Page 42 of Shadows Relived
Meaghan’s throat clenched. “Not right now, baby. But you’re going home. And I’ll see you again soon.”
Sage stepped inside and helped gently lift Lucas, murmuring something soft to him as he stirred. Abbie gathered Willie, letting the boy rest his head against her shoulder like he’d done it a hundred times before. Meaghan took Sophie’s hand, brushing her hair out of her eyes and whispering comfort as she walked her out into the night.
The SUV doors were already open. Blankets lay across the seats with bottles of water waiting in the cupholder in case the little ones got thirsty. Sage helped Lucas into the back, tucking him in while Abbie made sure Willie was buckled in securely. Meaghan knelt beside Sophie and zipped her coat up to her chin.
“You remember what I said?” Meaghan asked gently.
Sophie nodded solemnly, eyes wide. “Home.”
“That’s right. You’re going home.”
She turned to Sage, her throat threateningto close, knowing the kids were almost to safety. “You know where to take them?”
Sage nodded without hesitation. “We’ve got it covered. Callen sent us the addresses you gave him earlier, so we’ll make sure they get back to their families.”
Abbie chimed in, her tone softer than before. “We won’t drop them off unless we can ensure it’s safe. But I’m sure they’ll be fine and settled back in their houses before sunrise, just in time for Sunday morning cartoons.”
Meaghan blinked fast, trying to fight back the sting of tears. “You promise?”
“I promise,” Sage said, her emerald eyes steady. “We do this kind of thing for a living, Meaghan. They’re going to be okay.” She squeezed Meaghan’s shoulder as she stepped back. “We’ll call once they’re delivered. You did good.”
The doors shut with soft thuds just before the engine rumbled to life. Meaghan stood still as the SUV backed out slowly, taillights fading into the dark.
And just like that, they were gone.
Gone, but safe.
And that was all that mattered.
CHAPTER 16
CALLEN STOODBESIDE HER as they both watched Sage and Abbie drive off with the kids. He had to admit, even though their situation was crazy, he would miss having the three munchkins around. He could see why Meaghan threw her all into them, cared for them enough to risk her life to keep them safe.
As the taillights disappeared, she turned to him, placing a hand to his arm. “They said your friends wouldn’t be here for about an hour. How about you get some rest?” She brushed hair from his forehead, a tender smile toying at her lips.
“Only if you do.”
A soft smile slipped across her face. “I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do.”
He watched as she passed him, the soft sway of her hips, the strength of her back. The kids were finally going home, but he knew that for the two of them, things were truly just beginning.
Once they were inside, the motel door clicking shut behind them, silence settled once more, thick and total. He threw the deadbolt and drew the curtains, and then finally turned to her, seeing her standing at the edge of the bed.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The dim light from the bathroom left her in half-shadow, her silhouette haloed with gold. She looked tired. Worn down to the bone. And yet, so goddamn beautiful it made his throat tighten while his cock throbbed in his jeans.
“You need rest,” she murmured, crossing the space between them.
“I need a hell of a lot of things,” he said, voice rasping from overuse and blood loss. “But I want you first.”
A ghost of a smile tugged at her lips as she sat on the edge of the bed, lifting his hand between both of hers. He could feel her pulse fluttering beneath her skin: fast, light, unsure.
He curled his fingers slowly around hers. “You okay?”
Her laugh was dry and fragile. “No. But the kids are safe. That’s something.”
Callen watched her for a moment, his chest tight, not just from the damn bullet wound, but from everything she’d carried and everything she still carried. Even now, after the worst of it, she didn’t crumble. She’d been their anchor, their hope, their calm in the storm. And she didn’t even realize it.
“You were amazing with them,” he told her, voice rough. “All of it—keeping them calm, keeping them together. They listened to you like… like you were the only thing they trusted.”
