Page 64 of No Good Deed

She nodded. “Mostly, but I want some new memories to kick out the ones from yesterday. Touch me, Troy. Help me feel free and safe and loved.”

He hugged her tightly while he battled back his own emotions. Then he kissed her hair and let his hands drift softly over her skin. Caressing everywhere and trying to eliminate the fear.

“You’re safe, Piper. You’re strong. And beautiful and safe.”

He kept his hands moving and kept talking.

And when she drifted into an orgasm with a happy cry, he’d never heard anything better.

CHAPTER 23

Good Question

After they dried off and dressed, Piper knew she was strong enough to see Marcus and deal with Ethan. She needed to make a statement about what had happened, and she wanted answers. The only person who could give them was Ethan.

She didn’t want to be in the same room with him—actually, she didn’t want to be in the same state with him—but she had to be an adult about this. He was locked up in Marcus’s jail cell, and he couldn’t hurt her anymore. So she’d focus on getting answers, and ending this entire nightmare.

They walked into Phail General, but Troy locked the door behind them and kept the sign showing Closed. Call if you need something.

After they hung up their coats, Troy took her hand. “Ready?”

She nodded, and they moved to the door separating Phail General from the deputy’s office. She’d noticed the cell in the corner before, so she knew she’d be facing Ethan as soon as she walked in. She straightened her shoulders and swallowed the lingering fear.

Troy lifted her hand to kiss it. “You’ve got this.”

He knocked on the door, and then opened it. Inside, Marcus stood from his desk with a smile. The deputy’s eyes looked tired and she realized that as the only law-enforcement person in town, he’d probably had to stay with his prisoner all night.

Piper looked over at the cell. Ethan lay on the cot on his back with his arm thrown over his eyes. She couldn’t tell if he was sleeping or ignoring them.

Marcus moved around the desk with his laptop and gestured to the seating area on the side of the room. “Thanks for coming in. I’ve got a lot of the work done, but I need a full statement from Piper stating exactly what happened.”

A roar came from the cell, and Piper flinched. She turned to see Ethan was now standing at the bars. “You bitch. This is your fault.”

She was sure her mouth dropped open. “You’re such an idiot, Ethan.”

She ignored his next roar, even though her body shuddered at it.

Marcus grinned at her. “Why don’t we let Troy sit with our prisoner while you and I move into Phail General to finish up?”

She nodded and moved quickly back through the door. Marcus followed. Troy grinned at her. “Way to put him in his place, Piper. See you in a few.” Then he closed the door behind them.

Marcus put his laptop on the counter, and they pulled up two stools. Her hands were shaking, and she twisted them together. “I want to get some answers about what happened, but I don’t think he’s going to give me any.”

Marcus shrugged. “We’ll see. It’s not been very long, and he’s muttered a few things. I’ll tell you more after I get your statement. Why don’t you start at the beginning?”

She nodded. It wasn’t like not talking would help her forget. Maybe going through it with Marcus would help purge it from her system.

A rap on the window brought their attention, with Joe holding up Oreo, who started yipping as soon as he spotted Piper. Laughing, she crossed to open the door and let them in. Oreo nearly bounded from Joe’s arms into hers. His butt wiggled, his legs scrabbled to get even closer, and he licked her face.

Joe laughed. “He’s had a lot of fun with Moose, but Troy thought it would be a good time to bring him to you.”

The man was incredibly thoughtful. No wonder she’d fallen in love. “This is perfect. Thanks for everything, Joe.”

He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Any time. If you need anything at all, let us know. Lock up behind me.”

And then she was back at the stool with Marcus. Holding Oreo made it easier to tell the story.

After she’d told it through, Marcus asked questions to find more details, and she found herself remembering more without the fear. The deputy had a way of making it feel like she was watching it on a screen, not reliving it. “You’re good at this, Marcus. Thank you for making it easier.”

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