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And he should have. At the very least, he should have waited outside for Raelyn to arrive.
His calf wound throbbed, but he was thankful it was a minor injury. If Banner wasn’t lying about the tungsten carbide slugs, this showdown could have ended badly.
The ambulance arrived. There was a flurry of activity as the paramedics rushed in to provide care for Steve Banner. He recognized the friendly face of Colin Finnegan, but other than giving him a nod in return, the firefighter slash paramedic quickly turned his attention to the wounded man.
Steele limped over to where Harper sat at the kitchen table. Now that the immediate threat had been neutralized, she looked shell-shocked. Her palms were spread protectively over her belly.
“Have the cramps returned?” He dropped to one knee beside her. “We can call that second ambulance if you need to go back to the hospital.”
“No need, I’m fine.” Then she shook her head. “That’s a lie. I’m not fine. I can’t believe Banner is one of the bad guys. And that he shot you.”
“The worst part was when he threatened you,” he said softly. “And your baby.”
She nodded. “Selfishly, I was worried about my baby. I guess the good news is that I don’t have any cramping.”
“I’m so sorry,” he murmured. “I never wanted you to be in harm’s way.”
“It’s not your fault.” She drew in a long, deep breath. “But I’ll be glad when the danger is over for good.”
“Rhy is taking Perkins into custody until he’s cleared. And Rhy let me know that Otterson was spilling details on Tommy Grotto too. He even admitted to striking out at Gibson, hitting him in the head when he discovered there was an arrest warrant issued for him.” He shook his head. “Sounds like Grotto had more loyalty for his old man than the other way around.”
“It’s horrible to think that a father would turn against his son,” she said.
“Don’t worry, we’ll find Grotto. Rhy has the entire team scattered in different directions to help tie up the loose ends.”
She lifted her gaze to his. “Once Tommy Grotto is arrested, the danger will be over for good.”
“Yeah.” He wrapped his arms around her slim shoulders and hugged her. Harper deserved to get back to her old life. Steele wanted nothing more than for her to be safe, to have her baby in peace.
Yet he also didn’t want to let her go.
He’d fallen in love with her. That moment he’d stepped in front of her to face off with Banner, he’d fully expected to die. He hadn’t cared about that as long as he could take Banner down with him.
Long enough for Harper to escape.
“Let’s get him out of here.” Colin’s voice reached his ears. He turned in time to see Colin and another paramedic wheel Steve Banner out of the safe house. There was no denying the spurt of satisfaction in seeing Banner’s ankle cuffed to the gurney.
“I’m coming with you,” Brock said.
“No argument here,” Colin agreed.
Raelyn followed them outside, leaving them alone. Maybe she’d sensed that he needed some time with Harper.
“I love you.” He hadn’t meant to blurt the words out like that, but he couldn’t regret them either.
“You—what?” Her green eyes widened. “That’s not possible.”
“It is possible. I love you.” The words came easier this time. “I understand you may not feel the same way. But at the very least, I would ask that you come and stay with me for a few weeks. In the guest room,” he hastily added. “And just long enough to be sure that all of the people involved in the gunrunning organization have been arrested.”
A flare of exasperation darkened her eyes. “I don’t want or need your pity or charity. I’m perfectly capable of getting a second part-time job as a server if needed.”
“I don’t pity you, and this isn’t about charity.” He tried to soften his sharp tone. “I love you, Harper. You’re a strong woman who showed me what it is like to have faith in God.”
She shook her head. “You don’t know what you’re saying. I’m pregnant. No sane man would want to be with a woman about to give birth to another man’s child.”
“The baby is yours, and I will love him or her no matter what.”
She continued shaking her head. “That doesn’t make sense. I trust you, but I don’t have anything to offer you.”
