Page 158 of Blake

Ignoring her obvious lie, Lucas crouched beside her. “What hurts?”

Her lips parted. She tried to answer, but her throat chose that moment to protest.

Lucas looked at her neck, and from the way his expression darkened, Devon assumed she was already bruising.

“Okay.” Lucas spoke with a gentle tone. “Don’t force yourself to talk.”

He carefully examined her face, then checked her pulse. “Any trouble breathing?”

Devon nodded slightly.

“Some,” she whispered.

Lucas glanced at Blake. “We need to get her evaluated.”

Blake’s jaw tightened. He looked toward Whitaker’s motionless body. Devon followed his gaze.

The man lay several feet away. Fresh blood darkened his shirt. His eyes were open, but they could no longer see.

She winced with a swallow before whispering, “He was going to kill me.”

Blake looked back at her.

“He wouldn’t stop.” A tear fell down her cheek.

His expression hardened. “He can’t hurt you anymore.”

Devon soaked in the truth of those words.

She looked toward Whitaker again. The man who’d orchestrated so much suffering was dead, but somehow, it didn’t feel like a victory. Not exactly, but the terror she’d carried since waking in that room began to loosen its grip.

She turned back to Blake. “Are the others okay?”

“Yeah, sweetheart.” His lips formed a small smile. “They’re all okay.”

Lucas spoke into his radio.

“Emmett, we’ve got Devon, and Whitaker’s down. But we need medical transport.”

A brief pause followed.

“How bad?”

Lucas looked her over again. “She’s conscious, but Whitaker was choking her out, and she’s having some trouble breathing. We need medical transport now.”

“Copy that,” Emmett replied. “Building’s secure. Draven and Gwen just finished clearing the last of the rooms.”

“And Whitaker’s men?” Lucas asked next.

“All down but one, and Lincoln’s got him in custody.”

Jethro’s deep voice came through next. “Perimeter secure. No additional threats.”

Lucas acknowledged him before turning his attention back to Devon. “Let’s get you out of these woods, yeah?”

Blake took her hand in his. “I’ve got you.”

He winked, and the fissures in her heart finally began to heal. Devon looked into his eyes. For so long, she’d believed the only way to survive was to keep everyone at a distance.