Page 80 of Montana Rain

My chest felt tight, and I knew it wouldn’t ease until Rayne was back in my arms. But the doctors and nurses were with her now, getting her fixed up. Her wounds weren’t serious, which I was eternally grateful for.

It had been way, way too close.

When they’d pulled me back to wait for the asshole to confess, I’d nearly lost myself in the raw anger of needing to get to her.

Scrubbing a hand over my face, I leaned against the wall by her door, waiting for them to be finished with her.

“Phillips,” a voice boomed.

I turned and found Special Agent Bordeaux coming toward me. “Sir. You’re here with the prisoners?”

“Yeah.”

They needed to get checked out and treated before they went to lockup. The ones who were still alive anyway.

“She all right?”

“She will be,” I said. I would make sure of it.

Bordeaux clapped me on the shoulder. “You did good, Phillips. When you get back, we have plenty of things for you to work on. You won’t be bored, that’s for sure.”

I cleared my throat. “Sir, I won’t be returning.”

“I was afraid of that. Seattle is clamoring for you too. Can’t say I blame them.”

“No, sir. I mean I won’t be returning at all. After my admin leave is over, I’d like to retire.”

The man’s face went slack. “What the hell are you talking about, Phillips?”

What was I talking about?

Glancing toward Rayne’s room, I smiled. Everything in me felt settled and grounded. Something I hadn’t felt in years, maybe ever. “I’ve found where I needed to be, sir. It’s not with the Bureau. I’ve contributed to situations like this for too long, and now I’d like to help people recover from them.”

He snorted. “That ranch out in Montana? Seriously?”

“Seriously. They do incredible work. Work more than one agent could benefit from.”

“Well,” he said. “You’re one hell of an agent, and I think you’re making a mistake. But I can’t stop you.” Holding out his hand, he sighed. “Thank you for your work. I’ll make sure everything goes through for you. Enjoy the rest of your leave. You’ve definitely earned your pay on that one.”

I laughed once, but my stomach clenched. Rayne and I both would have wanted things to have gone differently. And yet, if it hadn’t happened the same way, would we still be here? Together?

There was no way to know.

“Thank you.” I shook his hand. “I’ll be in touch.”

“Cole,” Ava called from down the hallway, wheeling faster than her mother walking behind her. Bordeaux inclined his head and left while they took his place. “Is she—”

“She’s okay,” I said. “I’ll let her tell you the rest. It’s her story. I think they’re almost done with her, but you should be able to go in.”

Ava narrowed her eyes. “Why are you out here?”

“Just giving the doctors some space.” I smiled tightly. “And I’m not family.” Yet, I said in my mind.

“We’ll see about that,” her mother muttered, taking Ava’s chair and marching into the room with a look that told me she wasn’t having any of it.

“Oh my god.” Ava’s voice floated out the door. I smiled. Her mom and sister were lovely, and I looked forward to seeing them more. If they needed help to repair the apartment, I would be there for that too.

I pulled out my phone and made a call. As soon as the breaching had been complete, the guys at the ranch had signed off. I knew they’d be waiting for an update, and I had a question for them too.

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