Page 102 of Waging War
I wrap my arms around myself, wishing for a warmth I don’t feel. “It’s the least I could do.”
The officers from the precinct had planned to bury the chief immediately once word of Diablo’s death spread around town. But I stormed my way to the newly instated chief’s office and demanded that Sasha give the man a proper burial.
It didn’t take much convincing. His family deserves this closure, and she knew that.
He tucks a finger under my chin, gently lifting my gaze toward his. “For what it’s worth, I’m proud of you.”
I tug him in tight, resting my head in the crook of his shoulder. “Thank you, Coop.”
Random pairs of eyes keep sliding my direction curiously, and I duck my head, avoiding the attention.
Cooper chuckles. “Looks like you’re a hero.”
Stepping out of his hold, I glance across the open hole where Chief Barron has been laid to rest and lock eyes with his wife.
I didn’t want to be a hero. I just wanted Diablo to pay.
I lost it once Ben’s blood was spilled, and when I should have thought twice, I sank my own bullets into Bruce instead.
She excuses herself from the small gathering around her and treks across the lawn.
“I’m sorry to interrupt. Are you Hazel?” she asks. She’s close enough that I can make out every worry line that scars her beautiful face.
It takes a moment to swallow the knot crushing my windpipe. “Yes, ma’am.”
A gasp rushes from my lungs when she wraps her arms around my neck and sobs. I turn panicked eyes on Cooper, but he’s already backpedaling to give us space.
I gently pat her back until she’s able to speak again.
“I want you to know that what you’ve done for my family and for our town…” She wipes beneath her eyes before placing her warm palms over my shoulders. “Thank you.”
My lips tremble. “You’re welcome.”
Mrs. Barron squeezes me one last time before heading back to her daughters. They wrap their arms around her before walking toward a black car that I hope is waiting to take them back home.
A home that is no longer whole, but one they can heal in together.
Birds sing and the sun is high and bright as a light breeze pulls at my hair. I tuck the strands behind my ear and turn to Jack, who’s now standing beside Cooper.
“Been one hell of a week, huh?” he jokes with a tight smile.
“You could say that again.”
Jack extends a hand to Cooper. “I can’t thank you and the Wolves enough for your help in taking down Diablo. We couldn’t have done it with you.”
Coop shakes his hand, giving him a curt nod. “How is he?”
My heart pounds fiercely beneath my ribs. We’ve been waiting to hear any news on Ben’s condition. Given the nature of the attack and his post-op recovery, the physician will only allow one family member to see him.
When I knelt beside him, desperately trying to find something to staunch the flow of blood from his abdomen, I thought it was over.
The Hazel and Ben show had reached the finale.
And what a miserable joke that felt like.
I remember gasping for air, terrified that after all that time of lying about how much I hated him, I’d never even told him the truth.
That I love him undeniably.
