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ROSI

When I opened my eyes,Austin was right there, holding my hand. I startled him when I squeezed his fingers. He leaped to his feet then settled back down again to lean over me. The love in his eyes was almost too much for me.

“Who won?” I asked.

His smile told me all I needed to know, and relief swept through me. I tried to hug him and pulled back almost immediately.

“My arm works!” I held both out in front of me, marveling at them. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“It took a few days, but they fixed you up. There’s barely a scar thanks to the Bennets’ doctors.”

Frowning, I tugged at my hospital gown to peek at the crooked white line embedded in my shoulder.

“So sexy,” Austin purred, and I couldn’t believe the reaction between my legs.

“The effect you have on me is insane,” I said with a sigh. “How long have I been out?”

Gently stroking my cheek, Austin informed me it had been nearly a week since I’d lost consciousness.

“Cora?” I asked.

“She’s fine. So is Toklo. The only one with lasting injuries is Carter, but apparently, he’s pretty excited about his new cyberlimbs.”

“And the tupilaq?”

“I honestly don’t know. He disappeared after killing the atshen.”

I nodded, taking in the information. “I suppose he was no longer needed once his purpose was served. I won’t mourn his loss, but I am grateful that he was there. Still, there were humans that did suffer. The doctor—”

“I know. I wish I could have gotten out of the machine sooner.” Austin glanced at the wall, and I turned his face back to me.

“I’m relieved that you weren’t hurt. If you had been, we couldn’t have done it. The whole resort and everyone in it would have perished.”

“It took both of us,” Austin agreed. “We make a great team, Rosi.”

I beamed back. I couldn’t help it.

Then reality set in, sinking me back into my pillow.

“What is it?” Austin asked, coming to sit on my bed. “Should I call the doc?”

“No. It isn’t physical,” I said. “It’s just… Vacation’s over. I don’t want to go back to California.”

Straightening, Austin took my hand in his and turned it over to examine it as he spoke.

“Then don’t go back. Stay with me. Like I said, we make a good team.”

“Stay with you?” I repeated. It wasn’t as though the idea didn’t appeal. But— “I want to be with you, Austin, but I need to figure out what I want from life now that I don’t have a driving need to prove myself by exposing the existence of cryptids.”

“Actually, there’s someone who wants to speak to us about that.”

Austin stood and rushed out the door. My heart raced as I waited. I didn’t like being alone when I had no idea where I was or what was happening, especially after what we’d been through.

Just when I thought I might get up and rush out of the room as well, Austin returned with Nicole Bennet and another man. Sitting up straighter, I glanced from one to the other as they approached, Nicole’s heels clicking on the tile floor. The tall, blonde man felt familiar.

“Glad to see you awake, Miss Sanchez,” Nicole said. “I’d like to introduce my brother, Mason.”