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With aswift jab to the solar plexus, Jake forced the air from Bradley's lungs,causing him to double over. He followed up with a crushing right hook, sendingBradley sprawling onto the floor. Jake's heart pounded fiercely in his chest ashe stared down at their suspect, momentarily incapacitated.
"Red,"Jake called, his voice hoarse from exertion, "get the gun."
Fionagrabbed the weapon and rushed back to his side. Taking a deep breath, Jakestepped forward to pin Bradley's arms behind his back. This time, there wouldbe no mistakes. He locked the cuffs around Bradley's wrists with a satisfyingclick, securing their killer.
As Jakefinally allowed himself to relax, he looked over at Fiona, worry creasing hisbrow. "You did good, Red. Real good."
Shenodded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, but her jaw set indetermination. "We got him, Jake. We finally got him."
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
The museumlobby was a stark contrast to the chaos that had just unfolded. Golden chandeliershung from an opulent ceiling, casting warm light onto plush armchairs andpolished marble floors. Somewhere in the background, a soft melody of stringsplayed, almost as if to soothe the tremor in Fiona's hands as the remainingguests filtered out of the museum, free to leave in the aftermath of the chaos.
Fiona'seyes followed the gurney carrying the woman who Bradley nearly killed towardthe exit. The would-be victim's face was a mess of blood and bruises, butbeneath it all, Fiona could see the defiance that had saved her life.
"Excuseme," Fiona called to one of the EMTs, a man with short-cropped hair andkind, concerned eyes. "How is she?"
"Stable,"he replied, pausing before he pushed through the doors. "She'll beokay."
"Thankyou," Fiona whispered, relief flooding through her. Another life saved,another monster halted in his tracks. But there were still so many more outthere, lurking in the shadows.
"CanI check you over?" the EMT asked, turning his attention to Fiona. Shehesitated for a moment, wanting nothing more than to chase after Bradley andensure he never hurt anyone again. But he was caught now, she reminded herself,and it was time to relax.
"Alright,"she consented, nodding stiffly.
"Couldyou follow my finger with your eyes?" the EMT instructed, and Fionaobeyed, her gaze locked on the tip of his glove as it moved from side to side.Her head throbbed at the effort, a painful reminder of the blow she'd takenduring the struggle.
"Yourpupils are equal and reactive," the EMT noted, shining a small flashlightinto her eyes. It stung, but Fiona forced herself not to flinch. "Lookslike you're going to be okay. Just take it easy for a few days – head injuriescan be tricky."
"Thankyou," Fiona said again, her voice tight with gratitude and something more– something she couldn't quite name. She wanted to feel victorious, triumphantin the knowledge that they'd finally caught Bradley Caine. But there was stilla gnawing sense of unease, a lingering dread that weighed heavy on her chest.
"Isthere anything else I can help you with?" the EMT asked, his browfurrowing in concern as he studied her face.
"No,"she replied, shaking her head. "I'm just… I'm glad she's okay."
"Metoo," he said, offering her a small, sad smile before turning to rejoinhis team.
AsFiona watched the ambulance pull away from the museum, she thought about howclose they had come to losing another life tonight. And though they had savedone, there were countless others who hadn't been so lucky. It was a soberingreminder of the darkness that lurked around every corner.
But fornow, at least, one less monster walked among them. And with every breath shetook, every beat of her battered heart, Fiona vowed to keep fighting until shegot answers no what happened to Joslyn and those other girls. Damien Blackwood,or whoever he was, was going to pay for his crimes.
With asteadying breath, Fiona glanced out the museum’s tall windows. Outside, thenight air was charged with tension as officers restrained and shoved BradleyCaine into the back of a waiting police cruiser. She watched his face contortwith anger as he spat curses at the officers, and for a moment, she reveled inthe satisfaction of seeing justice served.
Jakestood nearby, overseeing the arrest with a stoic determination. As the cruiserbegan to pull away, Jake's gaze met Fiona's through the glass, and somethingunspoken passed between them. He nodded once, then turned to make his way backinside.
Fiona'sheart raced in anticipation, her chest tightening. The nearness of him, thereality of their shared experience – it all threatened to overwhelm her. Therewould be time later to process everything, to reflect on what they'd beenthrough. But for now, she needed Jake, and she knew without a doubt that heneeded her too.
"Hey,"Jake murmured when he finally reached her side. His voice was strained theweariness of the long night evident in his posture.
"Hey,"she echoed, unable to tear her eyes away from his. They stood there for amoment, silent, simply drinking each other in.
"Areyou alright?" he asked, concern etched into every line of his face.
Shehesitated, then nodded. "I am now," she whispered, the truth of thewords ringing deep within her soul.
"Good."The relief in his eyes was palpable, but even so, he couldn't quite hide theshadows that still lingered. "Fiona, I... When I saw you fighting him, Ithought-"
"Shh,"she interrupted, reaching up to brush her fingertips along his jaw, silencingthe words that threatened to spill forth. "We're both still standing,Jake. That's what matters."
