Page 22 of No Room to Breathe

Epilogue

Three days later, Devynsat in Marlene’s sunroom as a steady rain poured over the sunroom windows.She was still sore from the attack and her emotions were a strange blend of weariness over the loss and joy in the survival.

Thankfully, Cade had brought her over, and relayed the whole story so Marlene wouldn’t worry and Devyn didn’t have to strain her voice.Talking was more reliable and less draining than telepathy, but she didn’t tell him.

Each day brought another article about Dowdy and his crimes and the horrors they were uncovering with the investigation.

“I’m not sure what happened,” she admitted as she swallowed the last of her tea.It was a restorative blend Marlene kept on hand.

“You saved a life.”Marlene took the tea cup and returned with a glass of wine for each of them.“What’s left to be sure of?”

“It seems to be muddled in my mind,” she murmured.“The nightmare, fighting back.Cade showing up and...And doing what needed to be done.”She touched her throat where the bruises were still colorful and tender.There were more bruises on her stomach and thighs, but nothing had been broken.No internal injuries.

Marlene smoothed a hand over Devyn’s hair.“You’re afraid Dowdy would’ve won if Cade hadn’t shown up,” she observed.

“Yes.”The quiet admission landed hard in her heart.

“It’s unlikely,” Marlene said with an unexpected brightness.“But I’m glad he kept his promise.”

“You scare him,” Devyn said.

Marlene tossed her head back with a big laugh.“Not nearly as much as you do.”

Devyn wasn’t so sure about that.

Not that it mattered.She was going home as soon as she could comfortably drive and would be well away from Cade and the Chicago police.And though they’d come to some sort of unspoken truce, she probably wouldn’t see Cade again.

That was fine.Perfect.

The twinge near her heart wasn’t any sort of denial.It wasn’t about him at all, just a part of the healing process.

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