Page 26 of Her Guilty Protector
“Never. I’m too smart. Now get up.”
“No. You’re not getting away with this. You are not killing anyone else. You are not hurting anyone else. Neither of you.”
She slides her hand under the table where we hid her weapon.
No, babe. No! Before I can act there’s a crack and Allen spins knocking into his uncle. They both drop to the floor.
“Thank you, Porter,” I whisper into my comm.
“Buy me a beer,” he snorts back.
I rush out and grab my girl as the team pours in from outside followed by local officials. Vance had notified State and local authorities, and they had arrived in time to watch and listen to the last few moments with one of our team outside. Now they’re filling the room and taking charge. It will be hours before we’re alone.
Allen is on the floor screaming and whining that he’s bleeding to death. Demanding a doctor, a lawyer, claimingentrapment and that he’s innocent. His uncle made him do it. The officer cuffing him ignores him.
Porter helps Hazel to her feet and is making sure she’s ok.
“You did it, babe. You were amazing. You’re gonna get justice for all the victims. I’m so proud of you.”
She looks up at me, tears welling in her eyes, then overflowing. “Twenty-two. He did this to twenty-two people.”
“And you’re getting justice for them and closure for their families.” I hold her until they come to take her statement. Stepping aside, I text Frank and tell him it’s over and we’ll talk tomorrow.
Hours later shutting the door behind the last of the authorities, I cross to where my girl is huddled on the couch. For the last few hours while everyone present had been debriefed, I’ve watched her sink deeper and deeper into herself.
“Talk to me, babe.”
“I—I can’t stay here. But I can’t go home. I have nowhere to go that isn’t tainted.”
“Give me a minute.” I call Vance and make arrangements for one of the guys to stay and secure the site and we’ll return on the helicopter with the team. She falls asleep during the flight and barely stirs when we get back to Halo City. The guys help me get her to my apartment. I get her into bed.
“Don’t leave me,” she mumbles.”
“I’m here, babe. Not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me. Forever.” I snuggle in behind her.
She sleeps off and on for two days. Vance sends one of our trauma phycologists over to talk with her. After the doctor leaves, I hear the shower come on. I take that as a good sign.
I have her favorite pizza waiting when she makes her way to the kitchen. She walks straight into my arms. I just hold her.
“Thank you.” She looks up. “Thank you for understanding. For being here. I’m gonna be okay.”
“Never doubted it. You have always been strong.”
“What happens now?”
“Both Allen and his uncle are being charged with murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, fraud, tax evasion, and the list goes on and on.”
“Did—did they find bodies at the rock quarry?”
“They are still working the site, but yes they found evidence of some. His kill book is proving to be the best evidence against him. Neither one of them are getting away with this.”
“I was the lucky one,” she whispers.
“Not lucky. You fought your way out. Time and again. And you gave closure to other families.”
“And us?”
I drop to my knee in front of her. “I love you, Laney. I have loved you since I first laid eyes on you. I’m tired of trying to hide it. I don’t deserve you, but I want you to be my wife. I swear I’ll be faithful and always put you first.”
