Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Love.
It all seemed so simple now. How he’d been fighting it all these months. Shoving it down because he’d been scared. How he’d gotten buried beneath the guilt. The pain. But now that he’d given in…
He couldn’t go back. Couldn’t lock it away. Not after she’d trusted him to bring her back from the edge. To be her lifeline. He hadn’t been lying. She’d saved him, first. Given him a reason to regroup — step up. He wouldn’t fail her.
Chase pulled Greer a bit closer, breathing her in as he stared into the darkness.
Rain pattered against the roof, the faintest suggestion of gray light brightening the room.
She’d fallen asleep a heartbeat after curling into him, the easy weight of her head on his chest, her arm looped over his waist, settling something deep inside.
And he knew this was what forever felt like.
She whimpered, twitching against him until he rubbed her arm — eased the furrow on her brow — then drifted off. She’d been dreaming most of the night, none of them seemingly good. Likely reliving the past week. All the pain, the loss.
Finding Eli like that…
Chase would be lying if he’d said he hadn’t been worried she’d spiral. And not just a little. The kind of backward slide that fed on darkness — preyed on guilt — until only a shell remained.
That would have been him if she hadn’t stuck by him.
Refused to let him drown. And that simple truth had changed everything.
Brought it all into sharp focus. He’d meant what he’d said.
He couldn’t see a future without her in it.
He’d already wasted months treading water — looking for forgiveness only he could give.
Now that he’d stopped sabotaging their relationship, he knew exactly how he wanted it to play out.
And failure wasn’t an option.
He closed his eyes, content to lie there, holding her, watching the shadows dance across the room when his cell buzzed, the vibration shaking the nightstand. Greer startled, jumping awake before groaning — snuggling back against his chest.
He chuckled. “Easy, sweetheart. It’s probably just Foster.”
She sighed, drawing her thumb across his chest. “What time is it?”
“Not quite seven.”
Another groan. “You should’ve woken me hours ago.”
“Why? So you could fall on your face from sheer exhaustion? It’s only been five hours. Barely enough to qualify as rest.”
“Everyone’s tired.”
“But not everyone’s had to face what you have.”
Greer pushed onto her elbow. “Other than you.”
Chase reached up — brushed back some of her wild hair. “And you made sure I didn’t fall through the cracks. I’m simply trying to return the favor.”
Greer smiled down at him, and his damn heart stopped. Just froze in his chest for a moment before kicking back up. Leaving him breathless as he tugged her close — slanted his mouth over hers.
Definitely forever.
Greer smoothed her hand across his chest, tracing each band, looking as if she had something wicked in mind, when his damn phone buzzed, again. She laughed, snagged it off the nightstand, then handed it to him. “Looks like Foster’s pissed you didn’t answer his first one.”
“Foster’s gonna get my boot up his ass.” Chase read the texts, all that heat cooling.
“Judging by the slight frown, I’d say it’s not just a proof of life request.”
“Bodie needs to talk to us. He’s up at the main house.”
Her smiled dropped, all the light in her eyes dimming. As if hinting at last night’s events had flipped a switch. Taken her to the edge of the abyss, again.
Chase typed a quick reply, stopping her from rolling off the bed with an arm around her waist. He pushed up, holding her captive as he leaned in. “We’ll figure this out.”
“Before or after I have more blood on my hands?”
“Greer…”
He let the rest of the words fade. She didn’t need a pep talk. Or reassurances. She needed action. Results. Something tangible to put her faith in, and token promises weren’t going to cut it.
Instead, he drew her in, dropped a soft kiss on her lips. “No more playing by the rules. We’ve got more… questionable contacts. It’s time we went off-script.”
“Whoa, easy there, slugger. Before you go all John Wick, maybe we should hear what Bodie has to say.”
“Fine. But I mean it. I’m not letting this fucker hurt you.”
That earned him a small smile. “I know.” Another kiss, then she scooted off the side. “I don’t suppose you’ve got some sweats I can borrow? I really don’t want to put those scrubs back on.”
“They’ll be big, but…” He rummaged through his closet and tossed her some clothes, pausing to watch her slip into them. “You really are stunning.”
She glanced over her shoulder at him, giving him a long slow sweep. “Says the man who looks like he just walked off a movie set. Not that I’m complaining.”
Chase tugged on some clothes, met her at the door. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Not even close.” She tiptoed up. “But I’ve got you, so I will be.”
“Hell, yeah, because I’ll be watching. No more skating by on half a bagel and a gallon of shitty coffee.” He pulled her close. “I’ve got your back.”
He ushered her out, darting up the path to Foster’s place — avoiding the worst of the puddles lining the trail.
Fog wove through the trees, the warm lighting from the main house casting long shadows across the ground.
Greer stopped beneath the overhang outside the kitchen door, biting at her bottom lip, looking more than a bit apprehensive.
Chase turned to face her, shaking off some of the rain. “If you’re not ready…”
She shook her head. A bit too fast to be convincing, but he got the message. “I just need a minute.”
“Whatever it takes, sweetheart.”
Her mouth quirked as she drew in a few deep breaths, rubbing her free hand on her thigh before nodding — following him into the house.
Foster looked up from his coffee. “Sorry to get you both up so early.”
Chase waved it off. “We were already awake.”
Kash met them at the counter, handing them both a cup. “Figured you could use the hit.”
Greer clasped the mug in her hands. “I always need the hit.”
Chase thanked Kash and took a sip, damn near groaned. “Any issues?”
“Nothing since…” Kash trailed off, coughing as if something was stuck in his throat. “State’s securing the scene until it’s been cleared. They’re fast-tracking forensics, but they already sent Bodie copies of their photos. He’s just in the other room. He’ll be in shortly.”
Greer nodded, leaning against Chase when he shouldered up beside her — pressed his chest into her back. He dropped one hand to her hip. A small show of support. She wasn’t alone.
Kash grinned, the bastard, turning when Bodie strode into the kitchen, hair slightly messy. Mud and grass staining his uniform. Fatigue lining his brow.
Bodie spotted Greer and slowed, looking as if he wanted to drag out whatever he had to say. “You look like shit.”
Greer snorted. “You look worse. What couldn’t wait?”
Bodie sighed, glancing at Chase, and Chase knew the situation had only gotten worse. “I’ve got preliminary forensics from the cruiser. Our perp’s not leaving much up to deliberation, anymore. But first…”
Bodie glanced at Zain as the man walked in, tablet in hand. “Someone’s been a royal pain in my ass since he heard about the incident. Said you weren’t answering your cell.”
Greer frowned. “Everything got soaked in the river. I was letting it all dry out before charging it. And honestly, I wasn’t in the headspace last night to really care.”
“Which is why he’s been ringing me since four.”
Zain stopped at the counter, leaning the tablet against a couple mugs before turning it.
Greer groaned, looking at Chase before shaking her head at the man glaring at them from the screen, arms crossed, a scowl curving his mouth. “Nick? What the hell?”
Nick Colter merely stared at her, eyes darting to the side when someone yelled in the background. “Why the fuck didn’t you call me last night?”
Greer braced more of her weight against Chase, as if needing the strength. “You know why.”
“I thought it was you.” Nick scrubbed a hand down his face.
“I got a call from a buddy in Portland PD saying there’d been a fatality in the Raven’s Cliff sheriff’s department.
That local SAR had rushed the officer to Providence, then you don’t pick up my calls!
” He swallowed, looked as if he wanted to punch his fist through the screen.
“I thought you were dead. That I’d missed something or just all ‘round screwed up and you’d… ”
Greer bowed her head. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I’d be livid if you’d done the same. I just… I couldn’t…”
Nick grunted, shifting his gaze to Chase. “I assume you’re Remington.”
Chase squared his shoulders. “It’s Chase.”
“I know. How is she? Really?”
Greer coughed. “I’m standing right here, jackass.”
Nick barely spared her a quick side-eye.
“I know. I can see you, but we both know you’ll give me some bullshit answer about soldiering on.
Pulling yourself up by your damn bootstraps.
Everything but how you’re really doing, so I’m asking the damn medic because he knows that after spending seven years with Delta Force and another ten with the NCS, I’ll know if he’s lying. ”
Chase held her close. “She’s riding that razor’s edge between wanting justice and going full-metal jacket. But she’s functioning, which honestly, is about all anyone can ask after everything that’s gone down.”
“And you’ve got her back?”
“The only way this asshole’s getting to her is if I’m dead. My team, too.”
Nick narrowed his eyes, staring at Chase for a good thirty seconds before nodding. “I’m holding you to that, PJ. At least until I can get there.”
Greer inhaled. “You finished your op?”
“No, I’m going rogue.”