Page 92 of Matthew
The brother grimaced as Caspian cuffed him. His gaze narrowed on Matthew. “Who the hell are you?”
“Security,” he replied, holstering his gun. “And you’re done.”
“Matthew?” Callie’s voice was faint behind him.
He twisted around in time to watch her knees give out. “I’m here.” He caught her as she sank and lowered them both to the bench. “I’m here,” he repeated against her hair, holding her close. “You’re okay now. I’ve got you.”
She clutched at his shirt, fingers trembling, her breath coming in shallow bursts. “I thought—”
Her voice broke, and something in Matthew’s chest splintered.
“I know,” he said quietly, one hand gripping her shoulder, the other cupping the back of her head where she pressed against his chest. “I’ve got you.”
She burrowed closer, her body still shaking. “Can’t believe you showed up.”
“I’ll always show up for you, Callie,” he murmured, kissing the crown of her head. “I’m here. You’re safe.”
She didn’t speak again, just held on tighter.
And Matthew did the only thing he could. He held on tighter too.
Footsteps pounded across gravel outside. A moment later, the front greenhouse doors swung open, and the sheriff and his deputy entered, weapons drawn.
“Everybody good?” Gabe called, his gaze sweeping the room.
“All accounted for,” Bennett confirmed, stepping back to hand Les over to the sheriff.
Caspian surrendered the other man into the deputy’s custody—who also happened to be his brother. “Tell Dad we worked together and nobody got shot. He’ll be thrilled.”
Mac and Briggs stepped in moments later, the tension already shifting to post-op sharpness. Mac gave a nod, Briggs arched a brow. “The Hutchins brothers?”
Matthew nodded once.
“And the HPC is under the soil,” Callie said, pulling out of his arms to stand and lift the black pouch in her hand. “There’s more, but I’ll remove it myself so you don’t kill my plants. I want this poison gone.”
Admiration warmed Matthew’s blood as he watched resolve remove the clouds from her gaze and strengthen her spine.
Callie drew a steadying breath and handed the pouch to Briggs. “Here. I want this poison off my property.”
Briggs took the bag with gloved hands, nodding. “We’ll catalog everything and sweep the rest.”
“Nursery’s secure,” the deputy confirmed. “We’ll transport both suspects now.”
“Keep them separate,” Gabe said, eyes on Les and his brother. “Let’s see who talks first.”
Matthew watched Callie as she donned gloves and led Briggs to the cluster of wilting plants. She was still pale, although, steadier now. Stronger. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and not let go, but she looked at him and gave a small nod, silently telling him she was okay.
But was he?
Carter’s voice came through comms. “Feed’s archived. Sending a copy to Briggs and the sheriff now. And for the record? Hell of a takedown.”
Bennett cracked his neck. “Aren’t they all?”
“Yeah.” Caspian smirked. “This is the norm.”
Gabe gave Matthew a long look. “You kept her safe.”
“She kept herself safe.” Matthew shook his head. “We just got there in time.”
