Emmett held out his hand. “I will take you up on that.”
“Agent Dawson?” The nurse to whom Colt had given a note for Maren returned. “Officer Anderson would like you to go to the exam room, if you can.”
“Of course.” Colt’s gaze went to his SAC.
“Go on,” Leo said. “Your duties will start when you’re healed. Take what time you need. I’m glad you didn’t suffer more than a bruised rib from taking a bullet practically point-blank.”
So was Colt. The body armor had stopped the bullet from penetrating, but had left a nasty bruise on his rib.
He grinned at the older men. “Gentlemen, I’ve been summoned.” A molten mix of anticipation and nervousness had him hurrying with Rusk at his side as he made his way back to where Maren and Haven waited outside an exam room.
“Is Opal okay?” he asked. “The baby?”
Looking to the door and then back at him, Maren answered, “Opal and baby are doing well. Or will be with some rest and nutrition. The doctor’s examining them both now.”
She took his hand and drew him down the hall to a secluded alcove. The dogs walked side by side and then sat with expectant gazes.
“What you did today…taking that bullet…” Her voice hitched and she took a shuddering breath. “I’ve never been so scared in my life.”
“Hey, that’s supposed to be my line,” he said, squeezing her hands. “When I saw Daniel with his gun aimed at your head…” His throat tightened. “I almost lost it.”
“As my sister says, scary stuff.”
“Very scary, but part of the deal, right?” A flood of emotion crested in his chest. He’d come close to losing her today. They both had dangerous jobs; nothing in life was guaranteed. They had to grab what happiness they could in this life.
“Would you have really let Daniel go?” she asked.
“To save you? Yes. In a heartbeat. Though, to be honest, I knew Emmett and the others were close. But I would have let Shadow run. I would, and will, do anything for you.”
For a long moment, their gazes held. He remembered the way she’d kissed him. Was it just the heat of the moment? An action born out of adrenaline? He leaned toward her, wanting another kiss.
“Our cases aren’t connected,” she said, stopping his momentum.
He straightened. “No?”
“Opal never talked to Dr. Rolls,” Maren said. “We’ll keep searching for him.”
“I’ve been asked to take on the position of deputy special agent in charge,” he blurted, needing her to know.
Her eyes flared with surprise. “You’re off the task force?”
“I can still assist as needed,” he assured her just as he had Emmett. “But I think we’re all better served if I accept this position.”
“We won’t be partners anymore.”
Her sad tone had him flinching. “Not on the job.” His heart rate doubled as he gathered her hands. “But maybe in life? What do you say? Could you take a chance on a guy like me?”
A different sort of surprise spread across her face. He wasn’t sure if it was pleasure or not.
“I have a confession to make,” she said softly.
Curious and a little wary because she hadn’t answered his questions, he said, “I’m all ears.”
She straightened and squared her shoulders. “What I said to you before about not wanting to be in a romantic relationship and not wanting to mess up our partnership—”
He held his breath. Where was this going? Was she going to reject him? They wouldn’t be partners on the job now. Didn’t that count for something?
“That was the old me,” she said. “You and I make a great team.” Her teeth tugged on her lip. “Professionally and personally.”
