“But you can’t just turn it off.”
Scout blew out a harsh breath. “I didn’t realize how hard it would hit until…”
She didn’t finish, but Neve had a feeling she knew how it ended.
She shifted on the bed, trying to find a more comfortable position. “Until Coulter showed up, and I got the future I thought I’d lost.”
“I’m happy for you and Coulter. Thrilled. Truly. I just…” She raked her hand through her hair. “I’ll get over it. I just saw him from a distance when I was getting back into the SUV this morning...” She held up her hand. “And no, he didn’t see me. You know I’m better than that, but I won’t deny a part of me wanted him to.”
“We can break ranks. Bring him in. You know I don’t care about Gus’ rules.”
“I know, and I love you for it, but… He’s not like Coulter. He’s not a soldier. And he’s got his sister, Brea. A career he loves.” She shook her head. “I can’t ask him to give all that up for… this.” She startled when Coulter walked back in. “Don’t worry. Everything works out the way it should in the end. Rest.”
She walked to the door, paused. “And no acrobatics until neither of you are at risk of puncturing a lung.”
Coulter rolled his eyes as Scout shut the door. “Everything okay?”
Neve leaned into him when he climbed on the bed beside her, wrapped his arm around her. “Unsure, but I’ll keep an eye on her. Let you know. Until then…”
He laughed. “You heard your teammates. No fun until we won’t break anything.”
“Pretty sure you can hold me without requiring CPR afterwards.”
“I don’t know, with the way you breathe…” He coughed when she swatted his good side. “I think I can manage that.”
“You’d better. You still owe me for going up in that damn lift.”
“Right. It’s the lift that was the worst of it.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “But I’m with Scout. Never scare me like that again. Now, rest. I’ve got plans for us.”
EPILOGUE
Two weeks later…
Coulter sat in an oversized chair in the main living room, Neve snugged in beside him, her head on his shoulder, one of her legs over his. He had a cold beer sweating on a small table beside him, the Canucks playing on the big screen. The kind of lazy day he’d thought he’d permanently lost a month ago.
Christ, had it really only been a month since Neve had stepped out of the fog and saved more than just his life.
She’d saved his soul.
Neve placed her hand on his chest, looked up at him. “Are you sure I’m not hurting you?”
He chuckled. “You were the one who nearly died. I just got a few new bruises.”
“I didn’t nearly die. That bullet missed everything, remember?”
“Doesn’t negate the fact you were on the verge of crossing over into that white light when we got you back here.”
He dropped a kiss on her forehead. They’d tried to keep any shows of affection restricted to their room, but somewhere between nearly burying her a second time, and finally being able to move without pain, the notion had gotten lost. Or maybe he just didn’t care who saw them, anymore. Not after everything she’d sacrificed to keep him alive.
Neve huffed but burrowed closer, seemingly content to spend the rest of the day in his arms, when footsteps echoed down the hallway, a swirl of air curling along the floor from the back door. He straightened, taking Neve with him as he stood, Sig already in his hand.
Neve frowned, moving with him over to the center of the room when a familiar face rounded the corner, some of his weight balanced on the cane in his hand, Darwin walking confidently beside him. She inhaled, her hand flying to her mouth before she darted across the open space, nearly tackling Kane to the floor.
Kane rolled his eyes. “Jesus, Monroe, I’ve only been at the clinic. It’s not as if I died, like you tried to do.”
Neve crossed her arms. “The last time we saw you, Darwin and Shepherd carried your broken ass out of here, acting as if you wouldn’t make it to that clinic. So, stop pretending like there wasn’t a reason to worry. And I’m fine.”
“First of all, my ass was fine, it was my back that wasn’t doing so great. Second, where you’re concerned, I’ll let Darwin and Wynn be the judge of that.” His gaze raked over Coulter, a sly smile curving his lips. “Captain Barrett. Why aren’t I surprised that you found your way here?”
