Finn touched her cheek. “It’s okay, honey. You’re safe now and so is everyone else.”
“I’ve seen guys disabled like this in the movies but never in person.” She gave him a wobbly smile. “You were impressive.”
“All in a day’s work.” His face heated with a blush. He didn’t take compliments well. “Or it was for me. Once anyway.”
He waited for the pain of loss to take hold and it didn’t. At least not that gut-wrenching, sick-to-your-stomach feeling. Sure, he had a niggling of unease, but more than that, he was thankful he possessed the skills needed today and in the end, he was still alive to care for Avery. And just as important, Ryleigh was alive and well too.
Because he wanted her in his life. He didn’t know how he would make that happen, but she would be by his side for life if he had anything to say about it.
A grenade. The guy had actually pulled a live grenade on them. Unbelievable.
Ryleigh fought against her weak knees to exit the last tunnel with Finn, her rescuer and rock. What a takedown! She’d experienced some hairy situations as an agent, but this one would go down as the scariest day of her life.
They’d had to remove Vick’s cuffs to let him crawl out but she slapped them on him again.
“Not so tight,” he complained.
She had no sympathy for him.
“Move.” Finn took a solid hold on Vick’s arm and prodded him ahead until they stepped into the sunshine that was beaming down on the cave.
She took in a deep breath and let it out, the air tasting and smelling sweeter.
She was alive.Alive!
Thanks to Finn. The man who saved her. Saved so many people as he’d done for years as a SEAL, but she’d never been witness to his prowess before. Some might say his move was foolhardy, but not with his skills. No, it’d been a calculated attack he knew he would win. Or he wouldn’t have risked their lives.
There was nothing she could face that would be harder to overcome than this. At least nothing with Finn at her side. She wanted that. Him with her for the future. For sure. Facing death at the hand of a killer had made it crystal clear. Her other problems were small. Minor. Tiny. And conquerable.
And she planned to tell Finn that—after she got Vick solidly locked behind bars.
She scanned the area ahead until she spotted the deputy and his patrol vehicle. She took out her phone and called Russ. She gave him a brief version of what had happened. “I could bring Vick in, but is that what you want or do you want the local deputy to book him?”
“As much as I’d like him under my control,” Russ said, his voice tight. “Let’s not call attention to being out of jurisdiction and let the locals book him. You go along and bring back a copy of the booking report for the feds.”
“Will do.”
“And, Steele, I’m surrounded by feds, and you speak their language, so double-time it back here.” He laughed and ended the call.
She chuckled too, releasing some of her adrenaline, and then shared the information with Finn. She pointed at the deputy. “Let’s get Vick transported.”
Finn shoved Vick ahead, visitors staring. If they only knew the danger they’d been exposed to, but the grenade remained in Finn’s pocket. It was freaky to her, but probably something he’d carried many times in the past.
The deputy frowned at them and took control of Vick. He pressed him up against the car for a thorough search, read him his rights, and put him in the backseat. He secured the door and turned. “Not gonna lie and sugarcoat this. You should’ve waited for me. Won’t help our agency goodwill.”
“Couldn’t be helped,” she said, trying to diffuse the situation. “Besides, we’re giving you the collar. Bringing in a bomber and murderer will give you bragging rights. That should count for something.”
“Yeah, yeah, it will.” He cracked a half smile. “I’ll meet you at booking to take your statements.”
He slid behind the wheel, and she didn’t wait for the door to close but started for Finn’s truck before her wobbly knees gave out on her. He strode by her side, their fingers close but not touching. Man, she wanted to reach out. Feel his solid presence. She wouldn’t. Not with the deputy still in the area.
They reached his truck well out of view. She waited for him to open the passenger door as he always did. He came close. Stopped. Pinned her against the door and kissed her—hard.
Wow! Oh wow! Her senses swam. Her head dizzy. Her knees now threatening a total rebellion.
He came up for air, his forehead furrowed as he gazed into her eyes. “I could’ve lost you.”
She felt his worry deeply inside. Echoed it. “But you didn’t, and I could say the same for you.”
