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If he’d been involved from the start, the high-speed vehicle interdiction he pulled off at the last minute wouldn’t have been necessary. It was only by the grace of God and Dax’s quick thinking that he was able to arrive in time to intercept the ex’s attempt to run Tancy off the road.
It was a close call that could’ve been avoided, and he found himself swimming in the what-ifs. The screech of seagulls thankfully interrupted the doom train he was about to board, and he took a moment to study the teal green exterior of the Sea Foam motel. The seaside inn was located in the northernmost town on the Outer Banks and appeared to be a decent place to hide out. Duck was home to five hundred souls in the off-season and over twenty thousand after Memorial Day, so as far as options went, it was as good as any.
The clomp of footsteps alerted him to incoming, so he looked away from the motel’s exterior and saw Tancy trudge in his direction. “How are they doing?”
“As good as can be expected. The room has a small kitchenette and a lovely ocean view, so the next several weeks should be bearable for Laura and her kids.”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her against his side. “That was a little close today.” Feeling her soften, he held her tighter. “What if I wasn’t around?”
“I would’ve called the police.” She rested her head against his arm. “I couldn’t take the chance and leave them unprotected.”
“Based on how the ex behaved today, that appears to have been the right choice.”
“Hesitation never pays off in domestic cases, a lesson I learned the hard way.” She exhaled a shaky breath. “One of my first cases out of law school involved a woman seeking a restraining order against her husband. The man had purchased a gun and was threatening suicide and refusing to leave the family home.”
“Does this end like I think it does?”
She nodded slowly. “The order was denied because the judge thought there was insufficient evidence. Three days later, sheriffs were called to the home, and the woman and her son were dead, along with the estranged husband. It was a murder-suicide.”
“What a freaking tragedy.” He watched a tear track down Tancy’s face and gently caught it with his thumb. Impressed by her strength once again, he shifted closer.
“That case has stuck with me and is one of the many reasons why I am so relentless. Justice isn’t always served, and working outside the system is sometimes the only option.”
He pressed a kiss to her head. “I get it. But next time, can you…”
“Is there any chance we can save the safety lecture until tomorrow?” She closed her eyes. “My adrenaline has run out, and I’m skating on fumes.”
He pulled her into another tight hug. “When I saw that asshole driving like a bat out of hell and heading straight for your car, my heart about stopped.”
“I’m sorry, Teague.” Returning the hug, she gave him a small smile. “But wasn’t it exciting to test your fancy driving skills again.” She patted his chest. “If we weren’t friends, then you might never have a chance to keep your skills sharp.”
“I guess that’s one way of looking at it.” He rested their heads together. “But if you could make sure that I’m your first phone call, I’d be appreciative.”
“What if…”
“Doesn’t matter. He tipped her chin up. “Let me be the one on your six.”
“That’s back up, right?”
“Yes.” He leaned back. “Should we get supper before we get back on the road?”
“That’s a good idea, and it will be my treat.” She stepped away from the embrace. “What is the going rate for riding to the rescue anyway?”
“It includes dessert, that’s for damn sure.”
“Fair enough.” She grabbed his hand and squeezed. “Thank you.”
“Anytime.” He looked down at their clasped hands and felt something settle. For the time being, Tancy was safe, and so were her clients. Clearing his throat, he stepped back. “Let’s go to the Paper Canoe.”
“Sounds good.”
Nodding, he listened to the crashing waves echo against the cement parking lot and accepted that doing nothing about his feelings was about to end.
Thirty minutes later, he and Tancy were tucked into a worn wooden booth with a view of the ocean. The small, shingled restaurant sat next to the sand and reminded him of an old beach house his aunt used to own. “I guess this isn’t the worst way to end a difficult day.”
“I agree, and it makes me want to get out more.”
“Oh yeah?” He leaned back. “Where would you like to go?”
