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The one that belonged to Gia.
“Come back to bed,” she whispered when they finally broke for breath. She twined her fingers with his and rose, gently pulling him to his feet.
He followed—willing, undone.
And then he made love to her again—slow and reverent, pouring every piece of himself into her.
Her soft, breathy cry as she came unshackled the boy he’d once been—watching life from the outside—and freed the man who could finally love.
He loved Gia. She was his family.
And, after reading his mother’s journals, he owed his Diné family a fresh start, built upon the ashes of misunderstanding and regret.
All they had to do was get through the next few days.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Acarenginecutthrough the quiet. Too close.
Caleb’s eyes flew open. He found his gun on the nightstand, slipped out of bed, and crept into the living room to peer through the blinds.
Snow had dusted the ground overnight as he and Gia slept, turning the beige earth white and frosting the desert scrub. The sandstone buttes blazed brighter than usual in the early morning sun—vibrant red-orange and stark brown.
A dark blue SUV braked in front of the cottage. From it emerged a tall, shaggy blond wearing a red Hawaiian shirt under a brown Carhartt jacket, faded jeans, and white Nike high-tops.
I’ll be damned.
Caleb ducked into the bedroom, tugging on jeans and a black t-shirt.
Gia had burrowed deep beneath the covers, her dark hair spilling over the pillow.
He kissed her cheek. “Wake up, baby. Get dressed. We’ve got company.”
Not waiting for a response, he headed for the front door.
Outside, Danny Mayhew lifted both hands and flashed a grin full of pearly white teeth. His blue eyes twinkled with amusement.
“Don’t shoot me, bro.” He gestured to Zach's Dodge Charger. “That the car in the pic? Hella sweet ride. Looks like your taste is finally improving.”
Caleb stepped outside and clasped forearms with his Dìleas teammate. “My cousin’s—I’m borrowing it. What are you doing here?”
“The bosses sent me. Officially, I’m on vacay visiting family in California.” Danny winked. “No law says I can’t swing through and check on my buddy while I’m at it.”
We’ve got your six. Always.Nathan’s words.
Help is on the way.Ryder’s voice in his ear.
Caleb cleared his throat, the sudden tightness unexpected. “Thanks, man. Come on in.”
Gia stood in the living room in jeans and a navy sweater that made her eyes even bluer. With her hair in a ponytail and no makeup, she looked more like a college student than a seasoned doctor.
Mine.
“Gia, this is Danny Mayhew—one of my colleagues at Dìleas.”
“Ma’am.” Danny gave her a respectful nod, then shot Caleb a sideways look.
“Nice to meet you, Danny.” Gia offered the former SEAL a polite smile.