Page 103 of Beckett

She reached out with trembling fingers, touching his head gently as if she was afraid he might break. Jet’s eyes opened fully, focusing on her with that complete devotion dogs gave to their people. His tail managed another thump. She lay down on the ground so they were face-to-face.

“You saved me.” Her voice broke completely. “You silly, wonderful dog. You actually saved me.”

She gently stroked his ears. “I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry he hurt you.”

“None of this is your fault.” I knelt beside them, one hand on her shoulder, the other checking Jet’s wounds. The bleeding had slowed but not stopped. He needed real medical attention, fast. “Jet did exactly what he wanted to do. He protected you.”

Through the trees, I could hear more vehicles arriving—ambulances, more deputies, some of the Resting Warrior guys. The cavalry had well and truly arrived, but right now, in this moment, it was just the three of us in the forest shadows.

The woman I’d fallen for despite every wall I’d built, the dog everyone had written off as a failure, and me—the soldier who’d finally managed to trust his instincts in time.

“Help’s coming,” I told them both, though I wasn’t sure who needed to hear it more. “Everything’s going to be okay now.”

They both looked up at me, and I could swear there was hope in both their eyes.

“Promise?” she whispered.

I thought about all the promises I’d broken, all the people I’d failed to save. Rodriguez. All the ghosts that visited me at three in the morning. That wasn’t ever going away. But this time, looking at Audra, covered in dirt and pine needles, holding the wounded dog who’d finally found his courage when it mattered, I knew I could keep this one.

“Promise.” And I meant it.

Chapter 34

Audra

The cabin door opened, and Beckett filled the frame, late-afternoon sun backlighting him in gold. Seventy-two hours had passed since Reggie’s attack. Since Jet had taken stab wounds meant for me. Since Lark’s skull had met the business end of a metal bar and somehow didn’t crack.

My nightmare had finally, truly ended.

“How’s our patient?” Beckett crossed to where Jet lay on his dog bed, the plastic cone around his neck making him look both pitiful and ridiculous.

“That cone is driving him insane.” I set down the knife I’d been using to prep vegetables, wiping my hands on the dish towel. “But the vet said two more weeks minimum.”

Jet’s tail thumped weakly against his bed at Beckett’s approach. The German shepherd tried to stand, but I moved quickly, my palm gentle on his side.

“Easy, boy. You’re supposed to be resting.”

“Never been his strong suit.” Beckett knelt beside us, fingers gentle on Jet’s head. “Always has to be in motion.”

“How’s Lark?” We’d all been taking turns checking on her.

He chuckled. “At this point, I think she just wants to be left alone and for everyone to stop hovering.”

It was a miracle she was alive with no permanent damage. Right now, she had a little light sensitivity, but she was getting around on her own and the doctors felt like she would be back to full speed soon.

It looked like we all would. We were all moving forward. Putting Reggie completely behind us.

Which was why I’d wanted to give Beckett a redo of his birthday dinner.

“You didn’t have to do all this again.”

“Yes, I did.” I returned to chopping carrots, keeping my tone light. “Your actual birthday got inadvertently hijacked by a psychopath. You deserve a proper celebration. The steaks are marinating. Should be ready to grill in about an hour.”

His body pressed against my back, arms caging me against the cool refrigerator door. “Good. Then we have time.”

“I need to finish?—”

“Dinner can wait.” His breath stirred the hair at my nape, sending shivers down my spine. “Just…let me hold you for a minute.”