JT was relieved when it was his turn to be interviewed. His attorney was not available to be physically present for the interview, but Raptor was a haven of technology, and the man was present via secure video feed.
Twenty minutes later, he was done, and the officers left the compound. JT found Alexandra as she sat with Anna and Raul in the larger conference room. She rose to her feet, looking weary but not wary.
He pulled her into his arms, kissed her temple, and asked, “You okay?”
He felt her nod as she held him tight. After a long interval, her grip loosened, and she stepped back. “It was intense, but not awful. Lots of suspicious looks. But I’m not in handcuffs.”
Anna and Raul were both on their feet, packing up computers and briefcases. “I’m certain they’ll follow up—several times. Do not speak to them without me.”
Lex nodded.
“This would be a lot easier for them if you’re complicit. If they can find a vendetta against Officer Williams after he failed to inform the prosecutor sixteen years ago, then Williams’s assault would have a different context.”
“I didn’t even remember his name.”
“And you’re convincing on that point. I just want to warn you, that’s where they’ll start.”
“Instead of looking for the actual shooter,” JT said.
“Well, they’re hoping to find that by investigating Alexandra.”
JT nodded. He didn’t like it, but it made sense. And odds were, the shooter was connected to Lex. And probably him.
“Thanks, Anna. Raul.” JT shook each of their hands in turn. “We really appreciate your coming here today.”
Anna smiled. “And now we will clock out and let you enjoy your holiday.”
They left the conference room, and Lex reached for his hand, entwining her fingers with his. “Where’s the common room? I really, really need to hug my girl.”
“This way,” he said, tugging her toward the open door. “She, Grace, and Colin are pretty damn adorable together.”
“I haven’t met Colin yet—Curt’s son, right?”
“Yeah. He’s ten months older than Gemma.”
“That would make him ten months younger than Grace. Right in the middle. I was really looking forward to this—seeing Curt again and introducing our kids on Christmas at Erica and Lee’s. Hard to believe it’s actually happening after all.”
She stopped short, her hand in his bringing him to a halt. “I never dared to dream you would be part of this Christmas. As terrifying as this all is, it’s also incredible. Thank you.”
He brushed her hair back, tucking it behind her ear. He’d loved this woman for sixteen years to the day. He’d woken up that Christmas morning after they’d made love for the first time the night before and known he was a goner. He hadn’t said the words, but he’d known it was true.
That morning, he gave her jewelry for the first time. Gems which she later used to pay for the treatment that gave her Gemma.
And now it was Gemma who brought them back together.
“I want to marry you.” The words escaped even though he knew he should hold them back. She had no reason to trust he’d really changed. “I want to protect you. Love you. Be Gemma’s dad. I want the dream I destroyed for both of us. I want to be your family and for you and Gemma to be mine. I love you. I never stopped—the person I stopped loving was me, but I took it out on you.”
He shook his head. Here he was, talking about himself when he should be asking what she wanted. “I—”
She placed a finger on his lips. “I know. I knew that then. It’s why I tried as long as I did. I hoped to figure out how to get you to love yourself again. But it turned out that was something you had to do on your own.”
She rose on her toes and kissed him. Her kiss was soft and deep and somehow different. Her lips trailed along his cheek as she whispered, “I see in you now both the man you once were—the one I fell hopelessly in love with—and the man you have become, a person who owns his mistakes and loves with his whole heart. I love this new JT even more than the man who swept me off my feet sixteen years ago. You’re the only person I’ve ever wanted to marry. To share my life with. The only man I’ve ever wanted to be the father of my child. And so now, I’m asking, will you marry me and be Gemma’s dad?”
He cupped the back of her head and pulled her in for a deep kiss as his heart pounded and his brain practically exploded with joy. He raised his head, “New Year’s Eve ceremony?”
She grinned and nodded. “I’d say tonight, but we need a license.”
“A week will give us time to do it right. We can get married right after the closing. I’ve even got a venue booked. Forget the T&D executives, although they can stay for the ceremony if they want. We’ll invite friends. Make sure the people we care about most can be there.” He nodded toward the door that led to the living quarters within the compound, and the great room where everyone who wasn’t involved in meal prep was currently gathered. “My people are all in there. Will your parents be able to attend?”
“I’m not sure. They both have dementia and are in and out of lucidity. But I’ll see what their caretakers think.”
“Anyone else?”
“Kendall’s sister, Tanya, I guess. A few colleagues at the university. But really, I’d be content with just the people who are here at Raptor today.”