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It was a nagging, persistent need that didn’t let up until there she finally was, rushing through the doors with Trick on her heels.
“Thank God,” I breathed, surging forward. I didn’t stop until I literally ran into her and scooped her up, gathering her into my arms with a bear hug as tight as I’d ever given anyone.
“Thank God,” I said again, burying my face in her neck and inhaling her Japanese Cherry Blossom scent. My arms trembled when she hugged me back. And then I couldn’t help myself, I started to blurt out everything.
“I thought it was you. When I first heard your name and the word accident. For a full minute, I thought it was you. And my life fucking ended. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. I definitely couldn’t rationalize the fact that you weren’t even with your car. Everything inside me shut down, and I just panicked. God. I don’t think I can let you go. My arms are physically unable to release you.”
“Luke,” she whispered, cupping my face between her hands. “It’s okay. I’m okay. I’m right here. Look at me.”
I shook my head, my jaw locked because I was almost too afraid to look up and see someone else’s face. But then I did look, and there was Chloe. The woman I loved.
“Oh, thank God.” Tears filled my eyes. “Don’t ever do that to me again,” I rasped heatedly.
She sent me a watery-eyed smile and nodded. “Okay.” Then she glanced past me toward our family that had already gathered and where Trick had already joined their crew. “What do we know?”
“Nothing,” I said. “Absolutely nothing. As soon as Julian arrived, they took him away to God knows where, and we haven’t heard anything at all.”
Chloe nodded and pulled out of my arms as if to walk toward the others, and I took her hand, unable to stop touching her in some capacity.
Together, we started toward them, only for Chloe to jar to a halt and call, “Logan?”
I lifted my face to see the stalker cop she’d never gotten around to having dinner with. He was in uniform and had been hurrying down the hall past us, but when he heard his name, he glanced over and paused.
“Hey,” he said in surprise and changed directions to approach.
I tightened my grip on Chloe’s hand, and she shifted closer, patting my arm in reassurance.
“I take it you’re aware that your car’s been in an accident?” Logan asked.
“Yes.” She pressed closer to me. “My—my sister-in-law, Nia, was borrowing it. Is she… Do you know how she’s doing?”
He shook his head briefly. “No. Sorry. I was heading back there to find out right now, though.” He glanced over when Pick approached us to listen in.
Chloe shifted to include him in the conversation. “This is my dad,” she introduced. “Pick Ryan.”
“Sir.”
Logan stepped forward and shook with him as Chloe asked the cop, “Is it true that Dax was in the other car?”
The cop sent her a regretful glance. “I’m afraid so. Multiple witnesses saw him purposely sideswipe the vehicle and run her off the road.”
“Oh God.” Chloe covered her mouth and turned toward me, while Pick swore under his breath and ran a hand through his hair.
I pulled Chloe close and held her while Logan continued.
“The vehicle she was in—your car—ended up in a tree, and Freston also lost control of his Mitsubishi before he crashed into a culvert.”
“Is he…?” Pick paused, not asking the full question.
“He was still alive when the ambulance arrived,” Logan answered, looking apologetic. “But I don’t think either driver was doing very well.”
With a shudder, Chloe rested her hand on my shoulder, and I began to rub her back as I kissed her cheek.
“We checked your car and found a tracker. I don’t know how long he’s been keeping tabs on you. But we took it for evidence and can use it for the case against him. If he survives this, he’s not bonding out again.”
“Thank God,” I muttered.
Pick asked a few more questions, and Logan answered them to the best of his ability, but it was obvious he was in a hurry to get somewhere else, so Chloe’s dad thanked him for his time and all the information, and the cop nodded before glancing toward Chloe. As he took in the way she and I were wrapped up together, I could see in his eyes that he knew any chance he might’ve had with her was over.
