Page 159 of Trigger

“Yeah.”

“He’s lying,” Shelly said, sniffling. “He was sleeping in the halloutside your room and refused to eat.”

“Tye,” I said reproachfully, when he leaned in, his lipstrembling. “Just three inches lower, Carter. Just three inches and I would havelost you. Don’t… don’t scold me. I would have slept on the floor next to yourbed if they let me.”

“Okay, but I’m fine now. Please don’t look so… It hurts me whenyou’re in pain.”

He nodded and forced a smile. “I know. I’m relieved. I am. I justneed a minute.”

“What about the others? Is Bazooka okay? And Luz?”

“They’re fine. Bazooka has a bump on his head, and Luz has aBand-Aid on his neck. I believe they’re presently arguing in the hall.”

“And the perp?”

“Dead. Cyrus Miller is his name. A cab driver, dishonorablydischarged from the army after he slaughtered a family with three children inthe Sommet province. His mother killed herself when he was ten. His fatherliked sex workers more than his mother, and it was what ultimately sent him onthe killing spree. My bullet hit him a second after he had thrown a knife atyou. I almost died then, by the way.”

I caressed his face. “I’m sorry. It was a stupid plan, wasn’t it?”

He shook his head. “It was a perfect plan because we caught him.And you’re still alive, and you’re mine. But endanger yourself like this again,and I’m breaking up with your ass. Understood?”

I nodded, blushing when he kissed me again, although no one seemedinterested in us. Adam was looking out the window, seemingly bored, or maybejust annoyed because I still breathed. Jordan was looking at Adam from a safedistance, while Shelly stared at the handsome doctor passing by my bed. So, ina way, things turned out… Well, not ideal, but okay. We caught the killer,which was the most important. Sophie Malik, Roxie Brokowich, and all the othervictims have been avenged, and for once, justice has been served in Smitsville.Chief Bibb didn’t fire us for going rogue… yet. Shelly seemed sober for once,and they told me Bruce was recovering from his heart attack.

That same night, Bazooka returned to New Mesa with his duffel bag,which was missing a few knives. Luz went home, promising to “stay in touch”because “we’re pals now”. The last I heard, he got ahold of Bazooka’s phonenumber, so... poor guy.

And I felt blessed. I was still alive, and I had the love of mylife by my side.

Maybe the operation “a disaster waiting to happen” wasn’t such adisaster after all.

Chapter 33

Moving on

Threemonths later

Carter

I slid into the booth, refusing Shelly’s offer to help me sitdown. I looked around Pete’s to check if anyone noticed her fussing over me,but luckily it was a slow night.

“Stop it, Shel,” I protested. “If you haven’t noticed, I’m fine.More than fine.”

My recovery took longer than expected because the knife damagedthe ligaments below my shoulder. I have been wearing a shoulder brace as aprecaution, but at my latest exam the doctor told me I was as good asnew.

“Exactly,” Bruce said, sitting down next to me. “They’re acting asif we’re both invalids or something.”

Bruce went through heart surgery and a long recovery process, buthe was getting back on his feet again. He was still on sick leave, while I wassupposed to return to work next week.

When Bruce reached for the potato chips, Shelly slapped his handaway.

“No way, not on my watch,” she exclaimed. “You’re on a diet,remember?”

“Then, so are you,” he countered, taking the glass away from her.

She rolled her eyes but let him have it. “Speaking of, it’skaraoke night. Do you have it in you, Brucie?”

“You bet!” he replied, standing up. “Buckle up, guys, because youhaven’t heard anything yet.”

I watched him head to the stage when suddenly a kiss landed on mycheek. I turned my head, only to meet the mesmerizing blue gaze. Sky blue, andmy favorite.

---