Page 18 of Lethal Bodyguard Summer

Aria coughed and threw up some water. In a strained voice, she said, “Brooks. Don’t. I’m okay.”

“He was going to kill you.”

“But he didn’t. You saved me.”

Slowly I looked at her. Her curls were plastered to her head. “No, baby. You saved yourself.”

Aria smiled and lay back down. “Okay. I saved myself.”

After the guy pulled himself into the boat, I zip-tied him and sat him next to me. All I wanted to do was pull Aria into my arms, but that would wait until I knew everyone was accounted for and secure.

The Coast Guard had subdued the man who’d shot at them, boarded the boat, and secured the rest of the crew. They’d also found and secured Roman Pierce, back from the dead.

When we got back to the marina, I handed over the guy I’d caught and used my knife to cut the zip ties off Aria. Then I hauled her into my arms.

She pulled back. “You’re bleeding.” Her hand ran over my upper arm, and I winced.

“Bullet grazed me when I was pulling you out. I’m okay.”

Rafi and Sloane met us at the end of the pier.

“My sister?” Aria asked.

“She’s waiting for you up there.” Rafi nodded toward the parking lot.

Aria looked at me. “Go see her,” I said. “I’ll be right behind you.”

Sloane looked at where I was bleeding. “You got shot?”

I shook my head. “Just a flesh wound.”

“Code eight-oh-eight?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. I glanced at Rafi, and he shrugged a shoulder in response. Sloane continued, “You know how I feel about summer flings, Callahan.”

I waited, knowing there was more.

“It’s not like you to break the rules.”

I looked him in the eye. “She’s worth it, and so much more.”

He stared at me for a minute, then sighed. “Rafi, finish dealing with the Coast Guard. Callahan, see you in the office in a week. This time, actually take some time off. That’s an order.”

“Yes, sir,” I said, and then for the first time ever, I left the job to everyone else and went and found Aria.

Chapter sixteen

Aria

Allie left the next morning with John to finish giving her reports and her evidence to the authorities. Turns out, shehadsnapped a photo. Not a very good one, but still.

On the way back to Brooks’ house, I called Brad. He didn’t answer my call, but I left him a message. I’d been running all my life, but I was starting to think I hadn’t been running away as much as I’d been running toward something. Or rather, someone.

I think I had always been meant to be here at this time and place and find Brooks. Being with him… I believed him when he told me I wasn’t too much. Now I just needed to find out if he felt the same way I did.

When I got back to his house, I found him outside on the back deck, staring out at the water.

I stopped next to him and leaned on the rail, keeping my eyes on the rolling surf. “I’m done with the rule,” I said. “In fact, I’m done running.”

He turned to face me. “For Allie? For me? Or for you?”