Page 48 of Knight's Fall

He watched her assess him, probably trying to decide if he was sincere. He must have passed her test because she relaxed and gave him a friendly smile. “No, I’m fine. Thank you for bringing Bogie home to me. He’s all I have.”

“You have Courtlyn too. And now you have me. My name is Griffin Tyler, but my friends call me Wings.” He pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and withdrew a business card. He passed it to her. “You need anything, Mrs. Dobbs, you can call me. Anytime.”

She studied the card for a few seconds before nodding. “Thank you. That’s very kind. You’re a good man, Mr. Tyler. I can tell. I’m an excellent judge of character.”

He returned her smile. “Thank you, ma’am, but call me Wings. I hope you have a good night, Mrs. Dobbs. Make sure you secure your door behind you when you get inside.”

“I will. Thank you, Wings, and please tell Courtlyn I said thank you. Enjoy your night.”

He waited until he heard her set her lock in place before he retreated back the way he came. He wanted to run back to Courtlyn’s, the need to see her strong, but he settled for a quick walk. His long legs ate up the distance, and in the time it took him to reach her house, he decided now was not the time to share his feelings with her.

Their relationship was new, and he couldn’t predict where they would be weeks or even months from now. He had yet to go on a mission since he’d gone back to work. He knew the strain that could be put on a relationship when the loved one had to wait and wonder because they couldn’t share where they were going, what they were doing or how long they would be gone.

Until he knew if they could survive the nature of his job, it was better he kept things as they were.

He slowed his steps when he noted not one but two figures waiting on the landing to Courtlyn’s house. He stopped at the bottom of the steps, his body tense.

“Can I help you?”

They moved closer to where he stood, their hands interlocked. The streetlamp illuminated them enough for him to see a man and woman, both smiling. Her smile widened, and something about her demeanor made Wings wonder if they had met before.

“Well, well, well, I finally get to meet Sexy Neighbor in the flesh.”

“Excuse me?”

The man draped his arm around her shoulders as if sending a warning to Wings — he was staking a claim to the woman. Wings could have reassured the guy that he had no interest in his woman, but he would rather they explain why they were at Courtlyn’s house so late in the evening.

“What she means to say is we’re friends of Courtlyn’s, and we thought she’d be home. We have some news to share,” the guy explained.

“I’m sure she’s mentioned me,” the woman added, and Wings relaxed.

“Olivia.”

“That’s me. And this is my boyfriend, Dex.”

“Actually.” Dex raised their hands as if that was supposed to mean something to Wings. “We’re engaged.”

Wings couldn’t stop his smile. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks, but it wouldn’t have happened without Courtlyn,” Dex said.

“Where is she? I have to tell her and say thank you. She’s going to freak,” Olivia said.

“The neighbor’s dog got loose. We were out looking for him. She’s probably waiting for me at my house.”

Wings pulled his phone out of his pocket and was surprised to see he had no response to his last text from Courtlyn.

“I texted her to tell her we were coming over. I figured she’d be waiting for us.” Olivia reached into the tiny purse hanging from her shoulder and pulled out a cell phone. “Does she have her phone with her? She’s usually quick to reply. Maybe the battery is dead.”

Wings shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. She was expecting your call. When our neighbor called, she thought it was you at first.”

“Well, I’m just going to call her and tell her to get her ass back here.”

Wings looked up as Olivia waited for the call to connect. After a few moments, his stomach churned. He knew before Olivia spoke that Courtlyn wasn’t answering.

“It went to voicemail. Maybe she has no signal.”

“She should only be down the street. She went one way while I went the other. She said it was easier to find the dog if we split up.”

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