Chapter 15 #2
“Was fake. You’re safe. I promise, you’re safe.”
Nora launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and holding on like he was the only solid thing in the world. Carson caught her, lifting her out of the truck and holding her tight.
“I thought you were going to die,” she sobbed against his neck. “I thought he was going to blow himself up and take you with him and I’d lose you—”
“But you didn’t. I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere.”
She pulled back enough to look at him, her face blotchy with tears. “You offered to trade yourself for me. You were going to let him take you.”
“Of course I was. Your life is worth more than mine.”
“No, it’s not. Don’t you ever—” She broke off, pressing her face into his shoulder again. “Don’t you ever do that again.”
“Can’t promise that.” He held her closer. “If it means keeping you safe, I’d do it a thousand times.”
“Carson Black, you’re an idiot.”
“Yeah.” He pressed a kiss to her hair. “But I’m your idiot.”
***
They spent the next two hours at the station, giving statements, answering questions, going through the process.
Eugene was officially booked—escape, assault with a deadly weapon, making terroristic threats, stalking, attempted murder. The charges would keep him locked up for the rest of his life with no possibility of parole.
“It’s really over this time,” Finn said, appearing with coffee for both of them. “Eugene’s going to maximum security. Twenty-four-hour surveillance. No transport without a full tactical team. He’s not getting out again.”
“Good,” Carson said. He sat next to Nora in the waiting area, his arm around her shoulders. She hadn’t let go of him since the parking lot.
“And the tracker in her phone?” Finn continued.
“We traced it back to a device Eugene planted in her apartment six months ago. He’s been watching her movements, her communications, everything.
We’ll need her phone as evidence, but I’ve already contacted her carrier about getting her a new one with a new number. ”
“Thank you,” Nora said quietly.
Finn nodded and walked away.
Captain Holloway approached, his expression a mix of relief and concern. “You two okay?”
“We will be,” Carson said.
“Good. Because I’m putting both of you on mandatory leave. Two weeks minimum. Get out of town. Rest. Recover.” He looked at Carson specifically. “And that’s an order, not a suggestion. You’ve been through enough.”
“Yes, sir.”
After Holloway left, Nora turned to Carson. “Two weeks. What do we do with two weeks?”
“First?” Carson stood and pulled her up with him. “We get you a new phone. Then we get your things from your apartment. It’s been cleared as a crime scene. Then we go back to that cabin and we finish what we started.”
“What we started?”
“Being normal. Being together without danger and fear hanging over us.” He cupped her face. “Being in love without the world trying to end.”
Tears welled in her eyes again, but this time they looked like happy tears. “That sounds perfect.”
“Yeah.” He kissed her softly. “It does.”
***
They drove to Nora’s apartment to collect her belongings. Crime scene tape still marked the door, but the unit had been released back to her.
Inside, everything was exactly as she’d left it weeks ago. Except for the bedroom.
The spray paint had been scrubbed off, but a faint shadow remained: FOUND YOU.
Nora stood in the doorway, staring at the wall. “I don’t think I can live here anymore. Every time I walk in, I’ll remember.”
“Then don’t.” Carson wrapped his arms around her from behind. “Move in with me. For real this time. Not protective custody. Not temporary. Just...us.”
“You really want that?”
“I’ve wanted it since the first night you stayed at my place.” He turned her to face him. “I know it’s fast. I know we’re supposed to take things slow. But I love you, Nora. And I want to come home to you every day. Want to build a life with you. If you’ll have me.”
“Yes.” She didn’t hesitate. “Yes, I’ll move in with you. I’ll build a life with you. I’ll do all of it.”
He kissed her—deep and claiming and full of promise.
When they broke apart, Nora looked around the apartment one last time. “Help me pack?”
“Always.”
They spent the next hour boxing up her belongings, loading them into Carson’s truck. With each box, Nora felt lighter. Like she was leaving behind more than just an apartment.
She was leaving behind fear. Isolation. The constant feeling of being watched.
She was moving toward something new. Something bright.
Something with Carson.
As they loaded the last box, Nora’s phone rang—the new one Finn had set up for her. Lila’s name on the screen.
“Hey,” Nora answered.
“Oh my God, I just heard about what happened! Are you okay? Do you need anything? I’m coming over right now—”
“I’m fine, Lila. Really. It’s over. Eugene’s in custody. I’m safe.”
“Thank God.” Lila’s voice cracked with relief. “I was so worried. When I heard about the standoff at the police station, I thought—”
“I know. But I’m okay. Carson kept me safe.”
“The detective?”
“Yeah.” Nora glanced at Carson, who was securing the last box in the truck bed. “We’re actually together now. Like, really together.”
“Nora Bell, are you dating the hot cop who saved your life?”
“I am.”
“That’s so romantic I might cry. Also, I need details. All the details. Lunch tomorrow?”
“Can’t. We’re leaving town for two weeks. But when I get back, we’ll have lunch and I’ll tell you everything.”
They talked for a few more minutes before Nora ended the call.
Carson appeared at her side. “Ready to go?”
She looked back at the apartment one last time. At the place that had been both her home and her prison. At the life she was leaving behind.
“Yeah,” she said. “I’m ready.”
They drove away as the sun set, heading toward the cabin. Toward two weeks of peace and healing and building something real.
“Thank you,” Nora said as they left the city behind.
“For what?”
“For believing me when no one else would. For protecting me. For loving me.”
Carson reached over and took her hand. “Thank you for trusting me. For letting me in. For giving me a reason to believe in happy endings again.”
“Do you? Believe in happy endings?”
He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “With you? Yeah. I do.”
They drove into the sunset, leaving behind the darkness and fear, moving toward something bright and new and full of possibility.
Together.
The way it was always meant to be.