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His grip loosened. Devon ducked and threw herself sideways, out of the line of fire. The gun exploded, and a sharp crack split the air. The bullet went wild, piercing the back windshield of an unoccupied car parked behind Blake.

Blake fired his weapon. Thanks to his training and skillset, one shot was all it took.

The man behind her staggered and then collapsed onto the pavement. For a long, shock-filled moment, Devon couldn’t move.

She was down on all fours, staring at the fallen man. Her ears were ringing, her gaze locking on the pool of blood growing beneath the man’s body.

More people screamed, and then, once he’d confirmed the threat had been neutralized, Blake was there.

“Devon!”

He dropped down beside her and pulled her into his arms. “Are you hurt?”

She shook her head, looking back to where she’d been standing.

“Willow.”

“Stay here.”

Blake retrieved the carrier from beside the curb. The cat was frightened but unharmed. He set the carrier beside Devon and pulled her into his arms again.

This time, she clung to him. Her entire body shook.

“It’s okay,” he murmured against her hair. “I’ve got you.”

She buried her face against his chest.

The sound of the gunshot still rang clearly through her mind. She could still feel the man’s arm crushing her against him.

But it was the moment he’d pointed his weapon at Blake that was seared into her brain. It was a memory Devon feared would never fade.

“He was going to shoot you,” she whispered.

“I know.”

“I couldn’t let him.”

Blake’s arms tightened carefully around her.

“You did exactly what Gwen taught you.” He kissed the side of her head. “You scared the ever-loving hell out of me, but you did good.”

“Make you proud of me good?”

“So damn proud.” His lips pressed against her temple again. “You saved my life, sweetheart.”

“I couldn’t lose you.” Devon pulled back enough to see his face.

His expression was grim, his gaze repeatedly driving toward the man’s body.

“I think I know him.” Blake looked down at her. “I’d bet my next paycheck he’s the man who broke into your apartment. I never got a good look at his face, but I remember his eyes and his build.”

She glanced toward the motionless form. “Are you sure?”

“As sure as I can be. And I’m also willing to bet Claire will ID him as the man who came to the office asking all those questions.”

Sirens wailed in the distance. Blake drew her close, shielding her from the growing crowd. Devon pressed her face against his chest and closed her eyes.

Her apartment. Echo Team’s headquarters. The restaurant, and now Blake’s building?