Page 15

15

Raven

It felt good to be back home. I dove beneath the crashing waves again and again, letting them slam into me like a cleansing force. For nearly an hour, I swam out past the breakers, away from everything, before finally surrendering, letting the tide pull me back toward shore.

My heart and mind were at war. My heart whispered I was in love with Beatrice. My mind argued back—I didn’t know her well enough for it to be love. It was madness.

When my feet touched sand again, I trudged onto the beach, chest heaving, water dripping from every inch of me. That’s when I saw Oliver standing there, arms crossed.

“I thought I was going to have to rescue you,” he said, scowling. “What the hell were you thinking, swimming out that far?”

I gave him a tired look. “Were you really that worried about me?”

“Yeah. I was. You promised me breakfast this morning, remember? That new place downtown—you said you were treating.”

“No, you said you were treating me to breakfast this time.”

Oliver rolled his eyes. “Whatever. Just get changed so we can go.”

As I turned to head inside, Gage stepped out and waved Oliver over.

“I’ll talk with Gage while you get ready,” Oliver said.

Twenty minutes later, I came back out, showered and dressed. I spotted Troy chatting with a few of the guys. I caught part of the conversation and froze.

“…Beatrice went to investigate,” Troy was saying.

I stepped closer. “What about Beatrice?”

“She went with the Fire Marshal to check out that warehouse fire in Palm Desert,” Troy explained. “If the person behind all this figures out she’s involved, she could be a target.”

“Then she shouldn’t be anywhere near the investigation.”

“We’ve told her that,” Troy said, frustration creeping into his voice. “But you know Beatrice. The more you tell her to back off, the more determined she gets. She keeps saying we need to trust her judgment, but Dan and I are not comfortable with it. That’s why I’m here. Can you talk to her?”

“I already told her to be careful. She said she would.” I sighed. “But I’m flying overseas tomorrow. I need someone to keep an eye on her while I’m gone.”

“You’re leaving? Where to?”

“Ukraine. Some friends need our help.”

“Wait—are you joining the war over there?” Troy asked.

“Hell no. Our war-fighting days are over. We do rescues now. One of our guys, Sam, is trapped in Russia. We’re getting him and his family out—before they disappear for good.”

Troy shook his head. “That’s insane. And you think Beatrice is reckless?”

He turned to leave. “Maybe you’re not the one to talk sense into her. She’ll just throw your job back in your face. I’ll try talking to her later.”

As he walked off, Oliver glanced at me. “So… you and your pretty neighbor, huh?”

“I’m not talking about Beatrice. Not with Gage standing there—he’ll run off and tell Lori everything.”

“I will not,” Gage said indignantly.

I looked at him.

“Why do you think I tell Lori everything?” he asked.

“Do you keep things from Lori?”

“…No.”

“Exactly.” I turned to Oliver. “Anyway, I’m serious. You need to keep an eye on Beatrice while I’m gone.”

“Me? I don’t even live down here. I’m up on the mountain, remember? I can’t watch her from there.”

“Stay at my place. Olly loves playing in the ocean.” I insisted. “She’s involved in something dangerous and won’t back down. I need to know someone’s nearby.”

Oliver raised a brow. “You really want everyone asking why I’m crashing at your house? Don’t worry about Gage telling Lori—word’s going to get around anyway. Should I follow her to work too?”

“If it comes to that—yes. Someone’s out there trying to blow up firefighters.”

Oliver studied me. “Are you in love with her? Because you’ve only known her for two months. That’s not like you.”

“I didn’t say I was in love,” I muttered. “You know me—I don’t fall in love.”

He didn’t reply, and I let the silence stretch. My stomach growled. “I’m starving. Can we just eat?”

Damn it. I needed to shut up. Maybe I should leave today. But I couldn’t—I was having dinner with Beatrice tonight.

I ran a hand through my hair. “I’m being ridiculous. You don’t have to watch her. I just hope she stays safe at work. It’s her job. I don’t even know what I’m thinking.”

“I’ll tell you what—if another bomb shows up, I’ll stick close to Beatrice and keep her out of trouble,” Oliver said. “Do I have your permission to ask her to back off the investigation?”

“Yes.” I hesitated. “Do you think I’m being overprotective of someone I’ve only been with a few times?”

Oliver gave me a look. “It’s not like you to fall this fast. Perhaps once you’re overseas, you’ll realize you’re being foolish. He grinned at the expression on my face and burst out laughing.

I couldn’t help but chuckle. He wasn’t wrong. I needed to stop obsessing over Beatrice Jones and focus on the mission ahead.

“Who’s going with you?” Oliver asked as we sat down for breakfast.

“Tag and Cyclone. We’re leaving at three in the morning. Hopefully, we’ll be in and out within a few days. Any longer than a week, and it’ll get too dangerous.”

We’d just started eating when Oliver stiffened, glancing over my shoulder. I turned to see Dana sitting at a nearby table. She looked pale and frail, like she might cry at any second.

“You want to leave?” I asked him quietly.

“No.” He shook his head. “I’m not letting Dana run my life anymore. Everyone thinks I’m still heartbroken because she left me. However, the truth is, I’m fortunate. I wasted two years married to a woman I didn’t love. Sure, I missed her at first—but that faded fast.”

He paused, watching her. “Guess it was a blessing in disguise when she ran off with the neighbor. Is that who she’s with now?” I asked.

“No, the guy with her now is her cousin.”

Oliver nodded and picked up his fork. “This food’s great,” he said, clearly ready to change the subject.

We were laughing at something River had said when a shadow appeared beside our table. I looked up to see Dana.

“Hello, Oliver.” Her voice was quiet. Then she turned to me. “Raven. Found any more long-lost family lately?”

“Yes,” I said. “A sister and a niece. How’ve you been, Dana?” I took in her gaunt frame and sickly complexion. She looked worn out—like life had been draining her.

“Not so good,” she said, then turned back to Oliver. “That’s why I’m here. I need to talk to you.”

“Have a seat. Let’s talk.”

“I’d rather speak in private.”

“You can say whatever you need to in front of Raven,” Oliver said flatly.

She hesitated but finally lowered herself into the chair.

“I have cancer, and my health’s been getting worse by the day,” she said, her voice weak. “I came to Carlsbad because I don’t have much time left. I’m sorry I left you, Oliver. It was the biggest mistake I ever made. But that’s not why I’m here.”

Her eyes filled with tears. “I came to tell you... you have a son. His name is Oliver, but I call him Olly. I’m sorry I kept him from you.”

Oliver blinked. “Wait—what? Are you saying I have a son?”

“Yes. I should’ve told you sooner. But I knew I didn’t have many years left, and I wanted time with him. I was afraid you’d take him away from me. I brought him here. I don’t want him to see me die. He knows all about you. I’ve told him stories, showed him pictures…”

I glanced at Oliver. His expression was unreadable, but I could see the wheels turning. His parents had died a few years ago. His brother, Robby, was gone too. Oliver had already lost so much.

And Dana… she’d always complained about him being sent overseas, as if he had a choice. Watching him now, I could see him shutting down.

“Where is he?” he asked finally.

“At the hotel, with my cousin.”

“We’ll follow you there.”

She tried to stand but trembled, and Oliver moved instinctively, steadying her with gentle hands. No matter how hurt or angry he was, he was still the kindest man I knew.

“My cousin went ahead to get Olly ready,” Dana said. “Can I ride with you?”

“Yeah. You can ride with us,” Oliver said softly. “Dana… I’m sorry you’re going through this.”

We walked to the truck. Oliver lifted Dana into the backseat as if she weighed nothing. She gave me the hotel name, and I knew which one she meant.

“Oliver, I’m so sorry about your parents and Robby,” she said quietly.

“Thank you,” he replied, eyes forward.

When we pulled into the parking lot, I spotted a little boy playing in the pool. Oliver saw him at the same moment.

We both smiled. He looked like a miniature version of Oliver—same jawline, same hair, same spark in his eyes. Then the kid dove into the water like a pro.

“How old is he?” Oliver asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“He’ll be four tomorrow,” Dana said softly. “He’s smart—just like you. I put together a folder with everything you’ll need to know about Olly. As you can see, he’s full of energy. The moment I found out I was pregnant, I knew I’d made a mistake by leaving you. I’m sorry for everything. I always felt like I was last on your list of people you loved. That was childish of me, and I’m sorry.

Oliver didn’t respond. He stepped out, walked around the truck, and gently lifted Dana from the seat. I noticed his hands trembling. He was trying to hold it together for her, but I could tell it was hitting him hard.

As soon as Olly spotted us, he jumped out of the pool and ran over. He stopped short, wide-eyed, and stared at Oliver. Neither of them said a word at first.

Then Oliver crouched down to meet him at eye level.

“I’m glad my dad is here,” Olly said quietly. “I missed you, Dad.”

Oliver pulled him into his arms, holding him close. “I will never leave you, Olly. If I ever have to go away, it’s only because of my job—but I’ll always return. I love you, son. I’ll always love you.”

“I love you, too, Dad. I will miss Mom when she goes to live with Jesus.”

Oliver glanced at Dana. “Your mom will stay with us until that time,” he said gently.

Dana shook her head faintly, but Olly turned to her, hopeful. “Yeah, Mom, you can live with us until you go to heaven, okay?”

Dana managed a soft smile. “Sweetie, we’ll talk about it later. I need to stay at the hospital so the nurses can help take care of me.”

Then Olly looked up at me. “Hi, are you Raven?”

I smiled. “Yes, I am. How did you know that?”

“I have a picture with you in it. Mom told me stories. I know all of the Golden Team.”

“I’m happy to meet you, Olly.”

“I’m glad to meet you, too. I’ve been waiting a long time for Mom to bring me here.”

Oliver looked toward Dana’s cousin. “Let’s get your mom somewhere cooler to sit. I’m taking both of them home with me. I’ll take care of Olly and Dana. Can you bring her things to my place?”

Dana’s voice cracked. “Oliver, I don’t want Olly with me when the time comes. It’ll be too hard on him.”

Oliver shook his head. “He’s going to hurt either way. But at least this way, you get more time together.”

“I only brought a small bag,” she said. “I sold or gave away everything else. That’s all in the folder. But… who’s going to take care of me?”

“I will,” Oliver said simply. “At least until I can find the right help for you. Do you want your mom to stay with you, too?”

Dana lowered her gaze. “She passed away last year. And… why would you even want to help me?”

“I’m so sorry about your mom. I know how close you were. And I want to help because you’re the mother of my son. You’ve done a good job with him, and you shouldn’t have to go through this alone.”

Tears welled in Dana’s eyes, and she reached up to wipe them away.

“Mommy, I’m glad you can live with Dad and me,” Olly said, wrapping his arms around Oliver’s neck.

Oliver kissed him on the cheek and smiled. “How about you both stay with us for a few days?” he asked, glancing at the cousins.

“I wish I could,” the woman said. “But I need to get back to my kids. I’ve already been gone a week.”

They said their goodbyes, and I drove the three of them to my place, where Oliver had left his vehicle. The rest of the team was outside, and the moment Olly saw them, he lit up and ran over like he’d just discovered his best friends.

He knew all their names. One by one, they bent down to shake his hand, still stunned, jaws practically on the ground.

I slipped inside and called Beatrice. My mind was spinning. I was worried about her helping the Fire Marshal track down the bomber. Her phone rang and rang, but there was no answer.

I’ll talk to her tonight.