Page 70 of Raven

“Jesus,” Gage muttered, cuffing the bastard. “You good?”

“I’m better now.”

Tag gave me a nod. “Bea’s gonna want to know.”

* * *

Ten minutes later,I stepped back into Room 312.

Beatrice was still sitting between the kids, Mandy curled up at her feet. She looked up, heart in her eyes.

“You found him?” she asked, carefully getting up.

I nodded. “He was watching from the back lot. He’s done now.”

Beatrice sagged in relief, then stepped into me, arms sliding around my waist. “Thank you.”

I held her close, resting my cheek against her hair.

34

Raven

The sun hadn’t quite risenwhen we left the hospital.

The sky was still bruised gray, the air quiet in that strange, still hour between night and morning. Beatrice walked beside me, her steps slow, heavy with everything she’d carried tonight—physically and emotionally.

I didn’t rush her.

I just kept close, her hand in mine, Mandy trailing behind us.

She didn’t say a word until we were in the truck.

“They’re safe now,” she murmured, looking out the passenger window. Her voice was hoarse. “Safe.”

I reached over and laced my fingers through hers. “Yeah, they are. Because of you.”

She turned to me, eyes full of something I couldn’t name—relief, heartbreak, exhaustion. Love.

I lifted her hand to my lips and kissed her knuckles. “Let’s go home.”

* * *

We didn’t play music.Didn’t talk much. It was a nice, peaceful drive.

Beatrice leaned her head against the window, eyes half-closed. I watched her in the soft morning light—the curve of her cheek, the way her messy braid had all but unraveled, how soot still clung to her skin even after the hospital washroom cleanup.

She looked worn out.

And I’d never seen anyone more beautiful.

When we pulled into the driveway, I turned off the truck but didn’t move right away.

She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. “I don’t want to sleep yet. Not just yet.”

“You don’t have to. Come inside. Just rest.”

She nodded and let me help her out. Mandy trotted ahead, tail swishing tiredly.

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