“I don’t hate you now.”

He looked up, his eyes full of pain. He understood, and it was like a weight rolled off her shoulders. Unfortunately, it seemed to have rolled onto his. “I’m glad for that, at least. We’ll be all right, Mercy, you and I. We’ve come too far not to be. I’ll call you tomorrow, okay? I have to check in with my boss and see who they’ve assigned to find Burton. She won’t let me work on it, so I’ll take some leave to protect you.”

“You don’t have to—”

“I do,” he interrupted. “Let me do this. I didn’t keep you safe when you were twelve years old and that has haunted me for years. Let me protect you now. Please.”

She couldn’t resist his hoarse plea. “Thank you.”

“I’ll tell Rafe. He’ll keep you safe until I’m in the right headspace to do it myself. He’s a good cop, even if he’s got a bum leg right now.”

“He saved me tonight.”

A ghost of a smile curved his lips. “I owe him once again. He’s saved you twice now.”

Once from an armed serial killer and then again tonight.

“You saved me that night, too.” She stood, gripping her hands so tightly that they hurt. “So thank you.”

“We’ll be all right, Mercy,” he repeated, but this time with the warmth that she’d feared she’d lost forever.

And then he was gone, leaving her to sink back into the chair and cry.

SIX

GRANITE BAY, CALIFORNIA

SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 8:40 P.M.

Sasha and their dad came into the kitchen, expressions grim. Sasha slid into the seat that Mercy had vacated and slumped, arms crossed. “What’s going on with Gideon and Mercy?” she asked bluntly.

Karl began to set the table, nodding in agreement. “The tension between them was so thick we could have cut it with a knife. Speaking of knives, Sasha, please get the silverware.”

She complied instantly, springing into motion, her movements graceful and fluid.

Just like mine used to be, Rafe thought, then shook the thought from his mind. There were far more important concerns. “I’m not sure. Mercy came back to talk to him. I’m not sure what about.”

“All I know is that Gideon was a wreck the whole way over here,” Daisy offered. “He’s afraid to say the wrong thing, afraid he’ll drive her away again.” She glanced at Farrah, who sat very quietly. “Do you know?”

Farrah lifted one shoulder. “It’s hard to say with Mercy. She keeps her feelings pretty close to the vest.”

“Translated,” Sasha said, “she knows but Mercy trusts her not to blab.” She gave Farrah a look of respect. “Good on you.”

Daisy’s normally happy expression dimmed. “It’s a big responsibility to carry secrets like hers must be. Weighs on one’s shoulders.”

Rafe wondered whether Daisy was talking about Mercy’s secrets or Gideon’s. Both siblings had experienced horrors that no child ever should. He wasn’t sure he was ready to bear Gideon’s secrets, but Mercy’s? Yeah, he’d been ready since he’d first laid eyes on her.