Page 97 of Sighs By the Sea

“Not done?”

“Oh no, I’m good. For now,” she says, kissing my nose.

As soon as she’s off me, she yanks her pants back up, not bothering with the mess on her legs. I do the same, and within half a second, I hear the sirens screech to a stop outside. I scoop the towel off the floor and toss it to her. Maggie presses it back to her wrist. “Hands up, Gray, it’ll make this easier.” I immediately comply, not wanting to cause any panic or misunderstanding with the police.

A SWAT team bursts in, yelling for hands in the air. I shoot Maggie a pleased look.

“Welcome to the party, boys and girls. Suspect is in that closet,” she says, nodding toward the door we just banged against. Several officers rush to the closet, shoving us aside. Their guns ready, one of them rips the door open. Don is awake, a look of pure fury in his eyes.

“Detective Parker, do you need an ambulance?” one of the women in full tactical gear asks, eyeing Maggie’s wrist. The bleeding has stopped, but if I had it my way, she'd definitely go get it checked out.

“I’m okay. Maybe just a band aid? This is Grayson Cardenas; he rescued me,” she says, smiling at me. The sight warms my heart and simultaneously makes my pulse quicken. Damn, she does things to me without even trying.

Don is quickly cuffed and led out of the room, scowling the entire way. But he doesn't say a word. There’s nothing left for him to say. He won’t ever see the light of day again after kidnapping a college student and then a cop. I’m almost certain he was the one who shot Harry too. Maybe even took out Lucas and even Phillip Waters. That's something for the genius detectives to figure out though. Not me. I'm done with chasing criminals. Either way, Don will be in prison for the rest of his life, and I finally feel like I can breathe again. The weight that had been hanging over us is gone. It’s over.

It takes an hour for us to tell our story, and get Maggie's wrist patched up, but when we’re done, Greg is waiting with Tommy.

I nod at them as they approach. “Thought we might need to fight some scary guy, but it looks like you took care of it.”

I laugh and wrap an arm around Maggie. “I didn’t. Maggie here did it all herself.”

She playfully slaps my chest. “He was the perfect distraction.”

I laugh again, the bruises on my face stinging with the movement. The skin feels tight and swollen, and I know I’ll be meeting Advil and ice soon enough.

Tommy shifts uncomfortably. “Is this one of those times when we need to see the other guy? ‘Cause shit, Gray.” Everyone laughs at his deadpan joke.

“No, he definitely got the drop on me. I, uh, can’t really throw a punch to save my life. Literally.” The group chuckles again, and I look down at Maggie. “She saved me, though.”

To my surprise, Maggie looks down, a shy smile on her face. “Eh, I figured it would be a pain to get time with George if you were dead.”

“I see. So you’re using me for my son?”

She pecks my cheek. “Definitely.” Fine by me. I love that they’re already so close. Besides, I know it’s not true. We all love each other. We’re a family. That’s how it goes.

Greg points to my car. “Tommy can take you two back? He can catch a ride home with Ma. I don't think either of you should drive.” It sounds like a suggestion, but it’s clear it’s not up for debate. After what we’ve been through, cuddling in the back seat while Tommy drives us home sounds perfect.

Tommy’s face doesn’t change, but Greg gives him a playful shove. “Uh, sure. I guess. Not like I have a surf lesson at six-thirty tomorrow,” Tommy says.

I chortle. “Dude, you’re a six-time champion. Should you even be giving lessons anymore?”

All three of them stare at me. My brow furrows. “What?”

“You said, ‘dude,’” Maggie says, trying to cover the smile on her lips.

“When in Rome?” I reply uncertainly. But it’s not enough to stop their laughter. That’s okay with me too. After what we’ve been through, we should be laughing together.

As the chucking dies down, we head toward my car. Greg opens the door for us, and we climb in. He gestures for the window to be rolled down, and when it is, he leans inside. “Uh, just a warning, but Henrietta has demanded we all come up tomorrow. But I can maybe fend her off if you guys don’t—”

“Oh! Yes, that’s perfect! Can the boys stay the night? We got a bunk bed, and George would love it!” Maggie’s voice is filled with excitement, and my heart squeezes in my chest.

“Erm, free babysitting? Fuck yeah! We’ll be over around noon, okay?”

I nod and start rolling up the window, forcing Greg to step back. He’s still cackling as he walks off. Without a word, Tommy starts the car. I put an arm around Maggie, and she rests her head on my shoulder.

“Take us home, Jeeves,” Maggie says, a playful lilt in her voice.

"I'm going to regret agreeing to this, aren't I?” he says, already resigned.

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