Page 166 of Chasing Shelter

When Anson had said Dex was a good shot, he hadn’t been kidding. He’d managed to take down Helen Newbury with a clean shot through the neck. Anson had tried to keep her alive until the medics arrived, but there was no saving her.

I wanted to feel bad about that because I knew taking a life carried weight—and from what I could see, that weight was somehow more for Dex—but I couldn’t.

Anson stared out at his friend as Dex answered a phone call. “He didn’t have it easy growing up. This’ll stir that up.”

Just like it had for Kye. I couldn’t help but wonder what demons the two had in common. But before I could ask anything, Dex strode back inside.

All eyes went to him. There’d been a lot of gratitude for what he’d done, thanks that made Dex extremely uncomfortable. But there wasn’t a lot I could do to help him there. My family always let people know when they appreciated them.

“Got a call from a friend at the bureau,” Dex said, swinging his phone between his fingers. “Turns out Bradley and his friends were part of a little trafficking operation. Serving the wealthy in specific exotic locales. He’s going away for a lot longer than a week or two.”

“There’s Helen Newbury’s trigger,” Anson muttered.

Ellie’s gaze flew to me, but I was already moving. I dodged different family members until I reached the arm of the couch. Lowering myself to it, I bent and brushed my lips across hers.

She stared for a moment, her mouth hovering over mine. “I’m free.”

“You’re free,” I whispered. “To be wherever you want to be.”

Ellie pulled back a fraction, her hand lifting to my face. “With you. That’s always where I want to be.”

Relief flooded me. I hadn’t realized until that moment just how worried I’d been that Ellie would want to leave Sparrow Falls when the dust settled, feeling like it held too many painful memories. “Blaze.” I took her mouth again, deeper this time.

“Gross,” Keely complained, leaping from the couch. “Cooties.”

“Watch out,” Luca called from the dining room. “They’re gonna do it all the time now.”

Everyone laughed.

Linc leaned forward so he could see Ellie. “You’re really going to stay?”

She smiled at her brother. “My family’s here. Plus, I can’t miss seeing you covered in spit-up. And I plan to make a serious campaign for favorite aunt.”

“Hey!” Rhodes and Thea protested at the same time.

The front door opened, and Lolli swooped in, laden with bags, her whole form jangling with all the jewelry she wore. Dex frowned as he studied her. “Are those…light-up pot leaf earrings?”

Anson clapped him on the back. “Welcome to the Colson family.”

Lolli moved to the living room and set down all her bags. “You,” she said to Dex as her gaze roamed him. “You know I’m not usually one for the law-and-order types, but I’d climb you like a tree.”

Dex’s eyes widened, a little fear filling them. “Uhhhhh…”

Lolli pulled out a bedazzled tin decorated with mushrooms and rainbows. “These are a thank-you for saving my Ellie girl. She’s the most fun of all this lot, and I’d be lost without her.”

Some of my siblings let out sounds and words of protest, but Ellie just pushed in closer to me. “Lolli,” she whispered.

“It’s true,” Lolli said. “And I expect you to recover from those injuries quick so we can hit up the cowboy bar.”

Ellie laughed. “As soon as these ribs heal, I’m there.”

Lolli turned back to Dex, handing him the tin. “For you. My special brownie blend.”

As Dex took it, the entire room shouted, “NO!”

Nora handedme one of the pots she’d used to make some veggie chili especially for Ellie, and I systematically started drying it. Everyone else had left as Ellie dozed on the couch. Leah had come to pick up Keely so Ellie could sleep in, knowing she’d need the rest to fully recover. And she’d brought a bouquet of flowers and specialty tea that was supposed to be good for sore muscles.

Our family was becoming even more blended, and something about that had a sense of peace I’d never known settling into my bones. There was gratitude, too. For my siblings stepping up. For Lolli and her mischievous ways, which always brought a smile to Ellie’s lips. And for Nora, my mom.

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