The crime-scene investigators troop through the entranceway. They cross the gravel courtyard and to come into the house. I’ve left a trail of mistakes. They glare at me from every corner of the entryway. I push myself against the wall and avert my eyes as the techs from the medical examiner’s office take Aubry’s captors away in body bags.

Salve and an ambulance were the first on the scene. A gory scene. One that I still can’t quite fathom I created. I can’t figure out why Aubry dragged the two guys from outside into the entryway. It seems morbid. Like she just wanted to see the body count all in one place. Liam called Salve after my text to him. I should have known better, but what’s done is done and now it’s time to pay up.

“Tell me your movements of the last six hours. We have to do a complete report. It’s necessary for us to know where everyone was.”

I sketch the details of my time for Detective Salve, telling him about my night at Aubry’s, going to grab breakfast, finding her gone. About my suspicion that the Russians had a hand in Aubry’s disappearance and how I knew Liam had done real estate deals with them in the past. How I used that to my advantage. I was about to give Detective Salve the rest of the story when his phone rings and he excuses himself.

“Don’t say anything else,” Aubry spits from her spot tucked beneath my arm fiercely. I eye her warily, uncertain what she’s up to. She nestles her face against my chest possessively.

When Salve returns, Aubry speaks up. “Mike found me and tried to save me. They fought.” She sniffles, “It was so scary. I shot them. Mike started the fight, but I was the one who got one of the guns when it skidded across the floor. He’d knocked it out of their hand. I was the one who pulled the trigger.”

Salve gives Aubry a curious look, as if he’s weighing his options. Does Aubry even know how to shoot a gun? If I’m thinking it, Salve’s got to be thinking it as well. But in the end, he only nods before making a note and being called away again.

“Why’d you do that?” I whisper to her.

She turns her big ocean blue eyes up to me and with the utmost sincerity says, “Because it makes more sense and I won’t get in trouble. Don’t you see? It’s the only way I could return the favor and save you.” I can’t control the desire itching inside me at her words. She wants to save me. Dipping down I press my lips to hers.

Aubry walks next to the gurney as they wheel me to the ambulance. My leg throbs. A bone deep pain ever persistent. Now that adrenaline has wilted and eased, the pain is almost unbearable. She squeezes my hand signaling me to look at her. I follow her gaze to the police tape perimeter and sigh.

Nora is lifting the tape, red hair flying wild in the wind. She plows through two cops, marching directly toward us.

“I will kill you,” she seethes at me.

“Stop,” Aubry says holding a hand up. “He saved me.”

“Being a vigilante is not the same as being a hero. You could have disappeared forever. Died!” Her voice is full of emotion. Before I can form a coherent response, Liam appears behind her. Aubry releases my hand and pulls Nora into a hug whispering things I can’t make out.

“You shoot yourself?” Liam asks quietly. He presses his lips into a firm line. Like he’s stifling something.

I chance a smirk and shake my head. “No, ass. I’m a damn good shot.”

The paramedics stop me outside the back doors and Liam uses their distraction to speak.

“I couldn’t risk losing you both.” His tone is genuine.

I nod, staunching the emotion bubbling inside my chest. Dudes don’t do emotion. “I know. I’m glad you called Salve.”

“What’s the story?” he asks.

“Aubry told him there was a fight, she got a gun and shot them all.”

Liam’s brows hike up. “And Salve bought that?”

I clench my teeth against the pain radiating through my thigh. “Doubtful, but he didn’t question it—yet.”

“He’s a good man. You’re lucky he’s also a friend.” Liam pats my shoulder a little too firmly but I don’t mind because he’s here, talking to me, which means he won't hold a grudge forever. It means I still have a best friend.

“So are you,” I tell him as the paramedics drop the gurney legs and slide me inside.