Page 92 of Baited

“Are you hurt?” He spoke carefully, pain heavy in his voice.

Her heart swelled. He didn’t know Hanna, yet that didn’t matter. What made Ethan the strong, capable man that he was, was the size of his heart. And he was hers.

A smile moved over Hanna’s face. “No, but I’d appreciate it if you’d get me out of these chains.” She lifted her wrist.

Ethan grinned and grabbed the chain in his fist. “Shouldn’t be a problem.” He pulled his gun out and lowered it to the joint in the cuff at her wrist.

Riley’s eyes widened. “Ah… Ethan, maybe we should just—”

He chuckled. “Have a little faith. Hanna, turn away and cover your face in case any small pieces come loose.” Hanna turned as far a she could, her arm stretched behind her in Ethan’s hold. “Back up, babe.” He directed to her.

Riley cringed, and covered her face with her hands. “I can’t watch this.” She turned her back to them, her shoulders hunched.

A gunshot split the air. Metal exploded, cracking her eardrums. She ducked and squeezed her eyes shut.

“All done,” Ethan called to her.

Riley turned around as Ethan tossed the chains into the corner and helped Hanna to her feet. The dark shadows that had hidden in the edges of Hanna’s eyes were gone. She smiled, and a bit of color returned to her face. Riley closed her arms around Hanna. Tears rolled over her cheeks and landed on her hair.

She was alive.

Hanna straightened away and rested her hands on Riley’s shoulders. “Thank you for not giving up on me, Rye. If it weren’t for you—”

“Don’t even think like that. The important thing is that you’re okay. Now let’s get out of here.” Riley blinked the tears away, but it was useless. They coursed down her cheeks in rivers. She wrapped her arm around Hanna’s shoulders.

Ethan moved close to her side, but didn’t interfere. When they got to the door, he held out his hand, stopping them from proceeding.

“Wait. Let me have a look first.” He disappeared out of the room. Murphy came around the corner of the closet and went straight for Hanna.

She choked out a laugh and knelt down. His big paws slapped against her chest and his tongue came out to lick her face. Riley’s heart warmed. Ethan entered the doorway and his lips quirkedup in a smile. The dark shadow that had shrouded his eyes had lifted, though his shoulders remained wide and tense—guarded.

“You have this guy to thank by the way. He kept scratching and whining at the back of the closet until I found the door. He’s a hero.” Ethan leaned forward to pat Murphy’s side. “All clear. Nate called Joe and they’ve just put Michael in the back of the cruiser.”

Hanna’s brow creased. “What about Murphy? We can’t just leave him here by himself.”

Ethan grimaced and rubbed the back of his neck. Riley’s stomach churned. She would take Murphy, there was no question about that—but what would happen between her and Ethan? Now that they had found Hanna, would he go back to Seattle?

She had nothing left for her in Boston. She’d been replaced at the gallery, but all of her belongings sat at her apartment. Uncertainty coiled inside her. They hadn’t made any definite plans.

Ethan met her gaze. His eyes blazed with heat and his hand reached for hers.

Riley moved against him and smiled at Hanna. “Don’t worry about Murphy, okay? I’ll make sure he’s safe and goes to a good home.”

Hanna gave her a weak smile. As much as Hanna had bonded with Murphy, she had a long road to recovery, and there was no telling how long that would take. Ethan pressed a kiss into Riley’s hair, and the three of them left the dingy, soundless room and stepped out into the sunshine.

Hanna stopped Riley as the paramedics rushed toward them. “Can I use your phone? I’d really like to call my mom.”

Ethan pulled his phone from his pocket and handed it to her. The paramedics wrapped a heavy blanket over her shoulders as she pressed the phone to her ear and let them lead her to theambulance. Riley’s stomach clenched. An attendant insisted on checking over her head, and Ethan let a paramedic clean his bullet wound, but he insisted he’d get the bullet out later.

An hour later, they’d given their statements and the police and emergency vehicles pulled away. Nate had already gone to the police station to interrogate Michael.

The late afternoon sun sat low in the sky. Ethan’s hand rested on her back and he led her to the porch steps. She sat down heavily and threaded her hand through her hair. God, she needed a shower. Ethan sat next to her, and the wooden step shifted beneath his weight. His thigh pressed against hers and his hand curled around her hip.

“We can swing by the hospital and see how Hanna is doing if you want.” Ethan leaned forward and the sun caught the cool blue hues in his eyes. Murphy lay next to her, his head in her lap.

“No, I want to give her space with her family. I’ll go see her later. But I want you to get your shoulder looked at as soon as possible.”

His bottom lip moved and he smiled. “Yes, ma’am.” His fingers left the bare skin on her upper thigh, and he scratched Murphy’s ears.

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