“I could have lost you.” She squeezed his fingers. “You have to promise me you’ll never do anything like that again.

“Deal.”

She cupped his jaw. “I thought you were going to die tonight because I wouldn’t find you in time.”

“You found me.” He covered her hand with his. “I knew you would.”

“I’ve never been that scared in my life.”

“You are a damned good cop, Detective Dane.” Mac took her hand and held it over his heart. Her grip was warm and solid. “I never doubted you for a second. I knew you’d never give up on me or Gianna. You are solid and smart, stubborn and sexy, dedicated and compassionate. You are the whole package.”

Stella rested her forehead against his chest as dawn brightened the horizon. A shudder passed through her. When she lifted her face, her eyes shone with tears. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” He kissed her. She tasted of rainwater and hope. “I’m done with being reckless. No more risks for me. I have too much to lose.”

Stella balanced her laptop on her knees in the plastic hospital chair. In the bed next to her, Gianna was a slip of pale skin and bones. Her eyes were closed, and thick blankets were drawn up to her chin. One arm protruded, and an IV line snaked from her forearm to a small bag of liquid.

A knock sounded on the doorway.

“Come in,” Stella said softly.

Mac walked into the room. A splint immobilized his injured hand. His eyes locked on hers, the intensity in his gaze filling her with warmth.

He eased into the plastic chair next to her “How is she?”

“She’s going to be OK. They warmed her up and gave her a dialysis treatment. She’s sleeping it off.”

He lifted her chin with a fingertip. “You look exhausted.”

“I don’t want her to wake up alone, not after what she went through.”

“What are you doing?”

“Reports.” Stella closed her laptop.

“We wouldn’t want your paperwork to be late,” he teased.

“I like to get the facts down while their fresh in my head.” She stretched her arms over her head. Stiffness gripped her back muscles.

‘“What happened to Josh?”

“Treated for a broken nose and arm at the ER.” She checked her phone screen. “He’s being processed at the jail.”

“I wanted to kill him.”

“I know.” She took his hand. “I’m glad you didn’t. Not because I would have thought less of you. Josh deserves to die for what he’s done. But I wouldn’t want you to bear that load for the rest of your life. You’ve carried too much guilt for too long. You are a good man. It’s time you saw that in yourself.”