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“Dev!”

Her heart stopped beating.

She knew that voice.

I’d know it anywhere.

“Blake?” The word barely escaped her damaged throat.

A figure emerged through the trees. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dark hair. Blue eyes.

Blake was alive, and he was here.

Devon tried to sit up as he dropped to his knees beside her. His handsome face twisted with a wince, but his entire focus was locked onto her.

“Oh, God, Dev.”

She reached for him. He caught her hands and pulled her carefully against him.

Devon broke, then. A sob tore from her chest as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Y-you’re alive!”

Blake buried his face against her hair.

“Yeah, baby. I’m here.”

She clung to him. “I thought y-you were d-dead.”

His arms tightened around her. “I’m okay.”

She pulled back enough to look at him.

His face was pale. He wore a protective vest. And beneath it⁠—

Her gaze dropped toward his left side. “You were shot.”

“I’m okay, Dev. I promise.” He brushed trembling fingers across her cheek. “Ah, baby. I thought I’d lost you. But then Jethro saw you run out of the service area and into the woods, and I couldn’t just sit back and—” His voice cracked.

Devon shook her head. “I-I tried to get away.”

“I know.”

“I wasn’t sure anyone w-would come for m-me.”

His gorgeous blue gaze immediately grew tense. “I will always come for you.” He pressed his lips carefully to hers. “Always.”

Tears spilled down her face.

Blake leaned forward and rested his forehead against hers. “I love you so much.”

“I love you, too.”

Lucas stepped up beside him. His assessing gaze fell over her.

“Blake, I need to check her.”

“I’m okay.” Devon cleared her throat.