It was late, almost two in the morning, and Gabby had to be exhausted, but she was refusing to leave until Kane got home.

She curled up next to me on the couch and we pulled a blanket over our laps. Her head rested on my shoulder, and I was so damn thankful she’d rushed over to keep me company. I would have lost it without her here.

“You can stay here, you know.”

“I might.” She yawned, and I rested my head on hers. “I need to text Joey. He’ll worry if I don’t reset the alarm.”

She leaned forward, sent Joey a text and when she came back, we snuggled up next to each other again.

Warm breath skated across my cheek, followed by soft, full lips and a spicy scent I knew so well. My eyes opened slowly, and I jumped as I took in Kane, hovering over me.

“You’re home,” I whispered, eyes widening with surprise.

He glanced to my side.

Gabby was still resting on my shoulder, lips parted as she slept.

“I’m home. Should we wake her?”

I nudged my shoulder, but she didn’t make a sound. “Let her sleep.” I stood from the couch slowly, grabbing a pillow and settling it on the cushion as Gabby fell to her side. She grabbed the blanket we’d covered ourselves with, muttered something in her sleep, and went quiet.

“That was easy,” Kane whispered and took my hand. “I missed you.”

I flung myself at him. I might have been half asleep, half terrified out of my mind all night, but he was here.

He grunted like I hurt him, and I pulled back. “I’m sorry. So sorry. Did I hurt you?”

“Only a bit. It’s fine. Come on.” He took my hand and tugged me toward the stairs. “I didn’t sleep a second on the damn plane, worried about you.”

“Me? I was worried about you. You were the one who was shot.”

“Ten stitches in my bicep, I’ll be fine.” He had a T-shirt on and lifted the sleeve so I could see the wrapping and tears filled my eyes all over again.

“I’m so sorry I dragged you into this mess. I’m so sorry I got you hurt, and you had to deal with all this.” Tears burned my eyes again. They felt like sandpaper for as much as I’d cried that night.

“Come here.” Kane palmed the back of my head and brought me to him until my forehead collapsed against his chest. Gently and more carefully this time, I wrapped my arms around his lower back. He walked us slowly toward his room, guiding me carefully. “I told you on the phone this wasn’t your fault. All the blame lays with Lincoln and whatever problems he’s into.”

From the little Kane said on the phone, that was a lot of problems.

He finally loosened his hold on me when we reached his bedroom but kept a hold of my hand, pulling me toward the bathroom. “It’s late. I’m exhausted, and I need to sleep. We’ll talk about the rest in the morning, okay?”