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Her mind automatically raced to fill in the blanks around that last statement, though she’d never been one to make a move while emotionally compromised. But she sure as hell wanted to start. “I’m going to need you to spell it out for me, King. And not on a camera without sound.”

“All right. I love you.” He traced his thumb along her bottom lip, and a rush of sensation filtered through her system. “I used to think being a DEA agent was all I was worth, but now I know I’m meant to be your partner. In the field or out. I’m there for you. Whatever happens with my job and the suspension, wherever I end up, I don’t care. Because I have everything I need right here in this...” he surveyed her dark corner of Socorro “...surveillance room.”

“You love me?” Scarlett interlaced her hands behind his neck, drawing his mouth to hers. She was still trying to make sense of the past few minutes, but even off balance by the course of events and finding him in her security room, she hadn’t felt this full in...ever. Whole. And yeah, she felt good, too. King had taken all those broken pieces she’d believed couldn’t be put back together and shown her reality. “I love you, too.”

“Ew!” Julien’s protest broke through the bubble she and King had created around themselves, and Scarlett couldn’t help but enjoy the sound of his voice for the first time.

She pulled back, swiping her hand across her mouth, and couldn’t contain her laugh. Of all the times Julien could’ve broken his silence, she was glad to be part of it. “You’re the one who wanted him to talk so badly.”

“Sorry, buddy.” King held on to her, and she caught sight of a line of tears reflected from the blue-white glow of the monitors. He’d been waiting for this moment for so long, and she couldn’t help but feel that awe in his expression. “We’ll try to behave ourselves.”

Scarlett pressed her index finger into her partner’s chest. “I guess now’s a good time to tell you I’ve already drawn up plans to secure your house. Can’t have the cartel or the triad coming for you or Julien again.”

“Not with C-4, though.” King studied the box not a foot from where they stood. “Right?”

Scarlett hefted the explosives off the desk to bundle with the three she’d already collected from the other floors.

“Scarlett.” King followed after her. “Not with C-4.”

“You said it yourself.” She stacked the boxes together and dusted off her hands, getting a good look at Julien, King and Gruber. Her only wish was that Hans could be here with them, but the K9 would be up and running soon enough. And Scarlett couldn’t wait for what came next. “I’ll do whatever it takes to protect the people I care about.”