Page 78 of Betrayal In Calusa Cove
“Let me check you over.” He stepped away, brushing her hair aside, and did a quick check for bullets, cuts, and other damage. Thankfully, there were none. At least, none on the outside. But he knew it would be a while before Bailey recovered emotionally from this.
He cupped her face and kissed her gingerly. “You’re okay. We’re okay. It’s over.”
“It’s not over for Todd and Chadd,” she whispered. “It’s only just begun for them.” She blinked away a few more tears. “How do I explain all of this to them?”
“Carefully and lovingly.”
The ground under his feet moved. He glanced over his shoulder. Dawson and Bingo made their way across the yard.
Baily was out of his arms in a flash, making a beeline for Bingo.
“Are you okay?” She rushed to Bingo’s side.
“I’m fine,” he said, giving her a big bear hug. “No worse for wear.”
“I’m so sorry.” She gripped the boy’s shoulders.
“It’s not your fault, and in a weird way, it was good practice for me if I’m going to be a SEAL.” Bingo smiled. The kid actually smiled. “And I got to work alongside the men I admire. It was kind of cool even if I was really scared for a minute.”
Dawson chuckled. “I was terrified for longer than that.”
“Fear will keep you alive out there.” Fletcher slapped Bingo on the shoulder. “You’ll make a good sailor and a great SEAL.”
“I hope so.” Bingo nodded. “Four years of college first. That’s the deal I made with the old man.”
“ROTC’s not a bad route to take.” Fletcher gave the kid a bro hug.
“I don’t think I can stay in that house tonight,” Baily said after a beat.
“Audra and I have a room at the B&B. You and Fletcher are welcome to stay with us.” Dawson glanced over his shoulder. “I better get back there. It’s going to be a long night of dealing with this shit show. Feds, and all that. Not to mention, Valenia took a bullet. Might not make it, I’m told. Julie and Damen are bitching about all sorts of bad police work on this, but I’m not worried. They’re going away for a very long time.” He sighed. “I do need to take your statements, but we can do that in the morning.”
“We’ll be by at first light.” Fletcher took Baily by the hand and tugged her toward the parking lot. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.” In silence, they walked around the side of the house. He paused by his truck and pulled her into his arms. “I love you, Baily. Whatever happens next, we’re in it together. No more secrets. No more betrayals. It’s all out there, and we can weather any storm because we have each other.”
“I think I actually believe that.” She rested her head against his shoulder. “I just hope after everything, the courts will see we can make a good home for those boys because I’m worried Julie will fight that. We’ve learned that even convicted felons have rights regarding where their children are placed. They have other family members. Blood relatives on her side. It’s not a done deal that we’ll get the kids.”
“No. It’s not.” Fletcher tilted her chin. “But we have something that most of her family doesn’t.”
“What’s that?”
“A loving home in Calusa Cove.”
Chapter 20
A month later…
The sun had begun to dip behind the mangroves, casting a golden hue over Calusa Cove that shimmered off the water and set the marina aglow. Twinkle lights strung between the pilings and porch railings sparkled like fireflies, and laughter carried across the dock where a small, mismatched group had gathered to celebrate something that had once felt like an impossible dream.
Her wedding.
Baily stood barefoot on the dock, holding a paper plate with a melting scoop of vanilla ice cream and a half-eaten cupcake, and watched as Chad and Todd darted between rows of chairs, laughing like they’d been here all their lives.
They hadn’t.
It had only been a month. A single month since the night everything had shattered and then they’d begun to rebuild.
Valenia Barbaro was dead. Shot during the standoff, she’d bled out before EMTs could even try to save her. Julie and Damen were behind bars without bail, facing a slew of charges that included conspiracy, extortion, kidnapping, and a laundry list of federal offenses. The town of Calusa Cove, though scarred, had found its footing again. Just like she had.
She glanced across the dock. Fletcher was talking with Hayes and Dawson, drink in hand, grinning as he said something that made them all laugh. The ring on her finger still felt surreal. Heavy in the best way. Symbolic of everything they’d been through, of everything they were building now—together.
