Page 13 of The Ashes of Summer

I thought it might work. Then it didn't. Because she wasn't her.

No one else was ever going to be her.

I pulled back. Pushed her away and walked out still bleeding. Left her standing there with my blood on her hands and something unreadable in her expression.

She's tried again since then but she still doesn't get it. It was never about her. Or any other woman for that matter. It was always Summer. Always. The woman who has my heart. Hell, the woman who is my heart.

"You didn't see us," I say now, voice flat. "You don't know his name."

Her expression tightens. Just enough to show her frustration.

"You always come back bleeding, Sheriff."

"Occupational hazard."

I don't soften it. Don't give her anything else. I turn before she can try.

Mason stays by the doors. "Boss—I'd like to stay… I'd like to⁠—"

I cut him off, hand on his shoulder, nodding once.

"Stay."

He doesn't know Reyes. Not really. But he wants to. Or maybe he just doesn't want to walk away from another man he couldn't save.

I get it.

Carter's already outside, leaning against the truck, rain hammering down, cigarette burning fast between his fingers.

He glances up. "You good, boss? She still think you're redeemable?"

I yank the passenger door open. "Wasn't her I wanted then," I say. "Sure as hell isn't her I want now."

Not even close.

He huffs a quiet laugh, then flicks the cigarette into a puddle. It dies instantly. He gets in and starts the engine. For a beat, neither of us moves.

"You heard from Hayes?" I ask.

"Yeah." Carter grips the wheel. "Calder's dealt with. Family'll know within the hour."

Dealt with.

That's how we say it when we don't have space for anything else. I stare straight ahead through the windshield. He deserved better than that phrase. Better than the version of events his family would be handed. I owe him a bullet for the man who caused this. I intend to pay it.

"We owe them," I say.

Carter nods. Once. Enough.

Reyes—if he doesn't make it. Calder. And Summer. Because she's out there paying for something that was never hers to carry.

"What's the plan?" Carter asks.

Plan.

Right. Because if I don't have one—I go after him blind, and that's exactly what he wants.

I let the silence sit for a moment.