Parker cleared his throat, looking a little uncomfortable. “Well, then I’ll just say I’m happy to do it. And I’ll keep doing that job, starting with getting this processed.” He held up the bagged paper.

I reached out a hand to shake Parker’s. “Let us know what you hear.”

“Will do. Keep an eye out for this one, will you?”

I swallowed, my throat suddenly feeling like sandpaper. The last person I was supposed to look out for had taken her last breath in front of my eyes. “Will do.”

Parker headed for his SUV, and I turned back to Caelyn. “Are you okay?”

She looked so damn lost. When her gaze met mine, it was almost empty. “This is extremely unprofessional, but I could really use a hug right now.”

I didn’t think. I just moved. I wrapped Caelyn in my arms the way I’d wanted to from the moment I saw her staring down at that damn piece of paper. She was so tiny, her face burrowing into my chest as I held her tightly. But as small as Caelyn was, she seemed to curve to the harder planes of my body perfectly. How long had it been since I’d touched someone in this way? College, maybe?

God, that was a million years ago. But the absence of touch only made the feel of her heart beating against my flesh that much stronger; the warmth of her skin radiate that much brighter against mine. I held her tighter against me with only one thought reverberating in my mind.

I never wanted to let go.

14

Caelyn

I forced myself to release my hold on Griffin. It was the last thing I wanted to do. His sheer size alone made it feel as if he could shield me from the world. And his heat fought back the cold that had taken root in my bones.

I felt my cheeks warm as I stepped back. “Sorry about that. I just…” I didn’t have a clue how to finish that sentence. I was losing it. And I needed someone to hold me together for once.

Griffin gave my shoulder a squeeze, letting his fingers trail down my arm before they fell away. “You’re allowed to need someone, too.”

I swallowed against the sudden dryness in my throat. My eyes burned with the force of tears wanting to be set free. But if I let them loose now, I’d have a breakdown for sure. “Thank you. I, uh, better go get the kids. Thanks again for, um, everything.”

“Give me your keys.”

I blinked up at Griffin. “Why?”

He held out his hand. “You’re not driving right now. You’ve had a scare. I’ll take you to get the kids.”

“How are you going to get back to your truck?”

“I’ll take a cab or walk.”