His fingers slid over the silk of her arm. She was so perfect to him. When he thought of losing her, every muscle in his body tensed. Tucker didn't want to think of a life that didn't include Dawn.
"It's your fault this is happening to her." The voice came from the darkness near the foot of the bed.
"You knew it would happen," Jason said. Jason. That was Jason's voice. "Only a matter of time, for us both. The urge was always there. The violence-it's a rush, isn't it?"
No, it wasn't a fucking rush. And this wasn't happening.
"You won't believe what I've learned. I want to show it to you. Share it with you."
"Get...out..." Tucker growled. The sound of his own voice was off...odd.
"She's messing things up."
No, Dawn was making his life better.
"So it's time I killed her. Long past time..." And Jason lunged toward Dawn.
* * *
"NO!" TUCKER SHOUTED and he surged up, ready to fight and attack, ready to destroy. He jumped out of the bed and took a few frantic steps forward.
But Jason didn't wait at the foot of the bed. No monster was there.
Dawn turned on the light and the shadows vanished.
Sweat covered Tucker's body and his breath surged in and out, burning his lungs.
"Are you okay?" Her husky voice, pulling him back from the edge.
Tucker glanced at her, ashamed. "Bad dream."
She patted the bed beside her. "I've got a lot of experience with those."
So did he, unfortunately.
"Maybe we can help each other to have better dreams."
He slid back into the bed. She curled around him. Her hand went back to its place over his heart. "I should turn off the light," Tucker muttered.
"No, let's leave it on. Because of you, I've started to like the light."
He pressed a kiss to her cheek. "I wish so many times...that you'd never been hurt. I'm so fucking sorry. I let you down." He'd failed her. And wasn't that what his nightmares were about? Not keeping her safe? Not stopping the threat.
She slid even closer to him. "You didn't let me down, Tucker. You never have. You never will."
Her faith in him... God, did she have any clue just how much she owned his very soul? "Will you...will you come with me back to DC?" But even as he asked the question, he hesitated. "No, wait, I can transfer down here if you want to stay in New Orleans. I can join the local FBI branch and-"
"I think a new city would be good for us both." Her breath stirred lightly against his neck. "And I'm sure there will be plenty of cases that a good PI can solve in DC."
She was going to come with him. Hell, yes. His heart thundered in his chest.
"I want us to have a chance, Tucker. Me and you...the future that we used to talk about. I want to try for that."
He did, too. So much. He turned and put his hand under her chin, tipping her head back. "I would give you anything."
///
"I know."
He kissed her, carefully, tenderly. "I love you, Dawn."
His Dawn. He finally had her back in his arms, and he wasn't going to lose her again-not to a killer in the shadows, not to a monster in his mind. He'd fight for their future. He'd fight for their life.
And he'd fight for the happy ending that she deserved. No more pain.
Just hope.
EPILOGUE
Six months later...
"TUCKER... I NEED a word."
Tucker glanced up at Bowen, impatient. "My bride is about to walk down the aisle. This is not the time for a word."
But Bowen's face was serious. "There's something... Shit, no, you're right. This isn't the time. Never mind. I'll tell you when you get back from the honeymoon." Bowen turned away.
But Tucker snagged his arm. "What's happening?"
Bowen's mouth tightened. "They found him."
"Who?" He was lost.
"Jason Frost. His remains were found off the coast of Biloxi by some divers. There wasn't much left, not after all this time, but...he was positively identified this morning."
Jason Frost.
"I just... I got the call a few minutes ago and I thought you would want to know right away." But Bowen raked a hand over his face. "I should have waited. Shit. I have terrible timing. You know that. You-"
Tucker clapped his hand over Bowen's shoulder. "You're a good friend. And thank you." He eased out a breath and it just seemed...it seemed as if his shoulders felt lighter.
They found Jason.
He heard the wedding music begin to play. Music for him. Music for Dawn.
He took his place near the minister. Bowen followed at his side.