Page 34 of The Norcross Rescue

The wind caught at the man’s hair, and it sent Brynn’s dress tangling around her legs.

“It’s over,” Vander said quietly, as he slowed to a walk. “You don’t need to make it worse than it already is.”

“I just wanted to…make my life count. Make it matter. Have things, do big things.”

“This isn’t how you go about it,” Vander said.

“Life isn’t fair! I deserve more. I deserve it more than those rich assholes.”

Vander met Brynn’s gaze. She lifted her chin, her gaze strong and steady.

Dammit. She wanted him to save this cowardly guy. Vander blew out a breath. “Why? Because you say so? Life isn’t fair. No one deserves anything. You work for what you believe in, fight for what’s important to you. You don’t take, you don’t steal, and you don’t hurt other people to get what you want.”

The man stared at Vander.

“You chose the wrong path.”

Wolf’s shoulders slumped. “My parents will find out what I’ve done.”

“Come on, Henry,” Brynn murmured. “Let’s get off this roof.”

Vander sensed the others behind him, approaching slowly. Henry glanced at them and swallowed.

“Okay.” The man nodded. Let’s—” He shifted and his foot slipped.

He cried out, teetering on the edge. Then, he fell backward…and grabbed for Brynn.

“No!” Vander yelled.

Brynn’s mouth opened and she threw her arms out.

Henry’s hands clamped onto the skirt of her dress and pulled her over the edge.

“Brynn!” Vander leaped forward, his entire life flashing before his eyes.

They disappeared from view, falling over the edge. Fear and desolation ripped through him, stealing the air from his lungs.

He dropped to his stomach, leaning over the edge. The wind tore at his hair. He heard Rhys cursing behind him.

When he saw Brynn clinging to the side of the building, dangling there from a steel beam, her face contorted, the air rushed back into his lungs.

Then he realized Henry was holding onto her legs. Shit.

Vander clamped his hands around her wrists. “I’ve got you.”

She smiled up at him. “I know.”

“I’ve always got you, Detective Norcross. You’re mine. And I…I need you.”

Her face softened. “I know. I love you, too. I’m sorry I’ve been crazy lately. Now, can you get me up, please?” Her gaze locked on his. “And save him, Vander. He’s just a lost man who needs help.”

He huffed out a breath. Trust his wife to turn the hostage-taking thief into a lost soul. “The things I do for you.” He looked back over his shoulder. “A little help here.”

All of a sudden, Brynn groaned, her face twisting.

“Brynn, what’s wrong?”

“Just…never mind,” she panted. “Get us up first.”