyes again, but this time they looked like happy tears. “That sounds perfect.”
“Yeah.” He kissed her softly. “It does.”
***
They drove to Nora’s apartment to collect her belongings. Crime scene tape still marked the door, but the unit had been released back to her.
