Jaycee was on the floor in a pool of blood.

“Possible DOA,” one of the SWAT officers said, using his chin to point to Jaycee.

Relieved beyond measure that Gigi was alive, Cameron sat next to her and put his arm around her.

Every muscle in her body stiffened.

“Baby…” He couldn’t speak or breathe. “It’s me, Cam. I’m here, and I love you. I love you so much.” He would be forever thankful that she’d survived whatever had happened.

Gigi trembled violently as he held her.

“We need to take your weapon, Detective Dominguez,” Jeannie said as one of the others called for the ME. That meant Jaycee was dead. All he felt was relief that she couldn’t hurt either of them ever again. If that made him a monster, then so be it.

“She… She said she was going to k-kill me…” Gigi said.

“You’re safe now,” Cameron said as he blinked back tears. “I’ve got you.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Dani came to the doorway with Gigi’s mother, who collapsed into hysterics when she saw the blood.

“She’s okay,” Dani said. “Look. She’s okay.”

Mrs. Dominguez’s wails seemed to shock Gigi out of the stupor she’d been in.

“Mama. I’m okay.” She held out a hand to her mother, who sat on the other side of her on the bed.

“We’ll need a statement, Detective,” Jeannie said, following the steps required in a situation like this.

“She needs medical treatment first,” Cameron replied. “Let’s get the EMTs up here to tend to her.”

Jeannie called for paramedics.

“I’m okay,” Gigi said, even though she was bleeding from multiple cuts on her face, neck and arms.

Cameron held her until the paramedics arrived. He kissed her cheek and got up so they could gain access to her. While they tended to her, he called Sam.

“Did you find her?”

“Yeah, she’s okay, but banged up. There was an altercation in her bedroom. She shot Jaycee, who’s DOA.”

“Oh God.”

“I think it was a close call, LT. She might’ve… She could’ve killed Gigi.”

“I can’t imagine what’s going through your mind right now but focus on whatever Gigi needs. Malone is back. I’ll ask him to come with me.”

“Jeannie’s here, too.”

“That’s good. It’s a clear case of self-defense, Cam. She did what was needed to stay alive. That’s how this will go.”

“I hope so.”

“Stay calm and be there for her. I’m on the way.”

When the line went dead, Cameron stashed his phone in his pocket.

Dani came over to him. “This is so fucked up.”

“She looks wrong in the eyes.”

“Probably will for a while. She’s never fired her weapon on the job.”

Cameron took a deep breath and released it slowly, the implications multiplying so rapidly, he barely had time to process one before another needed his attention. This was going to wreck her—and them.

And it was all his fault.

On the ride to Gigi’s place, Sam filled Captain Malone in on the latest with the fentanyl investigation. “Not only did Narcotics totally drop the ball on the weekly OD reports, but Cooper knew that two employees at the same restaurant had overdosed and didn’t sound any kind of alarm or investigate any further as far as I can tell. If he had, Spencer and the others who died recently might still be alive.”