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T hat night swam in Odessa’s brain like a drowning rat. It played over and over again. Each time, the images became sharper. More defined. Even the drug-induced haze when she’d woken up after racing off in the darkness was a memory she’d never forget again.

“I remember everything,” Odessa said with more strength in her voice than she thought she’d ever have again when facing down Grant. “I watched that man stab my friends. I came back from the bathroom and saw him with the knife and blood on his hands.”

“Now you’re talking crazy shit,” Heath said.

“You think I can’t remember because I was drunk and drugged? But I do,” Odessa said. “I felt you stick me with that needle. I remember kicking you. Fighting you. I ran off, and I hid in the woods, where I watched you toss my friends over the cliff.” Odessa eased out from behind Thane’s body. She held Grant’s steely-eyed glare. She’d never seen his eyes so wild and out of control before. She inched back behind Thane.

What kind of coward was she?

She swallowed.

“But it was you, Grant, who called my name in the darkness. It was you who came back for me. You were going to finish the job, weren’t you.”

Grant shrugged. “I’m here, aren’t I?”

“You won’t get away with it,” Thane said. “You can’t kill us. People will ask questions. It will be too convoluted.”

“Is this where you think I will tell you my plan?” Grant asked.

“No,” Odessa asked. “That wouldn’t be as much fun as informing you that I already know your plan and how it won’t work.”

“You’re a stupid bitch. You don’t know shit.” Grant waved his gun. “Heath, I’m done with these two.”

“But, boss, the bugs. How do we know they didn’t set them up to?—”

“Leslie Anne would have known if they had been redirected. And she would have told me. She’s loyal to me,” Grant said.

Odessa knew very little about technology. However, she did trust Lincoln and his wife. If there was any chance Leslie Anne could have figured out someone else was using their device to listen, they wouldn’t have done it.

“I’m not worried,” Grant said. “Get a hold of Rufus and make sure there aren’t any surprises outside. Once we know that, I’ll be out that door and you can handle these two idiots.”

Odessa’s heart pounded. Thane just stood there. He didn’t move a muscle. He didn’t turn his head. He didn’t say a word. She had no idea if that was good or bad. This whole thing felt like it went down too fast. And she wasn’t even sure if Grant had said enough. He never actually admitted to anything.

“Boss, we’ve got a problem,” Heath said.

“What’s that?” Grant asked.

“You’re not going to like it.” Heath stomped across the room. “Leslie Anne just texted. It appears Stacey Wilkerson just came on the air with breaking news regarding the murders.”

“And?” Grant held his weapon pointed right at Thane.

“The cops believe they know who killed those girls, but the people in question are holding someone hostage.” Health held his phone up.

“What the fuck have you done to me, Odessa?” Grant reached out and snagged her by the hair.

“Let her?—”

Bang!

“No!” Odessa screamed.

Thane clutched his gut. He dropped to his knees. A searing pain ripped through his body. Blood poured between his fingertips. It was hot and flowed like a raging river.

Getting shot was not part of the plan.

Stacey reporting on anything was not part of the plan.

How the fuck did she find out?

“You shot him,” Odessa whispered. “He needs an ambulance.”

“I’m getting the fuck out of here,” Heath said. “You blew it, Grant. You’re on your own now. Even I can’t help you with this one.”

“Oh, yes, you can.” Grant shifted his weapon, pointing it at Heath while he still had a death grip on Odessa.

Thane rocked back on his heels. The pain faded into the background. His body went numb. Having been shot before, he knew that wasn’t good. He also knew he didn’t have much time. He was losing too much blood.

A shadow by the corner of the kitchen caught his attention.

But he couldn’t make it out. Was it a person or a figment of his dying imagination?

God, he wanted to lie down and close his eyes.

“Do not point that thing at me.” Heath raised his weapon. “I will kill you and not think twice. I will turn on you and tell the cops whatever they need to hear to put you away and save my own ass.”

Thane believed that one. About both men.

The shadow moved and before he realized what was happening, Rufus jumped on Heath. Or maybe pushed him out of the way. Thane couldn’t be sure.

Bang!

Odessa screamed before her body covered Thane, shoving him completely to the floor.

Damn, that hurt.

The front door flew open.

“Drop your weapon, Grant,” Weston’s voice bellowed. “You’re under arrest.”

“We need an ambulance.” Odessa ripped off her shirt and pressed it over Thane’s wound.

“Please put that back on,” he managed to gurgle out. “I haven’t seen those in a while and I don’t like all my buddies?—”

“Stop talking.” Odessa covered his mouth. “You’re barely making sense anyway.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He sighed. The clambering of feet rattled the floorboards. Rufus stood over him, holding his arm as blood dripped down his biceps. “Sorry I couldn’t get inside sooner.”

“Sorry you got shot,” Thane whispered.

Rufus shrugged. “Flesh wound.” He waggled his finger. “You better not die on me. I’m going to need a friend.”

“I’ll try not to.” But Thane honestly wasn’t sure. He could feel his pulse slow.

Odessa palmed his cheek. “I’m going to have words with whoever told Stacey about our plan.”

“That would have been me, ma’am,” Heath said as Weston slapped the cuffs on his wrists. “It was the only way I could think of to get out from under that asshole.”

“You’re a fucking traitor,” Grant yelled as another police officer tugged him out the door.

Thane tried to process the words, but everything was so hazy. And he was so damn tired.

Stay awake. Don’t sleep. He knew the drill.

“What? I don’t understand,” Odessa said.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t tell the two of you.” Weston pressed his hand over hers, adding more pressure to Thane’s gut.

He groaned.

“Tell us what?” Odessa asked.

“Right before all this went down, Stormi got a cryptic message from Heath. Turns out, Grant was blackmailing him and Doctor Borden. Heath’s willing to turn on Grant,” Weston said. “Even though it might cost him his freedom.”

“I know I’m not a good guy. But that asshole is worse. I’m willing to do my time for my crimes as long as that guy goes down for all the shit he’s done and I’m willing to turn it all over,” Heath said.

“I think we all are,” Rufus added.

Thane was grateful for that. Odessa would be free to live her life. Nothing was standing in her way now. He tried to suck in a deep breath but couldn’t.

“EMTs are here,” someone said. “Let’s make room and let these guys get to work.”

That was Thane’s cue to really let go.

He found Odessa’s hand, turned his head, and smiled.

“I love you too,” she said. “Now fight like you would expect me to.”

The world went black.