Chapter 21
Lacey
Cameron loves me. The words flow into me, fill the crevices in every corner of my soul. I hold them in my heart, clinging to the promise of our future while I fight the pain lancing through my body.
I’m weak, dizzy and the metallic odor of blood threatens to overwhelm me, but I’m happier than I ever thought possible.
“How… how did you find me?” I whisper.
“I’ve got a good team.” He indicates two men, tall and muscular, guarding four captured henchmen. “Plus, Vale’s ex-fiancée helped us narrow down the possible locations.”
The wailing sirens grow louder as two police cars with flashing lights round the corner and into the parking lot. They’re followed by an ambulance and an unmarked black SUV. They stop just shy of the warehouse’s back entrance, and four cops exit their vehicles.
Detective Reynolds levers out of the black SUV along with her partner. She makes her way over to us while the other detective joins the police who are transferring their prisoners to their squad cars.
“Got your call just after we cleared the Gwinnett County corridor,” she says when she reaches us. “Contacted the feds. They’ll come in to interrogate these jerks after we process them at the county jail.”
“Good. Any sign of Vale?”
“He’s gone underground. My guess is he’s running back to his dad for top cover until he can find a way to start his racket again.
” She focuses her brown gaze onto me. “You did a great job identifying the guy who murdered Adrian Hyde. He’s got a rap sheet longer than the Chattahoochee River.
Wanted in four more states for other hits. ”
More relief washes through me. Dimple Dude made no effort to hide his face from me and I was as good as dead if Cameron didn’t arrive in time. “He’s inside,” I say through cold lips. “With a couple of his men.”
Shivers begin to travel through me, making my mouth tremble. Cameron holds me closer, heating me with his body. “I need to get Lacey to a hospital for observation,” he says to Detective Reynolds. “You have any more questions for her?”
“No. Go. We’ll follow up next week.”
The rest of Cameron’s team exits the warehouse with their prisoners, then turn them over to the cops.
Beckett stops next to us. “Riley knows you’re finally free. She’s coming down to see you tomorrow,” he says. “Cameron, take the rest of the weekend to be with your woman. We’ll touch base about your next assignment on Monday.”
“Rodger that,” Cameron says. “Outta here. I’ll text you the hospital info after we get there.”
A band wraps around my lungs, squeezing tight. The thought of Cameron leaving me again so soon hurts like hell, but I meant what I said. I will not stand in the way of his future. I only want to be a part of it.
Cameron brushes his lips against my forehead as Beckett leaves us. “Don’t worry, honey. I’m not going anywhere,” he promises.
Medics arrive moments later, and he settles me onto the emergency gurney. They take my vitals, and I barely feel the sting of the needle in my arm when they hook me to an IV bag.
“I’m riding with her,” Camerons says. The firm tone in his voice brooks no argument from the pair of medics.
They rush me to the ambulance through the pouring rain, shielding me with their bodies. Exhaustion weaves through me despite the IV pumping into my veins. Cameron takes my hand, whispering, “Don’t fight the sleep. Rest.”
His brown eyes latch onto mine and they’re filled with hope, love. As long as I am with him, I know I’m safe. I finally succumb to the weariness, closing my eyes.
I wake to the rhythmic beep of a monitor and the low hum of voices just outside my hospital room. My body is stiff, aching in places I didn’t even know could hurt, but none of it matters, because the first thing I see is Cameron.
He’s slouched in a chair beside my hospital bed, muscular arms crossed over his broad chest, head tilted back against the wall. A dim light casts shadows over the sharp planes of his face, but weariness lines his features, as if he hasn’t moved from this spot since we arrived.
The sight fills me with warmth, and the lingering pain evaporates. He’s still here. He’s still with me. He stayed with me.
I lift my hand to rub the sleep from my eyes, not wanting to wake him. But it’s enough of a movement to make his eyes snap open instantly, locking onto mine.
“Lacey.” My name is a whisper, reverent, as he leans forward, his rough hand closing around mine. “You’re awake.”
I try to smile, but even that feels like too much effort. “How long…” My voice is raw, barely a breath of sound.
“Two days.” His thumb brushes over my knuckles, soothing. “You scared the hell out of me.”
I swallow hard. “Two days. No wonder I feel like I’ve been hit by a truck.”
His jaw tightens, and something flashes in his whiskey-brown eyes.
Something fierce, unshakable. “Those assholes did quite a number on you, but you’re stitched up…
don’t worry. The woman who worked on your face said there won’t be anything but a small line after you heal.
” He leans closer, his voice low, steady.
“They wanted you to rest so they gave you a strong sedative to allow you to recover fully.”
He’s still wearing the tactical gear he had on when he rescued me, minus the Kevlar vest. “You stayed the whole time?”
“You think I’d let you wake up alone after what you’ve been through?”
I inhale a slow, measured breath, ignoring the pain in my ribs. “Cameron?—”
His grip on my hand tightens. “I almost lost you, Lacey. And I don’t give a damn where I end up as long as I have you.”
Tears prick behind my eyes. “But Select Protectors… it’s your life. They’re your brothers. Your family.”
“No. You’re my life,” he says. “I didn’t know how alone I was until I met you.
Yes. I love my team. They gave me a reason for living.
A purpose. A brotherhood. But I love you, Lacey.
I think I started falling for you from the moment I started teaching you how to defend yourself.
Most especially from the moment you managed to bring me down to the mat. ”
A weak laugh bubbles past my lips. “I love you too. But I won’t ask you to give up your career for me. We can figure out the future together. Day by day.”
Relief and determination crashes through his expression, and before I can say anything else, he presses his forehead against mine. “I already figured out a way to give us both what we want and the future we deserve,” he murmurs.
“How?”
“The training center at Starlight needs me. It’s time for me to move out of the field and into the classroom where I can mold future Select Protectors into elite warriors and bodyguards,” he says, then brushes my lips with his. “You’re stuck with me now.”
I close my eyes, breathing him in. “I believe I can live with that,” I say softly. “As long as you can live with me still chasing my dreams too.”
“Always. We’ll find a way to make it happen because we have each other’s backs.” His lips brush mine again, gentle, reverent. A promise. And for the first time since this ordeal started, I know without a doubt that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
With Cameron.