“For what? Ending the standoff?”
The man pinched his nose, then nodded. “I can’t have video of this getting out. If you do this, you have to be hidden.”
“That won’t be a problem.”
The officer glanced back at his vehicle. “I have a rifle in my car. It shoots a little to the left. I’ll call my guys off and go with you to a location where we won’t be seen. I’ll hand you my gun, and you take the shot. I’ll tell everyone it was me.”
“Got it,” Stanley said. His buddy turned to him, his lips thinned. “I’ll take the shot, you get ready to go in and rescue the women.”
The rest of their friends pulled up, and Bean glanced at them, then turned back to Stanley. “Deal. I’ll see you in a few.” Bean turned to the officer. “Thank you.”
The wait was excruciating. The rest of the team waited for Stanley to take the shot. Then the two officers who’d been firing at their target, pinning him in place, stopped firing.
Bean held his breath as one shot was fired. Sound bounced off the houses, and the ensuing silence was a blessing. Stanley’s aim had been true.
“He’s down!” someone yelled, and Bean blew out a breath in relief.
Garnet heardsomeone in the house coming their way. She put her hand on Ansley’s back, fearing that they were about to come to a horrible end.
“I hear it,” Ansley whispered.
The seconds seemed to stretch, and she swore more than a minute passed, her hand on Ansley’s back, Ansley repositioned herself so she had a better position.
Garnet felt a scream rising in her throat. Her fingers tingled, and her brain started to pound. She thought she was going to explode.
Then everything changed.
“Garnet, Ansley.”
Air burst from her lungs as relief hit.
“It’s Brady.”
Ansley lowered her gun. Her whole body sagged. Then they both heard Link’s voice.
“Link,” Ansley whispered first, then she found her voice and yelled his name.
The door opened, and Garnet flinched, but then her gaze met Brady’s, and she jumped up, flinging herself into his arms.
Tears filled her eyes, and she was lost to emotions. Everything seemed too much. It was beautiful and wonderful, and she held onto him as her life depended on it.
Bean had never feltanything this good. Having Garnet in his arms was perfection. He held onto her, burying his nose in her hair, breathing in deeply. She smelled like home.
“It’s okay, I’ve got you.”
Garnet nodded and mumbled something, but he couldn’t make out her words. His eyes burned with tears. It had been a long time since he felt the urge to cry, but if ever there were a reason, this was it.
Garnet was safe. There was still the one guy out there, but the dude was still in Europe, and there was a flag on his passport. He wouldn’t make it over here without someone pulling him in for questioning.
“You’re safe now.”
She nodded against his neck. He glanced up and saw that Ansley was still clinging to Link. A year ago, he would have sworn he would never feel like this. He cared deeply for Garnet. Heck, this might even be what love felt like.
He leaned back and stared into her eyes. He wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumb, then his lips were on hers, drinking her in. Yes. This had to be what love felt like.
He heard Ansley and Link talking. They had a lot to clean up. Link’s house was blown to shit, and his buddy needed support.
The kiss ended, and he cupped her cheeks. “You’re safe now. We need to clean up.”
