What had happened to Kassidy in the past five years? How had she gone from the competent, passionate, take-charge woman I knew, to this Kassidy? Why was she so angry and defensive? Why did she argue with me about everything? Why was she willing to throw her life away? And why wasn’t my help, the FBI’s help, enough? Why didn’t she trust me?
The most difficult question was one I’d have to do some soul searching over. Because today was the scariest day of my life, and I didn’t understand why. The fear when I realized someone was trying to shoot Kassidy had ripped at me, had been worse than all the combat I’d seen as a Green Beret, all the abuse I’d gone through as a child. Hell, I was more scared for Kassidy’s safety today than I was after Ava’s call about our mom being in the hospital. Why was Kassidy’s safety so important to me?
I didn’t yet have the answers to those questions, but I wanted to, more than anything.
I held her until she stopped crying, trying to ignore the throbbing pain in my chest and abdomen, and when she was calm, I sat back, letting my arm drop away. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to comfort her, but because there was indeed a dead body in the alley with us, and I needed to do something about that.
“I have to call my team and get them over here to help,” I told her, and she nodded. I pulled out my phone and called Nolan, letting him know that I needed them ASAP, and giving him my location.
Once I’d hung up, Kassidy and I sat in silence until she spoke up. “I’m not sad that he’s dead,” she admitted quietly as we waited.
“No?” I asked her simply, not wanting to say too much and spook her when she was finally opening up.
“He’s the one who caused the bruises,” she admitted.
“I had a feeling that was the case,” I told her. She didn’t say anything else, just stared at the wall in front of us, and I knew what she needed to hear. “It’s okay that you aren’t sad. That doesn’t make you a bad person.”
It seemed like that validation was exactly what Kassidy needed to open up to me even more. She was suddenly an open book, explaining what happened with William—the dates they went on, how he gave her the bruises, and how she got away from him. She also explained why she decided to go back to the office today to see him again. While I hated that she’d put herself through all of that, I had to admit that the reason for her actions was noble, if misguided.
“There’s one other thing that I need to ask you,” I said gently, hoping that I wouldn’t cause her to shut down.
“What is it?”
“Do you remember meeting me a few years ago?” I asked her.
I could tell even before she spoke what her answer would be.
“Yes. I remember you,” she said, looking almost sheepish. “And I’m sorry for being such a pain when you came to my office that day. I think I didn’t recognize you at first because you have facial hair now, and because it was so dark in the embassy when we met. I didn’t realize it was you until you were on the phone.”
“So if you’d known it was me, you would’ve gone easier on me?” I asked teasingly.
“Most likely,” Kassidy admitted, and I laughed at the honesty in her admission.
“Well, I’m glad I had such a positive impact on you,” I quipped.
“You have no idea,” she said quietly, but before I could ask what she meant, I heard the rumble of approaching vehicles and I stood, tugging her up with me. My team pulled up, parked two black Suburbans at the entrance to the alley, and then quickly piled out into the street. I watched as they noticed the dead body, scanned the rest of the alley we were in, then came straight over to Kassidy and me.
“What’s going on?” Ryder asked as he strode over. “We ran into some Metro police on the way here. They were looking for a shooter, but we told them we had it handled.”
“The man over there, William Reeves,” I gestured, “works at Paradise Cruises. He followed Kassidy to the coffee shop where I was meeting up with her, and he tried to shoot her as we left, but hit me instead. I chased him and cornered him here. He pointed his weapon at me, then killed himself after saying that he’d die no matter what for allowing Kassidy to get proof of what they’re doing. I assume he meant the human trafficking that Paradise Cruises is involved with.”
“You were shot?” Nolan asked as he stepped closer to look for injuries. “Where?”
“In the chest,” I said, pointing to the imperfection in my vest. “Kassidy, this is Nolan, by the way,” I introduced them.
“Take your vest and shirt off so I can check your injury,” Nolan ordered once he’d said a brief hello to Kassidy. He was in paramedic mode, and didn’t have time for pleasantries. He helped me take the vest off, and then I pulled my shirt over my head, trying to hide the pain my movements caused. As I undressed, I heard the rest of my team introducing themselves to Kassidy.
Once my shirt was gone, I looked down, studying the bullet-shaped pattern in the middle of my chest, and the purple markings surrounding where the round had hit, some parts darker than others. I heard Kassidy gasp next to me, and when I glanced over, her face had gone pale.
“I’m okay, Kassidy,” I reminded her, and when she met my gaze, I held it, offering her my support. “Take some deep breaths.” I tried to take a deep breath myself, to encourage her, but as I stared into her gorgeous, green eyes, I forgot about my injuries for a moment. As I inhaled, it felt like my ribs were on fire, and I couldn’t hide the small groan of pain.
“I’m the reason he was shot. It’s completely my fault,” Kassidy said forcefully, and I could tell she was fighting back tears. I knew she was addressing my team, not me, and I watched as they studied her closely.
If I had to guess, I’d say that Kassidy was coming out from the gate swinging in an effort to protect herself. She was expecting my team to blame her for my injury, and she was preparing herself for their anger, already drawing her defenses around herself by pushing them away. It was brave, in a way, but unnecessary. I trusted my team completely, and I knew she’d never need to protect herself from them, physically or emotionally.
“Are you the one who shot him?” Gabe asked her gruffly, and she shook her head, seemingly horrified at that idea. “Then it’s not your fault.”
“No, you don’t understand,” Kassidy insisted. “Evan was hurt because he took a bullet meant for me. He’s only tried to help me, and I’ve just made one stupid decision after another, dragging him into my mess with me. It’s my fault he was hurt, because he wouldn’t have been shot if it wasn’t for me.”
“Kassidy…,” Wes began, but she interrupted before he could continue.
“That bullet was mine to take, not his. I’m so sorry that he was injured because of me.” Her voice, and the look of devastation on her face, shredded my heart. I started to speak, to tell her again how wrong she was, but my team beat me to it.
“Stop,” Ryder said darkly, and Kassidy shrank back as he pinned his dark gaze on her. I didn’t blame her for being wary. Ryder was a huge, tattooed man who vibrated with intensity. I felt an urge to comfort her, but Kate wrapped her arms around Kassidy in support, and I saw her relax the tiniest amount as Ryder continued. “Evan is an adult. He’s also an FBI agent and a former Special Forces operative. It was his decision to take that bullet for you, and he knew exactly what he was doing when he made that decision. Plus, he was wearing a vest, and you weren’t. With all of that in mind, I think I speak for all of us when I say that none of us blame you for Evan getting hurt. And I can guarantee you that every single one of us would’ve done the exact same thing.”