Rescued Page 17

  The sound of sirens in the distance wailed as they came closer. Rose removed her foot and watched Vinny cough and gasp for breath, rolling from side to side in agony.

  She turned to the street and stood in silence as the patrol cars screeched to a stop. The uniforms collected their prize and stuffed him in the back of the car for his trip downtown.

  “Are you two sure you’re okay? Your adrenaline is pumping from the excitement. You could be wounded and not even realize.” Kelli took Rose by the arm and stepped out of the way while the officers completed their job.

  “I’m fine Kel. Just make damned sure y’all hang onto him.”

  Kelli nodded and hugged her friend as she headed back to her patrol car to take Vinny to be booked.

  “I guess I’ll go, too. If you’re sure you’re okay? Sorry about that twig. I thought I was being more careful.”

  “I’m fine.” Her voice was weak and strained.

  He opened his mouth but closed it again without another word and started toward the truck.

  “It’s not your fault. Things happen,” she said barely above a whisper. She had come close to taking a bullet and this time Marty made an error and put her in danger. She didn’t blame him. Things happen.

  “Things happen. It’s no one’s fault, things happen.” She shook her head. His words. The very words he said to her to ease her guilt when she thought she had caused him to take a knife to the back and come so close to death. Reality hit like a ton of brick. She sucked in a breath. “Marty, wait.”

  He stopped in his tracks and turned on a dime.

  Their eyes met as she spoke. “Everybody makes mistakes. I don’t want to make the biggest mistake of my life and not give us a chance.” She held out a hand and hoped she wasn’t too late.

  He grinned, rushed to her side, and took her in his arms.

  “Marty, I was wrong. I do need you. We need each other. Can we just go home?”

  She watched the corners of his mouth curled upward and the stress and fatigue drain from his face.

  He swung her petite body around in circles. “We do, Rose. We do need each other.” He scooped her up and covered the distance to the house.

  Safely inside, he leaned against the door, still cradling her to his chest. His heart pounded in her ears, beating in rhythm with her own.

  Rose snuggled closer and let out the breath she held. “Run with me,” she said. She slid to the floor and tugged him by the hand toward the kitchen. They left their clothes scattered on the floor and stepped out the backdoor into the warm evening to shift and run.

  Mates.

  Bonded for life.