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Isaac nodded slowly and his gaze moved to Rachel on the floor. “Are you sure she’s not going to die?”
Lia nodded. “I’d like to check her again, but the knife didn’t penetrate any vital organs. Can I check her?”
Joe didn’t take his eyes off the man. He saw the moment Isaac gave up. He dropped his arm from around Lia, then held the knife out to the side and let it drop to the floor.
Lia moved to Rachel and Joe stepped around her to Isaac. The fight had gone out of the man and he rubbed his face with his hands. “I’m sorry.”
Joe stuffed down the need to plow his fist into the man’s face. “I’m going to have to cuff you now, Isaac.”
He nodded and turned for the cuffs without a complaint.
Mitch moved in from the main room with his first aid kit and knelt next to Lia while Sam and Flynn filed in after him, holstering their guns when they saw Isaac in cuffs. Marcus, Graham and Nico walked in from the back, also holstering their weapons.
Marcus took Isaac by the arm. “We’re going to head to the police station.” He looked at the rest of them. “I’ll need your statements once everything here is settled.”
Joe nodded and knelt beside Lia. He didn’t want to stop her caring for Rachel, but he had to touch her. He rubbed his hand over her back and kissed her hair. “Are you okay? You were amazing.”
Rachel spoke. “You both were. Where’s Owen? Is he okay?”
Joe hadn’t even realized she was awake.
Mitch patted the gauze he’d put on the wound. “Owen is fine. He’s with Bella and Aisling over at the firehall. He’s scared, but he’s playing with Loki.” Mitch grinned at her. “I think he’s going to be angling for a dog of his own after this.”
Rachel’s laugh was watery. “I bet. Can I see him?”
Lia looked at the floor. “Maybe not here with all the blood. We’ll get you something else to wear too. Then we’ll go next door and see if I have the supplies to take care of this here. If not, we’ll get you to the nearest doctor.”
Rachel shook her head. “I don’t have insurance. I’m sure it’s fine.”
Lia’s voice was shaky. “It’s not going to cost you a dime. I’m so sorry that Isaac hurt you in order to get to me.”
Rachel smiled. “It’s not your fault. I’m glad you guys were able to stop him. You make a very good team.”
Joe couldn’t agree more.
Mitch and Flynn helped Rachel to her feet. She insisted on walking, saying she wasn’t badly hurt. She just wanted her son.
Lia stripped off her gloves and packed up her equipment with shaking hands. Joe helped, his own shaking not under control either.
When she started to stand, Joe couldn’t wait any longer. He wrapped himself around Lia and buried his head in her hair. She was alive. “I’ve never been so scared in my life, Lia. When I saw that knife at your throat, I completely froze inside. I couldn’t even look at you in case I lost my shit and screwed it all up.”
“You were amazing, Joe.” And then her voice broke and she sobbed into his chest.
Lia didn’t cry very often, but this time she couldn’t stop the sobs. Joe’s arms held her tightly and kept her safe while she let it all out. “I’m sorry.”
He kissed her hair, his hands roaming over her back, offering comfort. Then his voice tickled her ear. “Nothing to be sorry for. Nothing wrong with tears or letting them out. You’re brilliant, strong as steel, and so goddamn brave you scare the hell out of me.”
His hands moved to her face and he gently tipped it up so she was looking at him. His eyes were shiny and full of emotion. “I love you, Lia.”
Her heart slammed into her ribs with complete joy and the tears threatened again. “I love you too, Joe. I was too scared to say it before because it seems really fast, but I am totally in love with you. After what just happened, waiting to tell you seems so silly. I might have never had the chance to say the words. I love you.”
Joe nodded with a shaky smile. “I was thinking the same thing. I was terrified. I couldn’t look at you for fear I’d fall apart. God, Lia, he had a knife to your throat.”
Joe’s arms wrapped around her again and she clung to his strength. “I’m okay. Because of you. You were amazing, Joe. Thank you.”
“You were incredible, Lia. You didn’t panic. You did all the right things. You made yourself human instead of a target and brought Lindsay to life for Isaac. So smart. I fell in love with a kick-ass woman.”
This kiss was gentle and so emotional, it filled up all the cracks and holes in her heart. Her fears of rejection and being useless took wing and departed. She was loved by this man and she had a future just waiting for her.
