Page 98 of Last Chance Christmas

“Good call,” Cole said. “The roads are terrible.”

Titan whimpered next to him.

“Titan.” Victoria scrunched her nose. “I need to get going.” She waved her phone. “Duty calls.”

Allen Frees wheeled his way over to them.

“Hey, Frees,” Cole waved.

“Stuart.” Frees stilled his hand on the wheelchair. “Any new leads on Mackey?”

“I hope so. Planning to catch up with Basuto and Donaldson right after I drop Kianna off.”

“Ah. Well, don’t let me hold you. Mackey isn’t going to wait around either.” He rolled around to the front desk.

Titan whined like he knew who they were talking about.

Kianna sucked in a breath. Nothing like adding salt to her already exposed wound.

Cole put on his jacket, so Kianna followed suit. He ushered her outside, then they climbed into his Blazer.

“What’s your address?” Cole shifted the car into Drive and pulled onto the road. The weather had changed to a slight snowfall, and light peeked ever so slightly through the afternoon clouds.

“128 Hillview Circle.” Nausea swirled in her stomach with each passing minute that hastened their arrival at her house. Her time helping on the case was coming to a close, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

When he pulled up to her house, she grabbed her purse and reached for the handle.

Cole shifted the vehicle into Park. “Thanks for everything.”

She shut her eyes for a moment, her back to him. She needed to gain composure, or she’d make a snide remark. After a few seconds, she shifted to face him. “Stay safe. You too, Titan.”

The dog sat up on the seat and wagged his tail.

At least one of them still wanted her around.

She got out of the car and headed inside.

She needed to get some rest. Cole was right about that.

But he’d been wrong about pushing away her help.

She pulled back the curtain and peered out the window.

Except it was too late.

The car turned past the corner.

Her chance to rectify the injustice of Jaxon’s killer walking free disappeared. Along with any hope of a possible romance with Cole.

He’d just driven out of her life.

Nine

Cole had braced himself for the pushback, except it didn’t come. Kianna had gone into her house and let him drive away. And for that, he was thankful. He’d meant what he’d said. Cole didn’t want her to get hurt or die on his watch. He never should have let her tag along on the hunt for Mackey in the first place.

He turned out of her development and headed toward the police station.

He knew the reason for dismissing her help, but he wasn’t about to admit it to her.