Marcus shrugged. “For whatever reason, she fell for it. And when Tripp got sick instead of Alisha without any serious repercussions, she didn’t think anything of trying it a second time. Only the dose must have been higher, and it backfired. When she told Vincent she wasn’t interested in helping him anymore, he turned mean.”

“Who messed with Xavier’s belt?” Anders asked.

“That one we have to wait to confirm. Vincent has lawyered up, although Lana insists it had to be him or someone working for him. When he threatened her, she gave him a key to the Lifeline building.” Marcus paced, dragging his hand through his dark hair as he’d obviously done a lot in the past hours, if the mess was any indication. “Speaking of which, I’m getting the locks changed and a new security system put in, and if any of you say something about locking the barn after the cows escape, I’ll scream.”

Tripp snorted. “Not the first analogy that popped into my mind.”

“You didn’t grow up on a farm like Becki.”

There was one question still bothering him. “Did anyone mention how I got from Vincent’s room to the car?” Devon asked.

“Easier than you think. After Lana knocked you out, she and Vincent manhandled you onto the luggage cart and took the elevator to the basement parking garage.” Marcus grimaced. “I’m sorry this happened. You shouldn’t have to worry about your teammates being a danger, and I was the one who hired Lana. If any of you want to leave the team, let me know. I’ll do everything I can to get you settled with a new SAR somewhere you feel more comfortable.”

Devon barely had time to register shock at Marcus’s suggestion when he was hit even harder as Alisha spoke, her usually firm voice whisper-soft.

“You didn’t do anything wrong, Marcus.” Alisha cleared her throat. “Lana screwed up, not you. And . . . it was my fault in the first place. Vincent was here because of me, and I should have done something sooner to stop him. I’m the only one who needs to apologize. If anyone feels uncomfortable with me staying on Lifeline, let me know. I’ll understand and give notice.”

Devon wasn’t the only one to make scoffing noises, but he was the first to speak. “Bullshit on you quitting the team. You said it—Lana was in the wrong. Vincent was wrong. You’re not taking the blame for their stupidity.”

Alisha pointed to the rules painted on the wall. “This is a place we need to trust each other one hundred percent. What we do to save lives puts ours on the line every single time, and if we can’t trust the entire team, that’s not going to work.”

“I trust you.” Devon spoke clearly, catching her by the chin and forcing her to look at him even as he gestured to the others. “They trust you. This doesn’t change that one bit. Am I right, guys?” He raised the question to the rest of the team.

A chorus of voices echoed his words as Erin, Tripp, and Anders all gave her their support. She swallowed hard, her eyes brightening with moisture.

“Enough talk about quitting, got it? You’re stuck on Lifeline for a good, long time.”

He didn’t look away until she nodded.

“I’m not done with you,” he whispered, stroking a thumb over her jaw as colour rose in her cheeks. “Give me a minute.”

Devon let her go and stood, stepping toward Marcus, his injury forgotten in his need to slap down the bullshit. Of all the conversations they could have had, this one had been the least expected. Like hell was he going to let the second-best part of his life vanish because of guilt.

He’d dealt with enough guilt over the years. No way was he letting this one pass.

“We all trust you. You did what you had to do. Instead of cutting off someone too soon who might have become a valuable part of the team, you gave Lana a chance. I haven’t always gone by all the rules, but I’d give my life for any of the team. I know they’d do the same for me. Lana chose a different route and it cost her. It’s not on you.”

Marcus lifted his chin slightly.

Devon wasn’t finished. “Being a part of Lifeline is a huge privilege, and there’s no way I want to give it up. I don’t want you to feel you’ve let any of us down, either, and I know damn well I’m speaking for Xavier as well. He trusted all of us and gave one hundred percent, all the time. He’s going to get better because of that attitude, and you were the one who beat that attitude into us.”

Marcus paced away for a moment, his broad shoulders straightening as he returned to the gathering. He cleared his throat, then nodded at Devon. “Thank you.”

Devon took his seat on the couch. Alisha curled her warm fingers around his arm and squeezed him tight. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

At the head of the room, Marcus had regained his control. “We’re taking a week off. Devon, the medical reports on you look as if you had a fucking guardian angel. If you get doctor’s approval, rejoin training. We’ll take a look then and figure out when you’re ready for active duty. In the meantime I’ve got three people coming in to try out for the position of paramedic. We’ll work with them during training time, and either bring support onboard or only take calls we can do with limited medical on the scene. Becki has volunteered to join us until Devon is back on full roster.”

There was a lot of nodding of heads as they processed the information. The meeting finished up shortly after that. Suggestions were made for activities on the days off, and a few random hugs and pats on the back given from the guys before Alisha ushered Devon to the car and took him home.

For all the planning and details they’d covered, there were still a few important personal issues to deal with.

* * *

Alisha’s throat had tightened even as her sense of pride had soared. Devon hadn’t only soothed her fears, he’d stepped up and been a real leader. Confronting Marcus had pulled the group tighter when the situation could have torn them apart.

Her admiration for him rose another notch, and now that they were back at his place, she couldn’t take her eyes off him. He’d changed into a pair of soft grey sweatpants and a plain blue T-shirt. His calf was bandaged, but he would only need the dressings for a few days if he avoided infection.

Devon caught sight of her and strode to her side, his fingers slipping into her hair as he cradled her head and kissed her breathless.

She could get used to this far too easily.

When he broke away and scooped her up, she damn near squeaked in protest. “Devon, your leg. Put me down.”

He shook his head in denial. “My injury isn’t that bad, and I’m not letting you go until I know you’re going to stick around and listen.”

Somehow that meant being tossed on his bed, which she was totally okay with. He crawled over her and caught her hands in his, pressing them to the mattress on either side of her head as he stared down, his blue eyes shining bright.

Alisha opened her thighs and allowed his hips to settle more intimately and as usual, the sexual tension between them kicked into high gear. “You plan on ravishing me? I don’t know if that was on the list of approved activities the hospital provided.”

He nuzzled along her neck, pressing his lips to her skin and giving her goose bumps as he worked his way up to her ear. “I’m pretty sure the instruction paper said you’re supposed to wake me every two hours all night long. I’d like to put in my request list now for the various types of wake-up calls I’d enjoy.”

“I bet you would.” And she’d love to fulfill each and every one of them. He lifted his head and caught her gaze again, his laughing expression shifting into something far more serious. “What?”

He paused. “I don’t want you to leave.”

She wiggled gently to emphasize the complete hold he had. “Doesn’t look as if I’m going anywhere anytime soon.”

Devon shook his head. “That’s not what I mean. I mean . . . move in with me.”

Alisha smiled. “I thought I already did.”

“Permanently.”

Her breath skipped. “Devon?”

He nodded. “I love you, Alisha. I want us to be together. We can deal with our insane families and the media, and whatever the hell else life throws at us. I want to be the one you turn to when you’re sad or afraid. I want to hold you tight, and let you wash away my frustrations.”

Her heart swelled with joy as he stroked her cheek. “You’re a glutton for punishment, are you?”

Devon chuckled. “I dare you. I dare you to tell me you don’t want that. To have adventures together, to work together and push each other to be even better than we are. I bet you can’t resist the idea of getting to wake up in the morning knowing I’ll do everything I can to challenge you.”

She laughed out loud. “Another contest?”

“Always. Because I love you.”

“I love you more.”

They broke down, laughing far too hard to do any serious kissing or fooling around. Instead, they ended up in the middle of the bed, Devon wrapped around her like a safety rope.

He stroked her arm as they relaxed. “You never answered me.”

Alisha twisted to face him, brushing her cheek against his. “You sure you’re ready to take on a full-time, permanent relationship knowing I have Bailey Enterprises as the skeleton in my closet?”

He made a rude noise. “You’re not Bailey Enterprises. You’re a member of Lifeline, a kick-ass search-and-rescuer, and the only person who pushes me to be everything I can be.”

“God, you’re good.” She was nearly floating from his praise. “You just try to kick me out.”

His expression of joy reflected back and made her even happier. Then he rolled her on top and stripped off her shirt, and things weren’t nearly as relaxed or peaceful as they’d been a moment before.