Page 125 of Love Me Dangerous

He’ll never get his hands on William. Raising my little brother with the love he deserves isn’t just some dream—it’s going to happen.

Tears prick my eyes. I can go home, tell the sheriff what I know, and finalize getting custody.

The word echoes through me.Home.

Is Alaska still home, or has that changed?

What about Finn River?

What about Sofie?

What about Barb and Henry, and Rowdy, and everyone else I’ve come to care about?

There are good people in this town.

How can I leave them?

When Julian finally cuts me loose, it’s past midnight.

I slip into Sofie’s room. Rowdy sits next to Sofie’s bed, with Linnea curled up asleep on the easy chair and Jesse seated on the floor next to her, a stoic expression on his weary face.

Rowdy stands, and we share a steady, intense gaze. For a man who’s been through hell—some of which is my fault—he looks remarkably calm.

Before I can stutter out my apologies, he steps close and draws me into a firm embrace. I fight my surprise, and then I hug him back. That same sensation of my heart being pulled in two directions sharpens. I’ve grown to love these people—how could I not, given their kindness? Their belief in me?

But I love my brother too.

“Thank you,” Rowdy says in my ear. I’m sure he’s got a million questions, but he steps back, his eyes glassy.

“Two grown men hugging,” Sofie says, giving me a sleepy smile from where she’s cocooned on the bed. “It must be serious.”

Rowdy laughs and swipes at his eyes. He reaches for Sofie’s hand. “Or maybe it’s just… good.”

My gut takes a dive. After everything that’s happened, does he really think of me as good?

“They’re kicking us loose in the morning,” Rowdy says. “I’ll go check on that paperwork.”

He nods at Jesse, who lumbers to his feet and follows his dad. At the doorway, he turns back. With his shoulders slumped and the dark circles under his eyes, he takes in his sister in the bed, then lifts his gaze to mine.

“It was you at the lake,” he says.

He seems to be waiting for something, so I nod. “Yeah.”

“I wish it never happened, but I’m glad you’re here.”

The connection between us pulls taut. “Me too.”

Jesse gives me a thoughtful glance before slipping from the room, the door thumping shut behind him.

I lower to the chair, grimacing. Everything is stiffening up, and my left eye feels puffy.

Gently, I reach for Sofie’s hand and draw it to my lips for a kiss. Closing my eyes, I savor the relief and gratitude rising through me. She’s going to be okay.

“You getting warm in there?” I ask.

“Finally.” Her delicate fingers cradle mine.

There’s an IV delivering fluid to her other arm, the tubing disappearing beneath the blankets. Her right cheek is pink and swollen, but her eyes are calm.

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