Page 167 of Noel Secrets

Now, she would never get to enjoy her inheritance.

Never get to see David graduate or get married.

Never get to tell Clay she would follow him anywhere.

Tires squealed to a stop. Doors opened. Footsteps approached them as a voice thundered through the air. “Drop it, Suzanne!”

Clay.

He ran toward them, Dean close behind, both with weapons drawn.

Darby’s heart soared but Suzanne seemed unfazed by their presence. Her face was still full of rage, and that gun could go off at any moment. Darby wasn’t sure she knew others had arrived.

Chief Dean grabbed Suzanne by the arms and pulled her off, knocking the gun from her hand in one swift movement. She screamed and tried to fight him but he shook her until she calmed down.

“Don’t even try,” he snapped. “I know everything, Suzanne. The kidnapping. The money. Grand larceny. I can’t help you out of this one.”

Suzanne’s mouth opened—but no words came.

Darby stumbled back, chest heaving. Clay put away his weapon as he moved to her. He pulled her into his arms. “David?” she gasped. Once the shock of nearly dying passed, her first thoughts were of her son.

“He’s safe,” Clay whispered. “We’ve got him. He’s okay.”

Relief broke over her like a tidal wave. She clung to him, shaking. “Are you sure? Are you really sure?”

“Yes, I shot Max myself. David is fine.”

She crumped into his arms. “You saved me.”

“I promised I would.”

She tilted her head, eyes filling with tears. “I was so afraid. I wanted to call you, but they had David. They were watching me.”

He shushed her as he rubbed her hair. “It’s okay. I know. But you’re both safe now. I promise.”

As the pounding in her ears lessened, she heard Suzanne yelling again, proclaiming her innocence and trying to blame Darby for everything. “This is all her fault,” she insisted. “You have to believe me.” She touched his face and tried to appeal to him. “Please, you have to do something.”

She held her breath, waiting to see if Chief Dean would revert to his old ways and try to help her. Clay tensed too, his fingers lingering near his weapon.

Dean opened the back seat of Suzanne’s car and pulled out the suitcase, unzipping it to expose the cash.

“We’ll share it,” Suzanne insisted. “You and me, Jeff. Partners.”

He rubbed his head with his free hand but didn’t let her go. “It’s not your money, Suzanne.”

“But I deserve it more than she does. She gets everything. Please, you can fix this. I know you can.” She pressed herself against him. “You’re the law, Jeff. You have the power.”

He pushed her away. “No, Suzanne. We’re talking about kidnapping, grand larceny, and attempted murder. I can’t help you get out of that. I won’t. You’re under arrest.” He rattled off her Miranda warnings as he pulled her hands behind her back and cuffed her, her eyes widening in shock as they locked in place. Then she turned her rage on him, yelling and fighting him as he walked her to the car.

Darby’s knees buckled with relief as she realized it was finally over. Clay’s arms tightened around her and he held her up. Darby smiled through her tears. “I’ll follow you anywhere, Clay. There’s nothing keeping me in Sheraton anymore. I never want to be without you again.”

“You won’t be.” He cupped her face, pulled her close and kissed her—slow, certain, and full of everything she’d ever dreamed.

Behind them, sirens wailed in the distance, approaching the scene.

But for once, the danger was behind them—and the future stretched ahead.

Together.