Page 119 of Whispers in the Night

She stepped into the aisle, and Silas’s face transformed. Actually transformed. Like she was the only person in the world. Like this moment was everything he’d been waiting for.

Harper walked toward him, taking in the faces on either side. Morris grinning like an idiot. Holloway’s wife dabbing her eyes. Captain Holloway trying to look professional but clearly emotional. Carson and Nora from Blackridge—the couple who’d started this whole “Blackridge detectives finding love during cases” trend. Detective Holt. Officer Sutton’s replacement on patrol. Her new colleagues from Portland FBI. SAC Lauren Price, who’d taken a chance on her transfer request.

And there, in the third row, Detective Dax Mercer looking distinctly uncomfortable in his suit, arms crossed, expression suggesting he’d rather be literally anywhere else.

When Harper reached Silas, he took both her hands and whispered, “You’re beautiful.”

“You clean up pretty nice yourself,” she whispered back.

Holloway cleared his throat, a smile playing at his lips. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Harper Sinclair and Silas Kane in matrimony...”

Harper barely heard the standard ceremony words. Too focused on Silas. On the way he looked at her like she hung the moon. On the promises they were about to make.

When it came time for vows, Silas went first.

“Harper,” he said, his voice steady despite the emotion in his eyes, “a year ago, you walked into my crime scene and I thought you were the most arrogant, frustrating person I’d ever met.”

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

“But you were also brilliant. And brave. And so determined to catch a monster that you put yourself in danger without hesitation.” His hands tightened on hers. “You taught me that walls don’t protect you—they just keep you isolated. That letting someone in isn’t weakness. That love requires vulnerability, trust, and showing up every single day even when it’s terrifying. You saved me from a life of going through the motions. And I promise—for the rest of my life—to be worthy of the trust you’veplaced in me. To be your partner in everything. To choose you, always.”

Harper was crying before he finished.

“Silas,” she said when it was her turn, her voice wavering slightly, “you believed me when I said I was too broken for this. When I said everyone I love dies. When I said I didn’t deserve happiness. You didn’t accept any of it. You saw past the walls I’d built and refused to give up on me even when I gave up on myself.”

She paused, composing herself. “You taught me that understanding darkness doesn’t mean living in it. That I could hunt monsters and still come home to light. That choosing to let someone in is the bravest thing you can do. I love you. I choose you. Today and every day for the rest of our lives.”

“By the power vested in me by the state of Oregon,” Holloway said, his voice thick with emotion, “I now pronounce you husband and wife. Silas, you may kiss your bride.”

And he did. Thoroughly. To enthusiastic applause and a few wolf whistles from the Blackridge detective squad.

When they broke apart, both grinning, Holloway said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Kane.”

The reception was held in the same gardens, under a tent strung with lights. Dinner, dancing, toasts that made everyone laugh and cry.

Morris’s best man speech was predictably entertaining. “I’ve known Silas since he joined the department, and I’ve never seen him smile until Harper came along. Like, never. I was starting to think his face was permanently stuck in brooding detective mode. But she showed up and suddenly he’s leaving work on time and cooking dinner and being an actual human person instead of a workaholic robot. So thank you, Harper, for domesticating our favorite detective. Also, I lost twenty bucksbetting on when you two would finally admit you were together, so thanks for that,” he said with a playful glare.

Sarah’s maid-of-honor speech was more sentimental. “Harper is the strongest person I know. She survived trauma that would break most people and came out still fighting for justice, still caring about victims, still believing in good despite everything she’s seen. Silas, you better spend every day being worthy of her. Because if you mess this up, you’ll have the entire FBI and Blackridge PD to answer to.”

“Noted,” Silas said, raising his glass.

They danced their first dance to a song about finding home in another person. About safety and love and finally letting your guard down.

“This is perfect,” Harper whispered as they swayed together.

“Yeah. It really is.”

Later in the evening, Harper found herself at a table with Carson, Nora, and a very grumpy-looking Dax Mercer.

“Having fun?” she asked Dax, amused by his scowl.

“Weddings,” Dax muttered into his whiskey. “Are we making a habit of this? First Carson and Nora, now you two. What’s next, Holt’s going to find someone?”

“Maybe you’ll be next,” Nora teased.

Dax’s glare could have melted steel. “Not happening. I’m perfectly happy alone.”

“That’s what they all say,” Carson said with a knowing smile. “Then the right case comes along and suddenly—”