Page 58 of Colton’s Secret Identity

“Yes.” Cal nodded. “The bullet appears to be a match to the weapon Rex’s bodyguard, Bulldog, carried at the time of his apprehension. We’ll have to wait on the lab for the official ballistics report, of course.”

“‘Bulldog’ isn’t his given name, either.” Chief Brady’s quip elicited another round of chuckles. She was on a roll this morning, and Dylan couldn’t blame her. They’d accomplished a huge win for justice.

The meeting ended after an hour, and the LEOs scrambled to get back home and rest up for their next assignment.

Dylan remained in his seat, ruminating. If only he’d had the balls to tell Veronica how much she meant to him well before the takedown, maybe there would have been a chance for them. But he knew her, so well. Veronica would never accept an “I love you” from him, not at this point. She’d see it as pity and a true declaration of his heart.

Which left Dylan to deal with the cold, hard truth.

He’d fallen for Veronica a long time ago, and had been given a second chance to make things right between them. This op had given him plenty of opportunity to see that he could continue his law enforcement career, but not in California. Here, in North Dakota. Working alongside his brothers. Seeing his family more.

Being with Veronica.

But he’d blown it.

“Dylan?” Cal slipped into the seat next to him, reached for the coffee carafe and poured himself another cup, adding a bit to Dylan’s barely touched mug.

Dylan looked at his brother, saw the patient concern in his gaze. The room was empty save for them and several leftover bagels. “You need to talk?”

“No.” He wouldn’t know how to begin to express the multilayered angst that lived under his rib cage.

“Veronica’s absolutely fine, bro. Sore, a little groggy and with a hell of a shiner on both eyes, but she’ll be fine. You need to go see her for yourself.”

Dylan shook his head. “I can’t, Cal. Thanks for letting me know she’s okay, though.”

“Want to tell me why you won’t go see her?” Cal wasn’t budging, damn him.

Dylan fought to not scream his frustration at Cal, to release some of his pent-up grief at having lost the love of his life. Not to death, but to his own stubborn stupidity.

He raised his gaze from his coffee, looked at Cal.

“I won’t go see her because she needs to heal, to get past this. Veronica deserves more than I can give her.”

Chapter 26

Two weeks later

Dylan saw his father standing in the garage as he walked up the driveway, having parked his car on the street. Dad was filling a cooler with sodas. A Colton family Halloween party was about to begin, reminiscent of times gone by, before Mom and Dad divorced.

“I assume there’s another cooler with beer?” He smiled and greeted his father. Fought against the memory of the last time he’d seen his dad in person, when Veronica had been here with him.

“Son.” Jonathon Colton hugged Dylan, and Dylan hugged his dad back, tightly. One positive outcome of the takedown was that he appreciated his family more than ever. “How are you?”

“I’m good, Dad. Better than ever, in fact.” If his insides were quaking at what he’d decided after a couple of weeks of deep self-introspection, so be it.

“What gives, son?” A keen gaze, the eyes that Jonathon used on the daily to save lives in trauma surgery, lasered in on Dylan.

“I’ve decided that I want to stay in law enforcement, but more locally. In North Dakota, at any rate. I want to be closer to the family.”

“Fantastic news!” Jonathon slapped him on the back. “You know your mother and I support whatever you want to do, but having you back home means the world to us.” His father beamed. Dylan stared at him. Had he just said “us” instead of “me”? Odd. Since the divorce, his parents, while never disparaging the other in front of any of their children, had taken great pains to establish firm boundaries that affirmed their individuality. There hadn’t been an “us” or “we” in the better part of a decade.

“Thanks, Dad. I’m happy about it, too.”

“Since you mentioned law enforcement, maybe you can help me with something. I’m concerned about your sister Kelly. Did you know she’s been receiving threats?” Jonathon’s face creased with worry. “I’ve already lined up a bodyguard for her, but I’d like your input on other steps I can take.”

“Of course, Dad. Yeah, Cal mentioned the threats to me yesterday.” When he’d had a heart-to-heart with Cal, and told him of his plans to tell Veronica all that had been on his heart. To tell her “I love you,” with no expectations of reciprocation. Because he’d decided to live his life with no more regrets.

“What do you think about her sharing her location at all times, via her phone, with the family, or at least you, Cal and Wyatt?” Jonathon listed the siblings in law enforcement.