Chapter 32
Azalea
I smoothed my hands over my borrowed jeans, trying to calm my nerves as we walked into the Refuge Falls Police Station.
Damon greeted us at the door. “They’re waiting in the conference room,” he said, nodding toward a hallway.
McCrae’s hand found the small of my back, guiding me gently. That small touch sent warmth through me, giving me strength I didn’t know I needed.
The conference room door opened to reveal three people seated at a long table with folders and laptops scattered across it. Pinned to one wall was a map of Wyoming with red dots all over it.
“Azalea Ryan.” A woman with a short bob and sharp eyes stood, extending her hand. “I’m Special Agent Caroline Winters. These are my colleagues, Agents Martinez and Thompson.”
I shook her hand, noting her firm grip. “Thank you for coming.”
“Please, sit.” Winters gestured, and I sat on the cold metal chair. “We’ve been briefed on your situation,” she said, opening a folder. “First, I’d like to update you on your brother’s condition.”
My heart jumped. “Greg? Is he okay?”
“Agent Thompson was with him this morning before driving here.” She nodded to the younger agent.
“He’s doing well, Ms. Ryan,” Thompson said. His voice was surprisingly gentle for such a big guy. “The doctors are happy. He’s been moved out of intensive care, and security’s in place.”
Relief flooded through me. “Thank you.”
Agent Martinez, a man with salt-and-pepper hair and tired eyes, tapped on his tablet. “Now, regarding the operation you found. What we’re dealing with is bigger than we thought.”
He turned the tablet toward me, showing a complex chart.
My journalist brain kicked in immediately, scanning for patterns and connections.
“Magneto Paper was just one front for a trafficking network in three states,” Martinez explained.
“The people caught in Arizona have given us good information,” Winters added. “They’ve confirmed who attacked you at the hospital.”
She slid a photograph across the table.
I recognized him instantly; those cold eyes, the scar along his jaw. My hand grabbed McCrae’s under the table, squeezing tight.
“Manuel Diaz,” she said. “He’s been on our radar for years. Very dangerous, very careful.”
“And he’s still out there,” I said.
“Yes,” Winters confirmed, looking right at me. “Which brings us to your protection.”
Damon shifted in his seat. “We’ve set up patrols in town, and my brother has been assigned to protect Azalea.”
Agent Winters frowned. “With all due respect, we recommend Ms. Ryan enter witness protection. Immediately.”
The floor seemed to drop from beneath me. Witness protection. New identity. New location. Far from Refuge Falls. Far from McCrae.
“No,” I said firmly. “I’m not running.”
Martinez leaned forward. “Ms. Ryan, this isn’t about being brave. Diaz is extremely dangerous and—”
“I understand the risk,” I said, cutting him off. “But I’m a journalist. This story needs to be told. These people need to be exposed.” I glanced at McCrae, feeling stronger just looking at him. “And I have reasons to stay in Refuge Falls.”
No one responded to that. Tension settled in the room.
Then I worried, thinking about McCrae’s family. “On second thought, let’s make home base in another town.”
“No,” McCrae said immediately.
“Yes, I can’t put you and your family and this town at risk. We go somewhere else.”
Agent Winters nodded. “Then it is witness protection.”
“It’s not,” I corrected. “Just another town.”
Damon waved a hand. “No, Azalea, we aren’t going to let you be a target somewhere else.”
I blinked, hating the tears that threatened to fall. “But I won’t put your family at risk.” I silently added, Or put McCrae at risk.
McCrae cleared his throat. “What if we set up security here?” he asked Agent Winters. “With your help and local support, we could keep Azalea safe while keeping her here.”
Agent Thompson looked doubtful. “In a town this small? Everyone knows everyone’s business.”
“Exactly,” McCrae shot back. “Which means strangers stand out. We’d know right away if someone who doesn’t belong here shows up. If you want this guy, it’s better we draw him out where we have the advantage.”
I watched them carefully, my heart pounding as the agents looked at each other.
“We could make it work,” Damon added. “The Armstrong family has property all over. Multiple safe houses, if needed.”
Winters studied me. “You understand the risk?”
I hesitated and turned to McCrae. “I can’t have anyone hurt your family or you.”
McCrae took my hand. “I’m not letting you go anywhere without me. May as well stay here and fight on our turf.”
I stared at our hands, then turned back to Agent Winters. “Fine. But use me as bait, in a controlled way. End this once and for all.”
“Absolutely not,” McCrae said, his voice hard.
“It’s not the worst idea,” Thompson mused.
I put my hand on McCrae’s arm. “I’m not saying I’ll stand in the middle of town with a target on my back. But if Diaz is coming for me anyway, we might as well be ready.”
“We’ll need to discuss this more,” Winters said, closing her folder. “For now, we’re setting up communication protocols. Agent Thompson will stay in Refuge Falls as our contact.” She turned to Damon. “Chief Armstrong, we’ll need office space for him.”
“Of course,” Damon replied.
The meeting went on with technical stuff; secure phones, cameras, emergency plans.
I kept looking at McCrae’s profile, admiring the strong line of his jaw and his broad shoulders. I thought about our talk at breakfast, about moving to Refuge Falls, about the question he hadn’t quite asked.
Here in this cold room, surrounded by talk of danger, I felt surer than ever. Whatever happened, my future was here, with this man and his family.
When the meeting finally ended, the agents left to make calls and set up equipment.
McCrae and I stepped outside into the bright morning. The mountains stood solid in the distance above the small-town Main Street. A family walked by, the parents holding hands while their kids skipped ahead.
“Are you sure about this? That I should stay here?”
McCrae nodded. “I’m sure about you. And I’m sure my town will protect you.”