Page 322 of Rangers Last Promise

I knew that.

But seeing her standing in front of me after taking down the Colonel makes the truth impossible to ignore.

She isn’t Grant’s little sister anymore.

Not to me.

She’s Mara.

A deputy.

A fighter.

The woman I love.

The paramedic clears his throat.

“This is touching, but I need to take him to the hospital.”

Mara looks at me.

“I’ll ride with you.”

“I don’t need⁠—”

She points at me.

“Finish that sentence and I’ll ask him to sedate you.”

The paramedic smiles.

“I like her.”

“So do I.”

Mara climbs into the ambulance beside me.

The doors close.

For the first time since I arrived in Eagle River, there is nothing left to chase.

No ambush.

No shadow moving outside the window.

No unknown voice on the phone.

Vance is dead.

Harlan is in custody.

Grant’s truth is finally coming home.

Mara takes my hand.

I hold on.

The hospital releases me the next morning with twelve stitches, antibiotics, pain medication, and strict instructions not to do anything strenuous.