Free Rocco and Mandy: A Red Team Wedding Novella (Book #6.5) by Elaine Levine

Angel lifted his head and called over to Kit, “Four shots. He’s got two more.”
    “Yeah,” Kit answered, his eyes glued to Rocco.
    When Kitano neared where they stood, Mandy took a step closer. Kitano stopped and turned, focused on her. Angel pulled her against his chest again. “Let Kit handle this, Emmy. Just be still. Please.”
    As Mandy watched, Kitano walked a circle around Rocco. Another circle brought him within feet of Rocco’s slumped form. He stood next to him. Shivers rippled through his shoulders. Mandy could hear his heavy breathing as he scented Rocco. He moved a step closer, now standing nose to nose with Rocco. He nudged Rocco, pressed his face against Rocco’s, snorted against Rocco’s neck.
    Rocco leaned his face into Kitano’s, then reached up with both hands to hold Kitano’s head. The gun was still on the ground.  
    “Now, Kit,” Angel snapped.
    Kit shook his head and held out his hand. “Wait. Just wait.”
    Rocco reached up farther to pat Kitano’s long neck. He held on to the horse’s mane as he pulled himself to his feet. He leaned against Kitano’s chest and wrapped his arms around the horse’s wide shoulders. His sobs were quieter now. Much quieter.
    The three of them stood on the outside of the corral. Mandy couldn’t stop her tears. She noticed the rest of the team had come outside and were now standing in small groups around the corral.  
    Rocco held Kitano and cried and cried. The horse that had feared men as long as Mandy had known him didn’t fear Rocco anymore. The horse owned the man in that moment, standing patiently with Rocco while they all waited for the storm to pass.  
    After a few minutes, Kit walked over to the gate and stepped inside. Kitano lifted his head and watched him. This time, the horse didn’t seem agitated by his nearness. Kit slowly walked forward until he was within reach of Rocco’s pistol. He picked it up, checked it for bullets, then tucked it in his waistband.
    He set a hand on Rocco’s back. Rocco turned from Kitano, shoulders slumped, and faced Kit. The two men hugged. Mandy could hear they were both crying, which started her tears over again. Angel rubbed his big hand over her back.
    Kit led Rocco out of the corral and over to them. Before Mandy could even reach for him, he hugged the both of them. Then the other guys were all there. Each of them hugged Rocco. Even Selena.
    When he came back to Mandy, he looked pale and defeated, so very lost.  
    “I couldn’t do it,” he said. “I can’t do it.”
    Mandy wept as she held his face. She checked him over, from neck to waist, then did a pass over all of him. He was whole and unharmed. What a blessed, sweet sight. “I’m glad.”
    Kit palmed his phone. “I’m calling Kimble.”
    “No,” Rocco said, his voice like gravel. “Not tonight. I’ll talk to him tomorrow.”
    “Rocco—” Kit started.
    “Not tonight, Kit,” Rocco said.
    “We got him tonight,” Angel said, putting a hand on Rocco’s shoulders. Angel hugged him again. “You didn’t do it. Goddamn, Rocco.”
    “I couldn’t. There were too many angels in the way. I was shouting at them to leave, but they wouldn’t. Just more and more came. Didn’t you see them?” he asked, looking around at everyone.
    No one said anything. Mandy bit her lip, but her choked breath still made a loud sound.
    Rocco wrapped his arms around her. “I’m done, Em. I’m done.”
    “What does that mean, Rocco?”
    “It means I’m going to find a way to live. I’m leaving the dark behind.” He looked over at Kitano, who was watching him by the fence. “Kitano and I both are leaving the dark behind.”
    Mandy lowered her head against his chest and wept. He wrapped his arms around her head. “I’m sorry. For this. For everything. Every fucking thing.”
    She looked up at him. “You have nothing to apologize for. I only ever wanted you to begin healing.”
    Rocco nodded, then kissed her forehead. “I’m ready to start