Page 73 of No Man Left Behind

“She was amazing. Traded herself for Owen without a hesitation and then didn’t panic.”

“You’ve got a good one.”

He did.

Finch wandered into the kitchen, and they followed. The kittens were curled up in Finch’s dog bed. The Great Dane nudged them with his nose and then squeezed his upper half onto the bed. His lower half rested on the cool kitchen floor.

Joe grinned. “He’s a good kitten dad. Seems like you’re making a family, Marcus.”

That made him smile. He was. And he wanted more.

Elina stopped outside the Yoganna Love It studio with Marcus and Finch. Joe and Lia waited a few yards away.

Marcus rearranged the box of kittens to run his hand down her arm, and took her hand. “You sure you’re okay here?”

She nodded. Marcus was going to escort the prisoner from Doc’s to Phail Jail, and she didn’t need to see him yet. She wanted answers to her questions but she wanted to be more settled if she did confront him. And she wasn’t ready to be on her own yet.

Spending a few minutes alone with Marcus had helped. So had the conversation with Lia. The doctor had been through a similar experience. She’d offered to find Elina a therapist to talk things through with if she felt the need.

At this point, she wasn’t sure she would need that. Marcus was her rock, and she thought talking would help them both through it, but she’d keep the option open.

“I’m good. The doors will be locked and there are enough people here. I want to see Owen and make sure he’s okay. I think the kittens will help everyone.”

Scout reached her paws up the side of the box, wanting to escape.

Marcus smiled. “Not yet, Scout. You can get out in a minute.”

Then he kissed Elina softly. “If you need anything, even if it’s just to say hi, call me. You’re more important than anything. Don’t feel like you’d be interrupting.”

“Okay, but I think I’m good. As long as I can see you again in a few hours. Go ahead, and do your job.”

His serious eyes studied her, and he nodded. “Okay. And maybe you’ll get some ideas for your own job with Owen and the kittens.”

She just might. Elina knocked on the door, and Rachel opened it with a shaky smile. She pointed at Elina. “I’ll get to you in a minute. First, I have to do this.”

Rachel threw her arms around Marcus and hugged him tightly. “Thank you. For saving Owen and Elina, for keeping us all safe. If you ever need anything at all, just ask. Thank you.”

Her voice shook, and Marcus’s voice was gruff when he answered. “You’re welcome, but Elina was the one who kept Owen safe. You’ve raised a smart, resilient boy. If he wants to talk about it with me, you know where to find me.”

Rachel’s laugh was watery. “You may regret offering that. He’s definitely going to want to talk to you about it all.”

“Any time.”

Rachel let him go and took the box of kittens. She led the way inside the entrance. Elina and Lia followed her inside. Marcus and Joe waited until the door was locked and then they headed to Doc’s and the prisoner.

Lia took the box of kittens from Rachel. “I’ll give you two a moment. Where are Owen and Piper?”

“In the yoga studio. He’s showing Piper some moves.”

Lia told Finch to come along, and she moved into the home.

Rachel turned to Elina and threw her arms around her. “Thank you.”

She burst into tears, and Elina found herself doing the same. For a long minute, the two women held each other. “He’s okay?”

Rachel nodded and sucked in a deep breath. “Thanks to you. I don’t know how to thank you for what you did. That was the bravest thing I’ve ever seen. You got Owen away from that man, and I am in your debt forever. No matter what, if you need anything, you ask. I can never repay you for keeping him safe.”

Elina squeezed her hard. “You’re welcome, and there’s no debt. I’m just so glad Owen is okay.”

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