Page 44 of Blake

His entire body fought the decision to stay. Every instinct he possessed screamed at him to continue the chase. But he didn’t know if the man was alone or if others waited in the wings to take over where he’d left off.

I can’t leave her.

Decision made, he turned around and ran back into the apartment. The first thing he did was retrieve his discarded gun. And then⁠—

“Devon!” Blake took off down the hall. He didn’t stop until he was standing at her bathroom door. “It’s okay. It’s me.”

She opened the door and glanced around.

“He’s gone,” he assured her.

For now.

The second she heard those words, she threw herself into his arms. “Are you okay? I heard the shot, and I was so scared you’d been hurt.”

“I’m fine.” Blake held her close, squeezing his eyes shut and praying he could somehow ease her trembling. “He’s gone,” he repeated.

She pulled back and noticed the blood darkening the knuckles of his right hand.

“You are hurt.”

“It’s nothing.” He holstered his weapon. “Just a couple of scratches.”

His knuckles stung from being split open. His ribs hurt, and his jaw was going to look interesting tomorrow.

But it could have been worse.

Much worse.

Devon could have been home alone when the asshole broke in.

He started to reach for her but stopped himself when he thought better of it.

“Are you okay?”

She nodded. Almost immediately after, she shook her head.

“I don’t know.”

That was fair.

Blake took a step back with a rumbled, “Stay here.”

“No.”

“Dev—”

“No.” Her voice shook.

She doesn’t want to be left alone.

“Okay.”

Relief flashed through her eyes as he pulled his gun from the holster once more. He checked it and began moving through the apartment with Devon right on his heels.

It was clean, and a quick check of the hallway confirmed they were in the clear. For now, anyway. But later⁠—

“Do you think it was Billy?”