Page 323 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

The anger that surged in me stemmed from something primitive, something deep inside my heart. I looked at Eva, expecting to see fear on her face. Instead, I saw a strong woman glaring at a killer. Her hands clenched, and I wanted to know what went on in her mind. But that could wait for later.

“What the hell happened here?” Sean approached with three other officers.

“He threatened Eva, and I shot him.” My time at the shooting range had improved my skills, and the Brookline Police Department knew I was licensed to carry.

“He killed Dennis.” Eva leaned into me, her body still quivering.

Sean gestured to his men to apprehend Bleeding Heart.

“This isn’t over!” Bleeding Heart laughed and winced. “You’re hurting my arm!”

“Shut the fuck up or I’m going to shove a bouquet of bleeding hearts into your mouth,” replied the officer with the red hair.

Eva whispered to me, “He shouldn’t do that if he wants Bleeding Heart alive. Those flowers are poisonous if ingested.”

Eighteen

EVA

After providing the details of what had occurred to Detective McNally, the EMTs examined me. When they cleared me, Kain took brought me back to his place and made me warm tea.

Like a protective wolf, he sat next to me on the couch, brushing a hand over my face, my hair, my arms. “Who hit you? Was it Bleeding Heart?”

I drank the warm tea and placed it on the coffee table. Rubbing the deep V between his eyebrows, I said, “No. It was Dennis.”

“It’s a good thing he’s dead.” Pouting, Kain examined the scrapes on my palms. “He did this too?”

“They’re minor,” I said.

Though I didn’t like the person Dennis became when he was drunk, sadness overcame me. He needed help for his addiction. Maybe he would’ve recovered, maybe not. But I didn’t want to see someone die like that again. The warm blood had splattered on my clothes and face. It was too horrific, and I understood why so many people had PTSD.

I prayed I wouldn’t have any nightmares from today’s event. I took Kain’s hand in mine because he made me feel safe. “I’m okay.”

He probably understood my state of mind, sighed, and the tense expression on his face softened.

“Bleeding Heart is going away for a long time, if he survives prison.”

I rested my head on his shoulders. “That’s good.”

“I’ve never felt fear like this evening, Eva.”

I sat up and stared at him. For someone reason, Kain appeared nervous.

“What’s wrong?”

He rubbed the top of my hand with his thumb, soothing me more than he knew.

“Nothing’s wrong. I couldn’t wait to see you today. When my meeting ended early, I went outside hoping to see the Uber pull up. When you didn’t show up, fear spiked in me. My mind wandered to terrifying scenarios.” He paused for breath. “I love you so much, Eva. I was so frightened I could’ve lost you.”

Warmth spread all over me.

“But you didn’t.” I kissed his forehead, his cheek, and his lips. “I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere. A dangerous criminal has been caught, and the town is safe again. Let’s talk about something positive for the rest of the day, okay?”

His eyes flickered. “I have something pretty to show you.”

I arched an eyebrow. “Show me.”

“You stay put. I’ll be right back.” He got up and walked toward the kitchen.

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