Page 31 of Lyon

I glanced over at them; they were both wiping their eyes. “They’re done crying,” I remarked as I gently removed her wig, letting her long braid fall free.

“Lyon, my arms are broken—and my fingers are all pulled out of their sockets,” she whispered.

“Can I see your left arm, sweetie?” Chris asked as he gently touched her hand.

I couldn’t help but wonder why she held her arms so protectively; I was sure she had more broken bones than she let on.

Just then, a car skidded to a stop beside us, and Raeann, along with her FBI buddies, hurried over.

“How do you feel, honey?” Raeann asked, her eyes fixed on Niki as she inhaled sharply.

“Mom, I’m fine. Lyon is taking me to the hospital. Can you come with us?” Niki replied.

“Of course I will. Joseph can take care of things here, and the girls and I will follow you,” Raeann assured her.

“What girls?” Niki asked, confused.

“My FBI team,” she answered.

“All of them?”

“Yes. Say hello to them.”

“Sage, are you here?” Niki whispered.

“Yes, sweetie,” came the gentle reply.

“Emma, Brinley, Skye—are all of you here?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you. Please go home to your families. I love all of you so much for coming to find me.”

“We have to go,” I said. Raven climbed into the driver’s seat, and we drove off.

I looked down at Niki, and she was already sleeping.

15

Niki

I decidedit wasn’t going to work out with Lyon and me. Lately, I seemed to be injured every time I turned around, and he was usually away on a job. The only way we could make it work was for me to quit my job. I could do that—if Lyon truly wanted to be with me, I’d leave everything behind for him.

That thought surprised me, filling me with a strange pleasure at the idea of freedom. I no longer wanted to be an FBI agent; I didn’t want the horses, the big home, or the constant danger. I longed to downsize, to simplify my life. Was this just a fleeting impulse, or would this desire stick? I knew I had to mull it over a bit longer.

I was dozing when I felt someone watching me. When I opened my eyes, Max was sitting in the only chair in the room.

“Max, why are you here? One day they’ll boot you out of the Navy Seals for abandoning your post whenever you feel like it,” I teased.

“Damn it, Niki, I’m so fucking angry,” he snapped. “Look at you—you’d be dead if Lyon hadn’t driven by at that exact moment. This has to stop.” I noticed him quickly wiping his eyes. “I’m no longer a Navy Seal, you know. The government leftme to rot in Afghanistan. I’m thinking about starting a business like The Golden Team. Some of my friends from the service are already interested.”

“That’s good—I was hoping you’d say that,” I replied, a hint of excitement in my voice. “I’m planning to quit my job too. I might even sell my house, get rid of the horses, and live a quiet life in a small, comfy home that doesn’t take two days to clean.”

“When did you decide all this?” Max asked.

“This morning, when I realized I was tired of being shot, beaten, and injured every damn day,” I admitted.

Max nodded. “I’m glad you’re quitting the FBI—no more undercover work. Call Joseph today and tell him you’re done before you change your mind. Whatever you do, don’t let him talk you out of it.”

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