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Sound around me ceased to exist. I couldn’t hear anything outside of my own heart. Looking up, I saw what I assumed were people moving, but they were blobs, indistinct in color and shape. My mind raced with what steps to take, but I couldn’t grab any of it. All it seemed to focus on was that I was going to lose someone. That I was responsible.
Tears fell down my cheeks as I rocked back and forth. I smoothed the hair away from Milo’s forehead, praying to whoever would listen to let him live.
“Darling?” a voice croaked, reaching my ears. A hand squeezed mine, and I realized it was Milo’s who I was holding.
“Milo?” I asked.
“What… happened?” he whispered, trying to open his eyes.
“Ssh, don’t. I’ll get you help.” I began to look around, my gaze landing on a familiar dark head of hair and dark eyes as they charged toward me. My body sagged in relief as I realized that help had arrived.
“It will be okay, now,” I said to Milo to reassure myself as tears fell down my cheeks harder.
“Over here,” Ryker shouted, directing an EMT to us. My body shook, and I struggled to let go of Milo. It was only through Ryker’s coaxing that they’d be able to give him medical attention, that I could release him.
As soon as he was on the stretcher, Ryker scooped me up and stormed out of the mall with me in his arms. I didn’t fight him, not caring about our history any longer. It all seemed so trivial when people’s lives were at stake. I buried my head in his arms, no longer feeling the high of defeating Dex at his own game. He might be a coward, but he covered his bases, and I hadn’t anticipated that. Ryker carried me outside, and I clung to him, needing to feel safe.
“Ssh, little hacker. You did well. I’ll take care of this. I promise. Dex will be held responsible.”
I peered up into his eyes, finding them trained on me. They held the promise he spoke of and so much more. Ryker showed me at that moment I could trust him, that I wasn’t foolish for doing it. Something in me shifted, and I nodded, my heart slowing as I accepted this.
I wasn’t a scared little girl anymore. I’d become strong and wouldn’t stop until he was brought to justice. Ryker was telling me I didn’t have to do it alone, which felt like the greatest gift.
“Okay,” I said. My heart began to settle, my nerves no longer trembling. I wouldn’t give in to the fear. He might be a psychotic genius, but he was still a man, which meant he could be defeated.
“I need to go and check over some things. I will leave you with Cohen and meet you at the base. Milo will be taken there and given the best treatment.”
Nodding, I watched as he hesitated before lightly pressing a kiss to my forehead, holding me to his chest. “I thought I’d lost you,” he whispered so quietly that I almost wondered if I imagined it. Before responding, he set me on my feet, nodding to someone behind me.
“Fin?” Cohen asked, taking my hand. “Let’s get you checked out, sweetheart.”
I turned to him, my body exhaling at his nearness. Nodding, I wrapped my arms around him, needing to feel his comfort. “Asa?” I asked.
“Right here, babe.”
I lifted my head, finding him near, and raised my hand to draw him closer. He came willingly, and the three of us stood in the parking lot in a three-person hug. They both petted my hair, reassuring themselves I was okay.
“Come on, we can get back to the base and check on Milo once you’re clear.”
They directed me to a paramedic who quickly cleaned and bandaged my cuts, stating I’d need to watch for a concussion, but otherwise, I was injury free. I had a slight sprain to my wrist, but it should heal in a few days. Considering the circumstances, I was lucky.
Asa and Cohen both seemed to exhale in relief at the news. As they began to lead me toward a car, I spotted a familiar face. I turned toward them despite my boyfriend's grumblings.
“Leo?”
He looked up, a faint smile on his face. “Hey, Fin. You okay?” he asked, assessing my injuries.
“Yeah, just a sprain and some minor cuts. How are you?” I nodded to the spot on his arm.
“Alive, thanks to Milo. I was shot, and he saved me. Where is he?” he asked, looking behind me. Tears welled in my eyes, and he caught them, his face falling.
“He was caught in the explosion. I’m not sure how he is. We’re headed back now.” My lip began to tremble, tears threatening to fall again, but I held them back. I couldn’t fall apart here, or I’d never recover.
“He’s strong. He’ll pull through.”
I nodded, hoping Leo was right. Patting his arm, I turned back to Asa and Cohen, taking their hands as they led me to the car. Once inside the vehicle, Asa pulled me into his arms, and I shut my eyes, hoping that things would be different when I woke.
* * *
