Page 78 of Critical Doubt

"Don't apologize. You just got horrific news."

"We should leave a message for Mason," she said, picking up his phone once more. "I can do it."

"No. I'll do it."

She handed him his phone. She was happy to see he was pulling himself together.

He called Mason once more. This time, he left a short message saying only that Hank was dead and that he needed to call him as soon as he got the message. Then they went up on deck. He started the engine and took them out of the cove.

It was getting dark, and suddenly the peaceful bay seemed filled with menacing shadows.

Almost ten minutes passed before he said a word, and then it was another apology. "I am sorry, Savannah."

"I told you not to apologize."

"But I have to. I never should have gotten into your car at the river. I never should have let you come with me to Atlanta or to DC or here."

"You didn't let me. I chose to come, and I would have come without you if you'd tried to ditch me."

"You're in danger because of me. You could get hurt."

"I can handle myself."

"Now you sound like Hank."

She frowned at the comparison. "I'm not Hank, and I'm very aware of the danger. But blaming yourself is a waste of time. I'm here. And we're going to finish this together."

He met her gaze. "You should go back to California."

"That's not happening."

"This isn't your battle."

"The reason I got into it still exists. I want to get the truth for Abby, and justice for her and her family. But I have another reason now, too—you. I don't want to see you get hurt, either. And I think you need me."

"I don't want to need you," he grumbled.

"I know. But you do."

He met her gaze. "I know you're right, but it doesn't sit well."

"It doesn't have to sit well. Just don't fight me."

"All right. But there's one more thing—"

"If you apologize for having sex with me, I swear—"

"No. No." He shook his head. "I was not going to say that, because I'm not sorry about us being together."

"Good."

"I was going to ask if you could get my gun out of the locker downstairs."

"I can do that." She went down to the locker and retrieved the gun and ammunition. When she returned to the cockpit, she handed the weapon to Ryker. They were alone on the water for now, but who knew how long that would last?

As Ryker tucked his gun in the waistband of his jeans with ease and agility, she realized he was moving back into warrior mode, which was good, because she needed him to be on his game.

"Where do you want to go?" he asked. "Obviously, we can't stay on the boat."

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