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His heart pounds beneath my hand.
He isn’t angry.
He is terrified.
Sean spent eighteen years believing he lost me.
Now every danger feels like it can take Sage and me away again.
“We’re here,” I say.
His hand covers mine.
“For now.”
“For good.”
“You can’t promise that.”
“Yes, I can.”
His gaze returns to mine.
“I didn’t leave you eighteen years ago because I wanted to. Sage didn’t stay away because she wanted to. We’re not walking out of your life.”
His jaw tightens.
“That isn’t the only way I can lose you.”
“No.”
I move closer.
“But you can’t protect us by never letting us stand beside you.”
“I can try.”
“Sean.”
His forehead lowers to mine.
“I need more than three days.”
“You have them.”
“How many?”
“As many as it takes.”
His arm circles my waist.
For one breath, he holds me.
Around us, deputies move through the building.
Paramedics treat Frank.
Kane and the others search Patrick’s vehicle.
