Undercover Hero (3B Hero Series) Book 4

Nineteen

**** Carlyn stepped out of her brother's truck and hugged herself. She still couldn't believe what they'd told her. He'd been asking for her by name. She jumped as a gentle hand landed on her shoulder.

Her brothers smiled at her. "It's ok, sis. Kyle and I will be right there with you." Alex gave her his best movie star smile.

Kyle nodded, "Carlie, if you feel that you..."

She shook her head, "No. I have to do this." She pushed a purple lock behind her ear and let her big brothers lead the way.

***

Valentin lay there on the gurney as Rowdy rechecked the wound. "You're a very lucky young man. The blade didn't even nick an artery."

The Strike Agent smiled, "Sorry, sir. I can't hear you."

Rowdy nodded and signed everything he'd just said. Valentin wasn't surprised that the doctor knew sign language, so he answered in kind. It was at that moment that she showed up.

Carlie smiled at her uncle. "Rowdy, may I..."

He nodded, "They'll be takin' him out by chopper soon. He refuses to go without seein' you first."

She smiled, "Will he be..." She choked back a sob, "How bad?"

Rowdy smiled at her. Even he could see the bond that had formed between them. "Honestly, it could have been a lot worse. However, that doesn't mean that he's out of the woods. The blade had been used on another first. So there was some blood contamination. He'll be on some pretty strong IV antibiotics for a while. I've given him something for pain, so you had better see him before it takes affect. He'll be out of it once it does."

Carlyn nodded. Then taking a deep breath she walked up to the gurney. "Hi."

Valentin gave her a weak smile and lifted his hand to push her purple hair back. "Hey, yourself. Thank you for relaying the message."

She shook her head lower lip trembling, "No. You saved my sister's life. I should be th..."

She fell quiet as his finger fell across her lips. "Don't. It was the other way around. She reminded me of you. That's what kept me alive. I had to see you one last time."

With his words the tears finally fell. To the shock of all the onlookers Carlyn climbed onto the gurney and lay beside him. She wrapped an arm around his waist and lay her head on his right shoulder. When his arm pulled her close, she couldn't believe how safe she suddenly felt. The racking sobs finally came when he lay a soft kiss atop her head. She's only met this man twice and she was already his. With that thought she buried her face into his chest and cried.

Beau couldn't believe his eyes. His tough, 'cowgirls never cry' daughter was sobbing. Taking a step closer he was able to make out the words that were hidden within those heart rending sobs.

"Thank God, thank God."

***

Gabriel stood there in stunned disbelief. Was she really... He shook his head and forced himself to take the three steps to his sister's side. Brittany's heart was breaking as she watched her husband drop to his knees, next to his younger sister.

Gabriel looked down at her now peaceful face. She seemed to be looking right at him, right into his very soul. He would forever remember that look. Gently he placed his hand over her face and closed her violet eyes.

"Be at peace, Sadie." Even he heard the pain in his own voice.

Brittany couldn't take it another second. The agony she saw in him was tearing her apart. So she stepped up and wrapped her arms around his neck. Gabriel leaned into her embrace, but soon pulled away.

To her surprise he turned to face her, all the while pushing her bloody t-shirt up and away. The look that flashed in his eye said it all.

"Did Sadie do this?" He glared as the blood stained bandages. "Tany, did..." He shook his head, "We killed her to soon. A sudden death was to easy after what she did to you, and all those other girls. I should ha..."

She placed her hands on either side of his face and forced him to look at her. "Honey, it's over. I'm alright. Your baby is safe, our baby is safe."

His hand covered her belly with extreme tenderness. "Are you sure your..."

The Detective laughted, "Have you ever known me to lie?"

He shook his head, then looked down at his sister's body. "She was my sister, Tany. I want her to have a proper burial. I owe her that much."

Brittany smiled, "I know, babe. She'll get one. Daddy, will help make sure of it."

He shook his head, "I saw something change in her eyes before she fell. I..." He shook his head again.

Brittany nodded, "I saw it too. The craziness that has plagued her all these years faded from her eyes. She's at peace now, Gabriel. So are all her victoms. It's time to let her go."

He nodded, "Yes." Then he made his way to where the projector was, and pulled it off the wall. "True Wolf will be glad to know his distraction worked."

Brittany joined her husband in the study of the device, "Gabriel, is that what projected the wolf I saw?"

He nodded, "Yeah."

His wife shook her head, "Honey, that's just not possible. The wolf I saw met me two levels up, and lead me here."

Gabriel looked stunned, "No. It was a projection. True Wolf set it up himself. Here look at this..."

The Agent pushed the button that opened the player and froze. Both husband and wife looked into the player then to eachother then back again. The projector was empty.

Then they looked up as one when a mist slid it's way along the ground. In that mist stood a great white wolf, it's eyes glowing an azure blue. He seemed to study them for a long moment before lifting his muzzle to the sky and letting out a bone chilling howl. Then with the blink of an eye... he was gone.