Page 75 of Secrets We Fight

I stared at the floor for a few moments before meeting Tanner’s scrutinizing gaze. “Fallon and I are together ...”

“Together?” His forehead creased in confusion. “Do you mean romantically?”

I nodded.

“How long?”

“Since December.” I swallowed.

“December?” he shouted.

Before he could question me further, a transmission came through our earpieces. “Windstorm is out of surgery and is being moved to a room on the VIP floor.”

My entire body sagged in relief, and I had to brace myself against the wall to remain standing.

Fallon was alive.

Tears of joy pricked at my eyes, while the need to see that he was okay for myself had me turning to leave, but Tanner stopped me as I reached for the door handle.

“I need your gun and badge.”

My brow furrowed. “What?”

“You heard me.” He reached his hand out.

I grabbed both items and reluctantly handed them over.

“I’m relieving you of duty until further notice.”

“Sir, you can’t do that,” I pleaded. “I need to be here. With Fallon.”

“You’ve left me no choice. Your actions with Finnegan show you’re not able to perform your job duties in a professional manner. Monroe will decide what disciplinary action to take, but I can’t have you causing more problems.”

Steeling my spine, I looked Tanner in the eye and announced, “I’m not leaving this hospital.”

He sighed. “Whatever you decide to do as a private citizen is your choice. But you’ll be doing it in the waiting room away from his family and the Secret Service.”

With that, Tanner walked out of the room.

As I watched him leave, a wave of emotions washed over me. I was filled with relief that Fallon had made it through surgery, but I was upset Tanner felt it necessary to take my gun and badge.

Still, if I had to choose between my job and Fallon, it would always be him.

25

FALLON

I could seeRhett standing in the distance. He was bathed in a warm, soft light, and I ran toward him. His smile, brighter than the sun, melted my heart. He reached out his hand, and I took it without hesitation. Our fingers interlaced, a perfect fit, as if we were made for each other.

“I missed you,” he whispered.

“I missed you too.”

We began walking. The grass beneath my feet was soft and cool. The sky above us was painted in hues of pink and orange and cast everything in a gentle glow.

“Where are we?” I asked.

“Here,” he answered.