“Dad.” He nodded more to be polite than grateful his dad had shown up.
“Word is your girlfriend is a felon,” Dad said.
Mom hissed and turned to glare at Dad.
Trevor clenched his teeth.
“Ow!” Dad jerked and twisted away from the line of seats where Pearl sat.
“You hold your tongue, young man.” Pearl jabbed her finger at Dad. Most of the time Pearl was the most pleasant, sweetest woman, but Trevor recalled getting on her bad side. It hadn’t happened more than twice.
“You know the Psalms say that he who walks with integrity, works in righteousness also speaks truth?” Bunny drew herself up another inch or so, staring down her nose at Trevor’s father.
“I’m just repeating what I heard.” Dad slid his hands in his pockets, undeterred by the disproving stares of the two L.O.L.’s.
“Well you heard wrong, Dad.”
“I heard gunshots, didn’t I?” Dad stared at Trevor, as though he were to blame for every bad thing that happened in Ransom.
Trevor held out his hands and shrugged.
He couldn’t make his dad understand and there was nothing he could do to be good enough for him.
“I don’t want to do this right now, so if you could sit down and shut up, that would be great.” Trevor pivoted toward his mom, her face lined with worry.
“Don’t you open that mouth of yours, Bobby Walters.” Bunny kept her stare on Trevor’s dad. “I have held my tongue for years out of respect for what your daddy did, but I cannot abide by this hateful speech. You have lost the meaning of what it means to be a community. You take no responsibility for your own actions and you fail to acknowledge that the world is changing. Ransom is changing. It’s not Trevor’s fault. It’s not anyone’s. It's how the world works. Wake up and appreciate what you have before it’s gone.”
Trevor ducked his head.
He didn’t recall the last time anyone had used Dad’s first name.
Dad scowled and glanced at Mom.
“I’ll wait in the car,” he said.
“I can give your wife a ride home.” Bunny turned and gave Mrs. Walters a kind smile. “I think it would be nice to catch up. You aren’t needed here, Bobby.”
Trevor bit the inside of his cheek and watched his dad stalk out of the waiting room. It was a little satisfying to see him turned around like that.
“I’m going to go ask the new shift about Dina real quick, okay?”
He had to keep asking. Until someone told him something.
DINA WAS FAIRLY CERTAIN she’d never felt this bad. Not even when Dad held her down and Mom planted the iron on her arms as punishment. Her mouth was dry. Her toenails hurt. Her stomach was one big cramp. She was so weak holding her eyes open was too much of an effort. There were people around, she heard voices and beeps, but nothing made a lot of sense.
She’d long since realized that she hadn’t died. That would have been so much easier than living. Living was tough and it hurt.
A person stepped up close to the bed.
Dina turned her face toward them.
How long had she been out?
What happened?
Was her brother alive?
Trevor...?
“Oh, hey. Decided to come around, huh?” The nurse leaned on the bedrail. Her dazzling smile was so bright it hurt. “How are you feeling? Can I get you anything?”
Dina nodded, but her mouth wouldn’t work.
“Here, have an ice chip first. Your mouth is probably dry as a desert.”
The nurse assisted Dina with getting the ice in her mouth. Her limbs still weren’t working and just this much conversation was exhausting. Dina lay in bed, letting the ice melt in her mouth, while the nurse scurried away to do whatever else it was she needed to do. By the time the nurse returned Dina was ready for more ice, but there was one other need far more pressing.
“Trevor?” Her voice was raspy and the one word painful.
“What?” The nurse leaned closer and frowned.
“Trevor?” Dina repeated.
“Trevor?”
Dina nodded.
“Is that your friend? Family member?” the nurse asked.
Again, Dina nodded.
“Oh, I wasn’t told you had anyone here with you. Let me see if we can find you a Trevor.” The woman smiled then was gone again.
Dina stared at the ceiling, her mind still foggy.
Another cop had died last night. Heidi. A woman Dina had barely met. What if it was all too much and Trevor couldn’t forgive her? She couldn’t blame him. She came with a heaping ton of bad shit.
The minutes dragged on.
Her nurse bustled around.
Still no Trevor.
Dina’s heart ached and her eyes prickled.
She’d known getting close to him was a bad idea from the start, she just hadn’t realized it was because she’d learn to love him. Her first, true love.
“Dina?”
She blinked but her vision was blurry.
“Hey. Dina? Don’t cry,” that familiar, warm voice said.
He was here.
Trevor hadn’t left her.
TREVOR WAS GLAD WHEN the last person finally cleared out of Dina’s hospital room. Once they’d cleared up the issues about her security, the floodgates had been opened. There’d been a steady stream of his fellow officers, other L.O.L.’s, some people who’d met Dina as Kate over the years and then others who just wanted to show their support. Dina had spent most of the time asleep or dozing from the anesthesia, which was probably for the best.
He pulled the big recliner as close to Dina’s bed as he could get and reached through the bars to touch her hand. Her fingers uncurled, hooking in his.
“Hey,” she whispered.
“You should be asleep.” He hated seeing her in this bed. Dina needed to be free. That was who she was.
“You’re still here.”
“Yup. They brought me a pillow and everything.”
“You should go home.”
“And leave you by yourself? Not a chance.”
Her eyes finally opened, and she stared at him. “Are you mad at me?”
“No. Why would I be?”
Dina opened and closed her mouth, then lifted a shoulder.
“Heidi is okay. I told you that. If it was up to Mom, you’d keep the ring. Nothing that’s happened has been your fault. None of it, understand?” He squeezed her hand. She’d gotten the raw end of the deal so much of the time. She deserved better.
“I just—”
“If anyone should be angry, it’s you.” He stared at their joined hands.
“Dominick would have killed you,” she said.
“I didn’t have to shoot him twice.” Trevor had never killed anyone before. Ransom wasn’t that dangerous of a city. He’d always thought that if it came to that, he’d freeze or feel guilt. He hadn’t. Not yet.
“If he was breathing, he’d have tried to shoot you,” Dina said.
“Phillip is supposedly stable.”
Little Tony had shot Phillip before attacking the house. Casey had killed Little Tony in the driveway. A first for both of them.
“What happened with Rosie’s sisters?” Dina asked.
“They are in FBI custody, I think.” Not his problem.
“The FBI?”
“They didn’t seem terribly interested in talking to you. Maybe some general questions. If they really wanted to know something they’d have been here today.”
Dina nodded and relaxed a bit.
“You think you’ll go home after this?” Now that her brother wasn’t trying to kill her, would she want to go back to where she’d grown up? She’d said she loved him. He didn’t know if she remembered that or not, but he did.
“I thought you said you broke the door down?”
“That wasn’t the home I was talking about.”
“That’s the only home I have.” She frowned.
“I mean, do you think you’ll
stay in Ransom?”
“Do...you want me to?”
“I do.” He wrestled with the heavy emotional stuff. Her body needed to heal before they sorted out everything else, but—
“I meant what I said,” she whispered.
It was Trevor’s turn to stare at him.
“I love you. At least, I think I do. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. The idea of losing you—I...” Her eyes began to water and her mouth moved silently.
“Sh. Babe. Don’t.” He sat up and reached for her over the rail, cupping her cheek. He kissed her lips, keeping it gentle. “I love you, too.”
“Really?” She threaded her fingers through his hair.
“Really.” He smiled and his mind was made up. Dina was the woman he wanted to be with for the rest of his life. She’d never been a damsel in distress. She’d been a warrior woman with a thorn she couldn’t reach, and he’d helped her. Just like she helped him. It was the best kind of love he could ask for.
Epilogue.
Six Months later...
TREVOR GLANCED AROUND the practice field. It was his first op back with the team since joint task force. It felt good to be with the guys—and Jenna—again. He missed this, the adrenaline, being first through those doors. But they all had roles to play, and he was best served doing his day-to-day duties, keeping the streets of Ransom safe.
He grabbed his helmet off the tailgate and jogged toward the building. Jenna had ducked out as soon as practice was called. He needed to talk to her. Just the two of them. Which was growing harder to do what with the wedding inching ever closer.
The chilly February breeze sliced through his gear, almost freezing the sweat on his skin. He stepped into the building as the women’s locker room doors opened and Jenna stepped out wearing jeans and a hoodie.
“Hey,” he called out.
“Hey.” She glanced over her shoulder. “I’m on my way out.”
Shit.
“Can I walk you to your car?” he asked.
“Uh-ho.” She eyed him as he caught up to her. “Are you breaking up with Dina?”
“What?” Trevor frowned at her and they fell into step, making their way toward the front of the building.
“I just thought, it’s been—what? A couple months? Isn’t this when you normally break up with a girl?” She glanced up at him. “If you break up with Dina, fair warning, I’m going to be on her side in this. She’s too damn good for you.”
“I know that. You—wait. You really think I’m trying to—”
“I’m giving you a hard time.” Jenna stopped and peered up at him. “What’s up with you?”
Trevor glanced up and down the hall.
They were alone.
He and Dina needed each other. She was his anchor. His person. The one he couldn’t wait to see. Her texts still made his stomach tighten and Romeo was now his official call sign for how he’d smile whenever her name popped up.
“I need help getting intel,” he whispered.
“For?” Jenna drew the word out a few beats.
“You know.” He nodded at her hand as she pushed her hair out of her face. “Rings.”
“Shut up.” Jenna gasped.
“Sh.” Trevor glanced over his shoulder. “I thought, could you ask Elisabeth? Scarlett?”
“Are you serious?”
“No. I’m just curious about jewelry is all.” He glared at Jenna.
“Does your mom know?” Jenna whispered, her smile nearly splitting her face.
“I can’t tell her. She’d tell Dina.”
“What about your dad?”
“We’re still not speaking.” He shrugged. That relationship might never resolve itself, but he didn’t have to worry himself about that. Not since Mom had moved into an apartment off the highway outside of Ransom. He had Bunny to than for that.
“Leave this to me. I’ve got an idea.” Jenna backed away from him, wagging her finger.
Trevor hoped he’d trusted the right person with this. He needed to do this right because it would only happen once.
TWO MONTHS LATER...
Dina had never realized how busy small town life was until she was part of it. Not living on the fringes or occupying a home, but truly part of it.
It was all Elisabeth’s fault. Once Dina had admitted to the nature of what she did for a living Elisabeth had run with it and it wasn’t long before all the local kids knew who Dina was. Then they’d convinced Dina to coach the Coding Club. She’d expected to hate it and had dragged her feet for the first few weeks. But the kids were smart and dedicated. They reminded Dina a lot of herself when she’d had nothing but time and no one in her life.
“This is the last one.” Jenna nodded at the plastic crate.
“Promise?” Dina grabbed it by the sides and hefted it up off the ground.
April meant the local faire. Her only other experience with it was stocking up on food and keeping her doors locked. Man, had she missed out.
Main Street would be blocked for the whole week for food trucks and little craft booths. There were events every day. Most of the local businesses that could close were. The covered arena and barns on the south side of town were crawling with the kids and their animals for the upcoming shows that weekend.
She’d thought life in a small town would be slow and simple. It had its days, but more often than not, they were full. Of laughter. Of friends. Of love.
“There you are,” a familiar voice said.
She slid the last crate into the back of the waiting pickup then turned to face the man of her dreams.
“You off security duty already?” Dina slid her hands under his coat and around his waist. The nights were a touch chilly this week, but that would change soon.
“I am.”
“Does that mean I can go home and put my feet up now?” She sighed.
“And miss the fireworks?” Trevor gasped. “No way.”
Dina groaned.
“Hop on, I’ll carry you.” Trevor turned his back toward her.
“No.” She smacked his ass.
“Come on, I’m supposed to meet Alex by the bandstand.” Jenna waved them to follow her.
Dina fell into step with Trevor, their hands linked.
They walked the length of Main Street without speaking. Dina liked how she could be silent with Trevor and still feel their connection. Even after all these months, she still got butterflies thinking about him. He still flirted with her. It wasn’t just sex. It had never been just sex. It was everything.
A country western band was playing some soft music while people sat in lawn chairs and others swayed on the taped off dance floor.
Trevor took her hand and spun her under his arm.
“No.” She chuckled.
“Come on.” He tugged her toward the swaying couples.
“I can’t dance,” she said.
“Sure you can.” He grinned, and she was powerless to say no.
He wrapped one arm around her waist, took her free hand in his.
“Left first,” he whispered.
“You’re going to step on me again.” She peered down.
“No, look at me, not your feet.”
“Step and shuffle. It’s easy.”
“For you.”
Overhead a brilliant flash of red burst into a million twinkling bits. They stopped and tilted their heads up, taking in the fireworks. Only, Dina’s gaze drifted down to the man who owned her heart.
What would life be like if she’d pressed Rudy to relocate her? If she hadn’t stayed here?
He’d given her more than safety and a place to live. He’d given her love. Friends. Family. A place to belong. Things she’d never had before. She wished there was something she could give him besides paying half the bills. Something meaningful.
Trevor glanced down and caught her staring.
Blue and gold lights flashed behind him, kind of like the cascade of emotion going off inside of her.
He let go of her waist and
took a little step back, his face so serious.
Was something wrong?
“Trevor?”
He squeezed her hand in his, then went to the ground on one knee.
Dina froze.
She’d spent enough time around Scarlett regaling them with engagement stories that this pose, everything about it, was familiar. And yet, Dina had never expected this to happen to her.
Trevor reached into his pocket and pulled out a box. Dina’s knees buckled and her stomach tightened. She swayed and had to brace herself on his shoulder.
“Dina—”
“Yes,” she blurted.
“You don’t know the question yet.” He grinned. Or at least she thought that slash of white in her blurry vision was his grin.
“Marry me?” she asked.
“That’s supposed to be my line.”
She choked on a laugh and swiped her tears away.
“You were supposed to give me a signal,” Jenna yelled, exasperation in her voice.
“Dina?” Trevor held the engagement ring between his fingers. “Will you marry me?”
“Now?”
“It wouldn’t be legal if we did it right now, but if you want—”
“Put the ring on,” Scarlett cheered from the sidelines.
“She hasn’t said yes yet,” Trevor called out over his shoulder.
“Yes.” Dina laughed, and he slid the band on her finger.
This was her life now. Full, crazy and totally in love.
YOU CAN STAY UP TO date on all the Ransom, Texas team in Fighting Redemption. Want to explore more of this small town? Keep reading for a sneak peak of Give Me Back My Man (The Love Barn 1).
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Fighting Redemption
Texas SWAT 1
Tactical Medic Jena Martin has put her career as a combat medic behind her and thrown herself into working with the Ransom, Tx SWAT. But that comes with its own set of challenges. Namely, her brooding Team Leader, Alex Myers, the one man who shows zero interest in her, which is a shame. She could do with a pleasant distraction. Jena is certain someone has been in her home, moving her things and eating her food.
Stolen Redemption (Texas SWAT, #2) Page 27
