Page 136

"I'm okay." Her voice shook. "I'm okay. Code, I'm okay."

I pulled her into my arms, probably too hard, but I couldn't help it. She was alive. Breathing. Safe.

"That was the stupidest, bravest thing I've ever seen," I said against her hair.

"I learned from the best." She was shaking now, adrenaline crash hitting hard. "I knew you were listening. I knew you'd hear everything."

I pulled back enough to look at her. "You left that phone on speaker on purpose."

"Of course I did. I needed you to know what you were walking into." Her eyes were bright with unshed tears. "I trust you, Code. Completely."

"Clear!" Jase called out. The Russian Katherine had dropped was still curled in fetal position, groaning. The one I'd shot near the bathroom was dead. Viktor was dead. The room was secure.

"Somebody help her!" Sophie's voice cracked. She was now kneeling beside the maid, whose face was gray, breathing shallow. "Please!"

I moved to the maid while Jase secured the live Russian with zip ties. The tourniquet Sophie and Katherine had made from the pillowcase was still tight around the maid's thigh, but she'd lost a lot of blood. Her pulse was thready, skin clammy.

"Jase, call 911. Tell them we need ambulances. Gunshot wound to the thigh and multiple assault victims."

Jase was already on his phone.

I ripped open a pillow, packed the wound with stuffing, and applied pressure. The maid's eyes fluttered open, unfocused.

"You're going to be okay," I told her. "Help is coming."

Katherine was suddenly beside me, her hand on the maid's shoulder. "We've got you. Just hold on."

Sirens wailed in the distance, growing closer.

Five minutes later, local police swarmed the room. Then paramedics. I kept Katherine close while they worked, my arm around her shoulders, my body between her and the worst of the carnage.

Sophie was treated for her injuries—badly bruised ribs, possible internal bruising. Russell had a concussion. The maid was rushed to surgery, but the tourniquet Sophie and Katherine had applied had kept her alive long enough. The paramedics said she had a real chance because of their quick thinking.

Simon and Nolan arrived just minutes after the police, and Simon immediately started coordinating with local law enforcement. Apparently the man had real pull, because the cops listened to him, and weren’t hassling Jase and I all that much.

Viktor's body was photographed and documented. The surviving Russian was taken into custody. Russell was babbling to anyone who would listen about Viktor's entire operation, offering to cooperate fully.

An hour later, Katherine had been checked by paramedics—minor bruises, but nothing serious. One of them saw me wince so they checked me out. Not much they could do for cracked ribs besides telling me to take it easy at home. Sophie and Russell were transported to the hospital for observation. The police took our statements.

Two hours after that, we were finally cleared to leave.

Katherine was wrapped in a blanket despite the Tennessee heat, still shaking with delayed shock. I guided her toward the Armada, one arm around her waist.

"Code?" She looked up at me as we walked.

"Yeah?"

"When I thought I might die up there, all I could think about was you." Her voice cracked. "I love you. I know I already told you that, but it bears repeating. I love you so much it terrifies me."

I stopped walking. Right there in the parking lot, with police cars and ambulances all around us, I stopped and turned to face her.

"Katherine." I took her face in my hands, gentle this time. "I started falling for you the moment you walked into that conference room. Then that night at the Inn, when you started telling me stories of your past, and you let down your barriers, I started falling faster and deeper. You’ve been it for me for days, no matter how rushed this might seem. I loved you every second I was listening to that phone, hearing you be strong and smart and so damn brave. And I'm going to love you for the rest of my life."

Her tears came again, but she was smiling through them. "That was a really good speech."

"I've been working on it for the last two hours."

She laughed—a real laugh—and I kissed her. Soft and gentle, tasting salt from her tears. When I pulled back, she was still smiling.

"Take me back," she whispered.

"Back where?"

"Jasper Creek." She leaned into me. "I want to go back with you."

I guided her to the Armada, helped her into the passenger seat, and closed the door. Jase was waiting by the driver's side.

"She okay?" he asked quietly.

"She will be." I looked back at Katherine through the windshield. She was watching me, wrapped in that blanket, looking exhausted and traumatized and absolutely beautiful. "She's the strongest person I've ever met."

"Yeah." Jase clapped me on the shoulder. "You did good, cousin."

I climbed into the driver's seat and reached over to take Katherine's hand. She laced her fingers through mine and held on tight.

"Let's go," I said.

And we did.