"I appreciate what you did, but it doesn't mean I trust you." Sterling pushed to his feet. He took a moment to file everything because he couldn't not do it. His training wouldn't allow it. Hismind demanded it. And in an hour or two, every damn alphabet agency in the country was gonna want to know what the hell happened, and Sterling was going to be the best bet for a detailed report. That was just the reality.
Once he was satisfied his brain had what it needed, he crossed to Juniper because waiting one more second wasn’t going to happen.
She turned, and he hauled her into his arms.
Pain tore through his ribs, but he didn’t give a damn. Her hands came up his back, strong and warm and real. Her face pressed against his neck.
“Well, hello,” she said.
“Are you okay?”
“I stabbed my handler with a syringe.”
“That's not what I asked.” He tightened his hold.
"It's all I got right now." She tilted her head. "There's a lot to unpack. To process. But I'm not dead, and neither are you. And that's something." She palmed his face and smiled. "That's everything."
He touched the bruise on her cheek with his thumb, light enough that he barely brushed skin. “You can have my six anytime.”
"That's not something I ever thought I'd hear you say to me."
“Yeah, well, I'd rather you be my bed partner."
Nick groaned. “I think I have a head injury. Can you please respect my condition?”
"Absolutely not." Sterling kissed her temple. Her cheek. And ignored the fact the police chief had just blown through the door.
Dawson paused at the threshold. “What is it with you people. You always start all the fun without me.”
“I gave you the heads up like fifteen minutes ago,” Doyle said.
“It takes a normal person twenty minutes to get here.” Dawson waved his team in, pointed to different areas, and they went right to work.
Hayes barreled through, his paramedic team right behind him, and they went right to work on Bea.
Koda lifted his head. Sweat slicked his face. “I want an attorney.”
Dawson crouched in front of him. “And once we get you processed, you can call one.”
Sterling didn't care about any of it right now. Gently, he cupped her face. "I love you," he whispered.
"Not what you said a few minutes ago."
"You're really going to hold me to that?"
"No." She smiled.
He kissed her. Soft. Sweet. Tender.
“Excuse me, this is a crime scene,” Dawson said. “Take that shit outside.”
Sterling lifted his mouth from Juniper’s. “How about I take my lady home.”
"That's not happening for a while." Dawson slapped him on the back. "It's going to be a long night."
"Come on Romeo." Nick wrapped his arm around Sterling. The three of them slipped out into the night.
They might have confirmation that Koda was behind Shrike, but the fallout from this would take years to unravel.
