Page 32

My mind shuts down as relief flows through me. I don’t waste a second rushing over to pull Naomi in my arms.

“It’s okay,” I whisper placing frantic kisses all over her face. “You’re safe. I got you, fever. I got you.”

Naomi sobs into my neck, the tears hot against my skin. Her mother is clutching Casey, both of them hyperventilating.

I snuggle Naomi tight against my side then wrap my other arm around the rest of my family. The three women hold on tight as I lead us from the house, out into the yard, never letting go of them for a second.

Armstrong emerges from the house two minutes later, face grave but unbloodied. “Suspect in custody,” he says. “Ambulance is en route. Everyone’s accounted for.”

I want to cheer, or scream, or just collapse, but instead I turn and kiss the top of Naomi’s head, breathing her in, alive and real.

She pulls back, looks up at me, face streaked but defiant. “You came,” she chokes out.

“I’ll always come for you,” I say. “Every time. I’m not letting you out of my sight ever again.”

She grins, strong and beautiful. “Good.”

In the distance, the crowd of neighbors erupts in applause as SWAT drags Stellan out in cuffs. The kid is sobbing, snot running down his face, already a ghost.

I don’t care. I only care about the woman in my arms, the fact that she’s still here, that I didn’t fuck it up after all.

I walk her to the ambulance, settle her onto the step, and kneel at her feet. The paramedic fusses, but I ignore them.

“Fever,” I whisper, low enough that only she hears, “You’re my whole world. I need you to know that.”

She cups my face, hands trembling. “You’re mine, too. Even if you are a dumbass sometimes. You could’ve gotten shot rushing in the house like that.”

I laugh, the sound shaky and strange. “Yeah. But I’ll be your dumbass for the rest of my life.”

She tugs me closer, kisses me hard, then softer, then so gentle it nearly undoes me.

I’m still shaking when Armstrong claps a hand on my shoulder. “You did good, Wyatt.”

I look at the house, then at Naomi, at her mother and sister holding each other on the grass. “We all did,” I say.

“Now, I’m going to take my woman home and knock her little ass up.”

“First you need to give her your last name.” June cuts in. “If you dare get my daughter pregnant without marring her, you’ll be walking around with a black eye.

“You are so fucked.” Giant roars. “ These three are going to keep you on your toes.”

“With his luck, he’ll have all daughters.” Cowboy chuckles.

Nothing would make me happier.