Page 101 of Fate's Unseen Shadow

She didn’t speak on the ride down. Only clung to his shoulders as she buried her head into his neck, breathing rapidly, like she was trying to keep her shit together. When the doors opened, a wet spot had formed on his shirt and he realized she’d started crying.

Slater ran forward with Ryker. “Is she okay? Hurt? Xavier?” Slater asked without a pause, looking past Damon toward the building.

“Xavier’s fine, and I don’t know about her.” He looked past the guys to the FBI. “Two of the killers are dead upstairs. Julia was disabled in the kitchen. You’ll need to make a call to your team now.”

“What about Jeff?” Agent Diggs asked.

“He made a great witness.”

Phones in hand, calling in support, the FBI agents took off at a jog toward the building.

“Waiting around for the FBI or leaving?” Ryker opened the passenger side door of the car. “Your call.”

Damon looked at Slater. “We need to stay, don’t we?”

“It’ll look better if you do.” He lifted his chin. “Kill him?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” Slater came closer to them. “Ella, darling. You’re safe now.”

Ella sniffed and lifted her head. She skimmed her fingers along Damon’s cheek. “Thanks to you guys.”

Slater hissed. “Damn, honey. You really did headbutt her.” He stepped close and moved her head to the side. “At least you hit a hard part of your head.”

She reached up to touch it.

“Don’t.” Damon set her on her feet, keeping an arm around her waist for support. “It’ll be fine with a few stitches, but don’t touch it. It’s open and will hurt.”

“Where is Julia?” Ella sniffed again and looked at the building. “Is she dead, too? You said disabled. I don’t know what that means.”

Her body shook, so he wrapped her up tighter. “No. Xavier choked her out. She’ll wake up arrested and go to trial for the murder of your father and Davies.”

Ella nodded, wincing. “My head’s starting to throb now.”

Making the decision, he stood and turned to Slater. “We’re going to the hospital to get this cleaned up and to see if she has a concussion or anything else. The FBI can question us there if they want.”

“Go. We’ll take care of it.” Ryker patted Damon’s back. “You did good.”

He pulled out the gun and handed it over to him. “I don’t think they want me walking into the hospital with this thing.”

“Perfect shot,” Xavier announced as he entered the circle, grinning. “Like always. I left Jeff standing in the same spot he was when you shot Matteo, still in shock and trying to figure out how to write this report.”

Sirens sounded as Atlanta PD rushed onto the scene.

Ella turned and hugged Xavier. “Thank you.”

He patted her back. “Anytime. Do we need to start calling you Elizabeth now?”

“Nope.” She pulled away and looked over her shoulder at Damon. “I think I’ll stick with Ella.”

Damon took her from Xavier and kissed the tip of her nose. “Ella Vargas as soon as I convince you.”

She rose on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Won’t take much.”

After a light kiss, he helped her get settled in the car. “Let’s get you checked out at the hospital so I can take you home.”

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