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But is that enough?It’s a question I don’t have the answer to, and my head hurts trying to process everything.
Despite shedding enough tears to sink a ship, I climb the stairs with tears running down my face. I suddenly feel exhausted and want nothing more than to close my eyes and forget what a clusterfuck my life has become.
ChapterTwenty-Eight
Sawyer
As Hallie walks out of the den, I drop my head. It feels like she’s pulling away, and I hate it. I’ll give her some time alone, but I refuse to let her distance herself from me. Not for Logan, not for Bryant, not for anyone.
I find my parents along with Liam and Brooke in the kitchen. They all stop talking when I walk in. “Where’s Hallie? Is she okay?” Brooke asks as she rounds the breakfast bar and pulls me in for a hug. “That was some scary shit, Sawyer.”
“She’s gone upstairs to lie down. I’ve no idea if she’s okay. I doubt it, but she wants to be on her own,” I say as Brooke steps out of the hug. “Logan asked me if there was something going on between us, and I lied. He’d pull me off the case if he knew there was, and I can’t let that happen.”
“You love her, right? I wasn’t wrong earlier at the lake?” Brooke asks, her hand on my arm.
“Yeah, I love her.”
“Then give her a couple of hours and fight for her. There is no way she wants to push you away. She probably thinks she’s ruining your career, and with everything else going on, it’s no wonder she needs some time.”
“I don’t care about the job. I’ve already decided this is my last assignment.”
“Then tell her that. She loves you, Sawyer. I can see it every time she looks at you.”
My mom rounds the breakfast bar and kisses me on the cheek. “I agree with Brooke. Give her some time. I’ve got to admit, after this afternoon, hearing you say Hallie is your last assignment fills me with relief. I don’t think I’ve ever let myself think about how dangerous your job is. Seeing you with that gun…” she trails off, her voice breaking. My dad comes to her side and pulls her against him.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“What are you going to do instead?” Liam asks.
“I think I might apply to the police again.”
“Oh, great! Something else nice and safe,” my mom exclaims.
“It’s what I know, Mom, and I’m always careful. It’s time I faced my demons and went back.”
“Does Hallie know you used to be a cop?” Brooke asks.
“Yeah, she does. She doesn’t know why I left, though. I guess we have a lot to talk about.” She offers me a sad smile. “I’m going to take a shower.”
Leaving everyone in the kitchen, I head upstairs, hoping Hallie will be asleep in my room. I silently open my bedroom door, my heart dropping at the sight of my empty bed. Crossing the hallway, I press my ear to Hallie’s door, but I’m met with silence. She must be sleeping.
After a quick shower, I pull on some jeans and a T-shirt before padding across the hallway to Hallie’s room. Opening the door, she’s wearing my T-shirt and is fast asleep on top of the comforter. As I walk nearer to the bed, I can see from her red, puffy eyes she’s been crying again. My heart breaks knowing I wasn’t there to hold her. Sitting on the edge of her bed, my hands itch to touch her. I hold back though, not wanting to wake her.
Letting her sleep, I go back to my room and sit on the bed. My head is pounding after the afternoon events, and I rub my temples in an attempt to ward off the headache. A large part of me had wanted to find Bryant this afternoon so this nightmare could finally be over for Hallie. When I’d found no evidence of anyone at the cabin, I was frustrated and angry. It has been weeks since his escape, and we’re no closer to catching him. Knowing we can’t stay at the lake past the end of the week only frustrates me further. I don’t want to take Hallie to a safe house, but I will if that becomes my only option.
Grabbing my phone, I pull up my emails, firing off a message to a contact at the Tybee Island Police Department. Now that I’ve made my decision to leave close protection, I want to get something sorted soon. I’d loved being a cop, and despite leaving on bad terms, something’s telling me now is the right time to go back.
My phone rings in my hand, and I groan as Logan’s name flashes across the screen. The last thing I want is to get into it with him about Hallie and me, but I have to speak to him. It could be important.
Sighing, I answer the call, “Hey, Logan. What’s up?”
“Sawyer, we’ve found where Bryant’s been hiding out.” I jump up, pacing the room.
“So, you’ve got him?” I ask, almost holding my breath.
“No. Not yet. The cops stumbled across something when they were searching an abandoned warehouse in Savannah. He wasn’t there, but he definitely has been.”
“How do you know it was him? It could have been someone sleeping rough.”
