Page 60 of Deadly Threat
“Why wouldn’t I?”
He dropped his gaze again. Released a heavy sigh. “If I’d caught Horvat before he kidnapped you last year, none of this would have happened.”
Ridiculous, silly man. “You’re not the bad guy here, Malachi. Your blame is misplaced.”
“That’s why I was at the peer support group meeting that night. Harris had already told me the Bureau had cut a deal with King and that he’d immediately buddied up with Horvat the minute he was set free. I wanted to go after him, but was ordered to stand down. Anger and guilt were eating me alive, and I knew I needed a meeting. I hadn’t been to one in months.”
It seemed like luck or serendipity. She didn’t care either way. “Maybe it was karma, putting you smack dab in the middle of what went down, so you could get justice and make amends at the same time. But enough is enough. I forgive you, even though there is nothing to forgive. End of story. Move on, okay?” She opened a book and studied the contents, looking for the chapter she needed. “How did you get here?”
“Sue drove me.”
Traitor. “Funny, she didn’t mention that when she dropped me off.”
“I told her to keep it a secret.”
Men. Mia chuckled, deciding she would have to have a long talk with Sue about her loyalties.
Malachi touched her hand. “I was actually hoping you’d demand I make more amends—like possibly for the rest of my life?”
She squeezed his fingers, heart racing at the look in his eyes. They’d survived so much together, still had a lot to go through with his therapy. They werebotha hot mess at this point, but by god, they could do it together.
“I see.” She tapped a finger to her chin, pretending to think it over. “I suppose if you do everything I tell you to, that could be arranged.”
Even though he was in a cast, he boosted himself up and leaned across the table. She met him halfway and kissed him for all she was worth.
Twenty-Six
Mann brought the dog at 1500 hours. Malachi couldn’t go to the foster’s house to pick him up, but they’d done a video chat, and she had okayed the adoption. She’d even given him a discount, after realizing who he was, and using the term ‘hero’. It made him flinch, but at least that was one good thing that had come out of his fifteen minutes of fame.
He’d instructed Caleb to send the dog rescue double the amount. Upon his arrival, the pit-mix seemed to realize that Malachi was his new buddy and jetted across the foyer into the living room, hopping up onto the couch and diving into Malachi’s lap.
Malachi grunted, hugging the beast. The dog had to weigh fifty pounds or more, and the pressure on his bad leg hurt, but the enthusiasm Boomer displayed made him laugh through the pain.
“My work here is done,” Mann said, turning for the door. “I’m still waiting for that gin, Cahill.”
“Sue left a bottle of AMASS at the Bondsmen Brothers’ office. You can pick it up there.” Wrestling past the dog’s face-licking, he glanced around. “Did you buy the stuff for him I asked for?”
“Yep. Got it in my car.”
Mann returned a minute later with a plastic sack from the pet shop, Harris on his heels. The second man carried a giant bag of kibble and was wearing glasses.
“Goofing off again, I see,” Harris goaded.
Boomer’s nose lifted in the air and he jumped off Malachi’s lap. “Do I want to know why you’re here?” Malachi shot back.
Mann tossed the sack on the coffee table and started unloading its contents. Harris set down the dog food. “I hear you’re gonna need this.”
Didn’t answer his question. “Thanks. What’s with the specs?”
“Nothing.” Harris whipped them off and tucked them in a jacket pocket.
“Celina’s making him wear them.” Mann flinched when Harris swatted him, then grinned as he pulled out a collar, bowls, toys, and a leash. “I also got extra in case you have guests. Another dog bowl and one for the cat.”
His grin was cheeky. The dog immediately dove for one of the toys, claimed a spot on the floor, and began ripping it to shreds.
“What’s the latest on Constance?” Malachi asked, as they watched the animal.
Harris was happier to discuss this subject. “She’s been released from jail and is aiding us in finding the rest of Marcher’s assets.” He began picking up stuffing. Boomer tossed a wad in the air and started eating it.
