Chapter 124

Shirtless,Jake answered his door, gun in hand. At 3AM, he didn't know who he'd been expecting when his doorbell rang, but it wasn't Dana Gray, duffle bag in hand, tears in her eyes. He took one look at her and pulled her inside.

"I'm sorry I woke you," she sobbed into his chest.

"You didn't."

"You were right. I don't want to be alone."

Jake wrapped his arms tightly around her. "Tell me what you want."

"I want to forget." She looked up at him with those pleading brown eyes. "Can you make me forget?"

Words were no longer necessary. Jake picked her up and carried her to his bedroom.

In the newmorning light Jake stretched his taut muscles like a cat in a pool of sunshine. A smug smile carved his lips even in sleep as the memories from his night with Dana began to resurface in the stolen moments between dreams and waking. Each perfect memory knitting itself to the next to block out the pain. Against all odds, they had found salvation in each other; love amongst tragedy. Life amongst death.

Jake rolled over in bed, reaching out for Dana already craving more. When his hand met cold sheets, he awoke. Even before he was fully alert, he knew the truth. His feet had yet to touch the floor, and already he knew there would be no coffee brewing in the kitchen. No duffle bag in the living room. No Dana.

She was gone.

Grabbing only his phone and gun, he went looking anyway.