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“So, it’s finished. I can go back to my life,” Morgan said in a small voice.
He nodded. “Except for testifying when these guys go to trial, you should be good. Maybe we’ll get lucky, and they plead out. Get some rest. Mend. Life should go back to normal.”
Her life will never go back to normal, but I’m going to do my best to give her a better one.
Agent Perez seemed to have gone through a transformation. The all-business, impersonal, and dismissive man they met that morning now seemed empathetic, haggard, and approachable.
“How is Agent Scott?” Morgan asked.
“She was airlifted to Portland. A severe concussion. Stitches in the back of her head, but she should be fine. I wouldn’t doubt if she left the bureau.”
“I’m glad she’s okay,” Morgan said. “I can’t help but feel responsible.”
“This is squarely on us, Ms. Skylar. You did everything you possibly could.”
Agent Perez stuck his hand out to Bash. He took it in a firm handshake. “Thanks, Mr. Bartoli. If you hadn’t led us to Kline, who knows how many other people would have died. You might not feel the need now, but I recommend you see a therapist. Shooting someone is mentally a big deal. Especially for someone not in law enforcement.” He turned to Morgan. “You too, Ms. Skylar. The forensic team hasn’t completed their analysis yet, but from a preliminary review, we believe Mr. Bartoli’s bullet hit Mr. Kline. Judging from the height of the impact, Kline was already falling backward from your shot that hit the tree. Don’t know if that is a relief or not, but I thought you might want to know.” He held his hand out, and Morgan took it. Then he handed her a card.
“You are a brave and honest young woman. A lot of people would have kept that ledger. Tried to use it to their benefit. It’s in the hands of the analysts now, but I got a brief glance through it. It’s a whole bag of worms. Don’t worry. None of your names will ever come up in association with the ledger. It was the property of Clark Wayne Kline, not Eli Skylar. You take care and call me if I can ever do anything for you.”
When Bash pulled Morgan into his arms, she broke down in his arms. “It’ll be okay, baby. You’re not alone.”
When she finally pulled away, her eyes were red and swollen. He gently wiped her face with a tissue and kissed her forehead.
“Have you talked to Gray?”
“I have. We’ve worked things out. He will always be my brother. I told him I’m taking a more active role in the business decisions. He’s fine with that. I’m the one who pulled away and let my team run things. I took advantage of them. They just got used to it. He’s setting up a meeting with the team when I get home. He can’t wait to meet you. You’ll love him.”
“I know I will. I’m so glad you worked things out. He’s too important to you to let things fester.”
Bash nodded.
She sighed. “I need to go home, Bash.”
“Come home with me.”
“I can’t. I’ve brought enough turmoil into your life. You need to spend time with your new family. There’s going to be an adjustment integrating them into your life. That’s what’s important. Not me and my problems.”
Bash stared at her like she had three eyes. Then he rested his hand against her uninjured cheek. “You are important to me too, Morgan. More so than any woman I’ve ever known who wasn’t related to me. We’ve been through hell and back. We’ve laughed. We’ve cried. Argued. We’ve had each other’s back every step of the way. And we’ve had fun too. You gave me a Harley.” The last part elicited an eye roll. “That’s a big step in a relationship, don’t you think?
She chuckled. “A Harley isn’t exactly a promise ring.”
He quirked a brow. “It could be. I’m not letting you go. Not without a fight.”
Her voice became small and unsure. He hated that he had somehow made her feel like that. “I’m not your type, Bash. You need classy, beautiful, sophisticated, cultured. I’m a redneck from North Georgia with tons of baggage. You’re feeling grateful. You have no obligation to me. Really. I’ll be fine.”
“So, you have no other feelings for me other than gratitude?” he asked, his face falling. The words felt like acid in his stomach.
“I didn’t say that,” she spoke softly.
“Yes, Morgan. You did.” He couldn’t hide the hurt from his voice.
“I just don’t want to get hurt. My heart couldn’t take another disappointment. I wouldn’t survive.” Tears sprung to her eyes.
“Then you do have real feelings for me?”
She nodded.
“Are you attracted to me?”
