Shane was part of the investigation into what had happened and had been spending most of his time on scene at the school, seeing what evidence they could uncover from the burnt ruins of the gym. He’d also had to explain exactly what had gone down to ASAC Sloan and the other higher ups. The task force commander had come to see Yael late last night and had held her hand for a little while and thanked her for what she’d done.

“Hey there.” Yael couldn’t quite quell the quiver in her voice as she tried to play it cool.

Shane leaned down to kiss her, his hand cupping the back of her head as he took it deeper, kissing her until she trembled with emotion.

“How are you feeling?” he asked, pulling away but keeping hold of her hand.

“Good. Better than yesterday. Did I thank you for saving me again yet today?”

Shane shook his head. “I didn’t save you.”

“Well, you saved me,” Laura said with what sounded close to a laugh.

“How are you feeling, Laura?” Shane asked the other woman.

“A little less fragile than yesterday.”

“Good to hear,” said Shane.

“Time for a CT scan,” the nurse announced.

They both watched as the nurse made Laura climb, complaining, into a wheelchair to go upstairs.

“We won’t be long,” Laura joked. “Better make it snappy. I’ll warn the bodyguards not to interrupt.”

“You’re incorrigible.” Yael laughed and ignored the heat she could feel spreading up her neck.

Shane smirked. “You look cute when you’re embarrassed.”

“She always looks cute,” Laura exclaimed as the doors closed.

Yael rolled her eyes.

“Laura seems a little better.”

“She does.”

“Did she say anything about her ordeal?”

“That she was grateful you turned up when you did, and that they didn’t have sex and I think that also means he didn’t rape her, which is something.”

Shane nodded. “It’s a lot.”

Yael shifted and winced.

Shane frowned. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

She nodded. “Just healing from a bullet wound. I’ll be fine.”

One side of his mouth curled up in a focused grin. “Badass.” He picked up her hand and kissed the tattoo on the inside of her wrist.

A shiver ran over her shoulders and down her spine.

“I am planning to give you a few shooting lessons though. So next time you can maybe pull the trigger with your eyes open.”

She blew out a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologizing.”

“It’s difficult after so many years of insurmountable guilt,” she admitted, needing to be completely honest with him. “I have spent a lifetime alternating between apologizing to people or pushing them away so I didn’t get hurt by their reaction when they finally discovered the truth.” She turned her head toward the window. “It’s why it hurt so much when you told me you’d doubted me.”