Chapter 11 #2
Thank You, God.
His head throbbed. Perspiration beaded on his forehead, but he refused to succumb to the darkness that the pain beckoned him toward.
He needed to help Kianna out of the car.
Another car door slammed, and a low growl followed by a bark carried across the wind.
There was no need to turn around. Cole would recognize that sound anywhere.
How had Titan gotten here?
His German shepherd barreled past him, kicking up snow with his hind legs. The spray caught Cole in the face, but he didn’t care.
A smile lifted the corners of his lips.
Cole wasn’t fighting this battle alone. That reality and knowing Titan was alive and well gave Cole the boost of energy he needed. He extended his arms to Kianna, who stood on the car seat in a hunched position. “Let me help.”
She braced her hand on his arm, then swung one leg through the window. “You’re the one who needs help.” A pained look furrowed her brow.
“As long as it’s you who’s helping.” He winked.
Shock filled her face, then she clamped her lips shut, but Cole still noticed the laugh she’d tried to suppress.
Cole grabbed under her arms and lifted her out through the window, then set her on the ground with a grunt.
He stumbled to the side, and Kianna wrapped her arm around his bicep. “You need to sit down.”
“Get away from me, you mutt,” Victoria shouted. Titan was quickly gaining ground. “Get away!” She raised her weapon.
Titan bared his teeth and pounced.
Victoria screamed and fell to the ground. The flash drive tumbled from her grasp.
The dog’s teeth sank into her arm, his feet on top of her.
Thomas raced to Titan’s side and trained his weapon on Victoria.
Mackey dove for the flash drive in a desperate attempt to regain his money.
“He’s not going to get away.” Cole broke away from Kianna’s grip.
“Cole,” she shouted, but he forged ahead.
His feet pounded against the snow, and Cole focused on taking the next step, trying to ward off the pain pulsing through his body. The cold air made his nose drip. He used his sleeve to wipe, and it came away clean. At least his nose had stopped bleeding.
Mackey turned to Cole, who was closing in. He shoved the flash drive in his pocket and scrambled to his feet.
Cole tackled Mackey to the ground and gripped the man’s arms, twisting them behind his back.
Mackey thrust his body, but Cole used his knee to pin the man, refusing to let him get away again.
“It’s over, Mack. You’re headed back to prison.”
“You little—”
“Nice save.” Thomas stepped up next to him, then bent down and clasped the handcuffs around Mackey’s wrists, ignoring the expletives the guy spewed.
Cole stood up, but the sudden change made his head spin. He blew out a breath and unzipped his jacket. Titan ran over to Cole and barked, his tail wagging.
“How did you get here, Tite? I thought Brett was still keeping his eye on you.” Cole rubbed the spot behind the dog’s ear. “Nice work out there.”
Titan snarled and bared his teeth at Mackey, who was being led away by Ramble.
“He needs to get to the hospital stat.” Kianna’s voice came from behind.
She hurried over to Cole with Nathan, who pushed the gurney. She set the medic bag on the ground and stared at Cole. Her eyes searched his, then took inventory of his whole body.
“Sit down.” She pointed to the gurney and took hold of his arm.
“K, I’m fine.” His breath came out in short pants.
“Nuh-uh. That’s the shock talking.” Her chin trembled ever so slightly. “Your nose is already black and blue. And Victoria hit you point blank.” Cole sat down on the cot while Nathan pulled a BP cuff out.
“I’m really okay.” He squeezed her hand, then guided it and placed it over his chest. “She hit my vest.”
Kianna pulled her hand away and frowned. “You’re sure?” She peered up at him. “I don’t believe it. Take off your jacket.” Creases etched into her forehead.
Cole smirked and raised his eyebrows. “That’s quite the request.”
Kianna’s cheeks turned bright red, but he liked seeing her nervous around him. Liked the idea that just maybe there was a reciprocated interest.
“That’s not funny,” she whispered.
“Hey.” Cole shrugged out of his coat and clasped Kianna’s hand in his.
“You’re really okay.” Tears pooled in Kianna’s eyes.
Cole went to brush a tear that trailed down her cheek, but before he could, she leaned up on her tiptoes and sealed her lips to his.
He stilled for a moment before returning the gesture. He’d wasted too much time afraid of what might happen. He’d almost lost Kianna. And Cole was tired of missing out on life. No, he wasn’t going to let another moment slip out of his grasp.
Kianna’s nose pressed into his face, but the tenderness of her touch overrode any pain from his injury.
For so long, everything seemed to have been lost in Cole’s life. All the moments of joy whisked away.
Until now.
Kianna reminded him why he should fight.
He wrapped his arm around her neck and wove his fingers through her hair.
They were alive—creating a new moment, one that electrified Cole with excitement and curiosity at what was to come.
Kianna eased away, her breath hot on his cheek.
“Thank God you’re okay,” she whispered close to his ear, her finger gliding across his jaw.
Kianna buried her face in the crevice of his shoulder, and Cole held her in his embrace.
Nathan had put his supplies away and grinned. He pointed behind him, then headed back toward the ambulance.
Kianna’s heart beat against Cole’s chest, and he stayed there, unmoving. This moment was a Christmas miracle.
Cole propped his chin on top of Kianna’s head and lifted his gaze to the sky. Thank You, Lord.
How many times had the Lord protected him? Come to his rescue and guarded his life. The Lord continued to watch over his coming and going.
He’d spared Cole’s life.
Again.
Who was he to sit around and waste it anymore? Not when there were people to make amends with. Not when there was an opportunity to invest in the future. Could it really be with Kianna?
He was ready to give it his all.
But first, he needed to make sure everything was wrapped up with this case.
Cole leaned back and put his hands on Kianna’s shoulders.
“Stuart.” Basuto called his name and jogged over.
Cole squeezed Kianna’s arm and smiled before pushing off the gurney and walking over to his boss.
“This was in Mackey’s possession. Cryptocurrency.” Cole pulled out the flash drive and handed it to him.
Basuto said, “I’ll get this entered into evidence.”
Before Cole could respond, Titan ran over to Cole’s side and whimpered. Then he raced to the car, still by the edge of the cliff.
“What is it, boy?”
Titan doubled back before racing off to the car again.
Cole jogged over to where the dog sat on his haunches, whining.
“What does he see?” Kianna asked.
Cole followed the dog to the car and crouched to Titan’s level.
Titan barked.
Cole scanned the trim near the front tire, and his eyes landed on a flashing red light.
Cole shot up and cupped his hands around his mouth. “There’s a bomb. Everyone away now,” he shouted.