Brody described the harrowing scene. She had known Zach was wounded in combat—she had seen the scars with her own eyes—but the event became real and terrifying as Brody described in detail how Zach had saved all three of them.
“We managed to get out of the room but the building was surrounded. Logan couldn’t run. I couldn’t go far or fast. We radioed for help but the rest of our team had gotten caught by another group. We found out later one of our interpreters was an informant. They knew we were coming.
“We both tried to get Zach to leave. Figured that, out of the three of us, he had the best chance to make it out alive. Instead of doing what we told him to do, he circled round and took out two of the shooters. The two others kept firing at me and Logan. We exchanged fire for what seemed like forever. Just when I thought we were done for, here comes Zach back inside. He assessed which one of us was hurt the most—which was Logan. He gave me his ammunition. Then the damn stubborn fool hauled Logan onto his back and carried him out of there.”
“And how did you get out?”
A fleeting, haunted look came into his eyes and then gave way to that glint of humor that seemed a part of him. “I figured if Zach made it safely back with Logan, he might send reinforcements back for me or, hell, come back himself.”
“But that’s not what he did?”
“I was almost out of ammo. No way was I going to just lie there and let the bastards shoot me without trying to run. I managed to crawl to the door and was about to open it when the shooting stopped.”
“Why? What happened?”
“Zach. He snuck up on one of the bastards from the back … took him out with a knife. Then he shot the last one.” He paused for a few seconds, allowing her to absorb the enormity of Zach’s heroism.
“So that’s why if Zach calls, we come running.” Locking eyes with her, he repeated his earlier statement: “He’s a fine man, Savannah.”
And like a sledgehammer falling from the sky, realization hit her. “You know what happened ten years ago, don’t you?”
He grimaced. “Yeah. When you’re in a stinking hellhole with death staring you in the face, things that are eating at you can devour you whole. Sometimes you end up sharing those things.”
“I wish he had told me earlier.”
“You didn’t take his calls when he tried.”
His tone wasn’t accusing but she felt the sting of his words all the same. She and Zach had both made mistakes. He should have contacted her sooner; he should have taken her calls. And she should have pushed aside her pain to take his calls later on. So much wasted time. So much pain that could have been avoided.
“We both messed up.”
“And you both have a chance to make it right this time.”
Brody was right. They did have the chance. Suddenly she knew she couldn’t wait until this case was solved. Finding out who killed her parents was important, but coming clean with Zach couldn’t wait any longer.
She went to her feet. “I need to see Zach. Can you tell Aunt Gibby I’ll call her later?”
Apparently recognizing that she’d come to some sort of decision, Brody winked and said, “Good luck.”
Turning, she ran out the door and to the patrol car. Telling Zach would be one of the hardest things she’d ever done, but until he knew the truth, they couldn’t move on. Now she just had to find the right words that wouldn’t hurt him more than he had already been hurt.
CHAPTER
THIRTY
Getting a call from Savannah to come to the Wilde mansion wasn’t something Zach was expecting. He had liked the idea of her being in his house, in his bed.
When he arrived, he understood why she had moved back home. Not only were her sisters with her, Brody and Logan could have rooms here, too. Savannah, her sisters, and Brody were all sitting in the living room, eating Chinese takeout, when he walked in the door. The instant Savannah spotted him, she jumped from the couch immediately to kiss him hello.
“I didn’t intend to stay,” she whispered softly. “I just came by for some clothes but Sammie and Bri showed up with dinner, then Brody dropped by. Logan’s with Aunt Gibby. We can leave now or go after dinner.”