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She pulled back slightly, her fingers trembling as she reached up and gently wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. Her touch was soft, reverent.

“Are you okay?” she whispered. Her eyes scanned his face, then dipped lower, her hands ghosting over his chest, his arms, looking for any sign of injury. “I was so afraid he was going to?—”

“I’m fine.” He cupped her chin, tilting her head so she had no choice but to meet his eyes. “But if you ever throw yourself in front of danger to protect me again, I swear I’m going to lose my mind. You could’ve been killed.”

“You could’ve been killed,” she shot back softly, her lip trembling. “I saw him reach for that gun, and all I could think was… not you. I couldn’t lose you to.”

Rafe didn’t answer. He just pulled her back into him, cradling her as if she might vanish if he let go. Her heartbeat against his chest was the only proof he needed that she was still here, still his.

He pressed a kiss to her temple and breathed her in.

“Let’s get out of here. I’ll fix the door tomorrow,” he said after a moment, his voice low and steady again. “You’re safe now. I’ve got you.”

And he did.

No matter what came next or how much more they had to face, he wasn’t letting her go.

Not now. Not ever.

CHAPTER 16

It had been almost a month since Frisco confessed to killing Davey. A month since everything she thought she knew about her life had cracked open and reshaped into something new.

Most of the time, Billie Ann managed to stay busy. There was always something to do at Shift Faced, from inventory, repairs, managing Shifters and drunks, and trying to keep Bruce from stealing chicken wings off people’s plates.

But tonight, after the last customer left and the doors were locked, the silence sat heavier than usual.

She stood alone in the kitchen, leaning against the counter, the overhead light humming faintly above her. The place smelled like bleach and old fryer oil, with a hint of lemon from the cleaner she’d used to wipe everything down. It was comforting in a strange way. Familiar.

What wasn’t comforting was her phone.

Still nothing.

Rafe had been gone for three days, returning to Mexico to tie up the last of his affairs there. He’d called the first two nights. He had sounded tired, but still teasing and tender. But today… nothing.

And she hated how much that unsettled her.

She set her phone down and took a deep breath. “You’re fine,” she whispered to herself. “He said he’d come back. You believe him so stop freaking out.”

“Hey, everything is cleaned up, so I’m taking off unless you need me to do anything else.” Macy peeked in over the swinging doors. The sparkle that was usually in her eyes was absent.

After what happened with Frisco, Macy had been unusually quiet. Not her bubbly self. Billie Ann knew she’d had feelings for Frisco. How deep those feelings ran, Billie didn’t know. She also didn’t know what had happened to Frisco after that night. Rafe told her that she never had to worry about him again. Honestly, she didn’t want to know. She trusted Rafe fully.

“You okay, Macy?” Billie watched her closely.

“Yeah, I’m good,” Macy said, smiling, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Just tired, but I made a killing on tips tonight.”

“Good,” Billie Ann smiled back. “Listen, if you ever need to talk, I’m here. Okay?”

Macy glanced away, but nodded before looking back at her. “Thanks, Billie Ann.” She then looked around. “I’ll stay if you want me to until you’re finished here.”

“No, you go ahead.” Billie shooed her. “I’m almost done back here. Just lock up when you leave, please.”

“Don’t worry, I’m her protector until Mr. Tall, Dark, and Moody gets back.” Bruce walked underneath the swinging doors.

Billie Ann rolled her eyes, then grinned at Macy. “Be careful going home.”

“I will.” She gave a quick wave and then left, leaving Bruce and her alone.