Page 99 of Strictly Forbidden

I held the weapon in the same position until Noel placed a hand on my forearm, Max crowding closer, even pressing his head against my thigh. Only then did I realize what I’d told Dan was the truth.

I wanted a life, a second chance and killing him wouldn’t allow that.

As soon as I lowered the weapon, she threw her arms around me. I barely felt when some cop eased the Glock from my fingers. But what I did was the warmth of her shaking body and the love she emanated as she pressed her face into my neck.

And I never wanted this feeling to end.

“You were willing to die for me.”

Noel’s words would haunt me perhaps for the rest of my life. We were sitting on the couch inside the cabin, Max curled at our feet. I couldn’t believe the pup was unhurt, other than maybe a few bumps and bruises. “Yeah, both Max and I would have.”

The noise inside the house was horrific, the number of police officers swarming the area outside to be expected, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t tired of the interference. I wanted to get her the fuck out of here to somewhere that didn’t remind her of yet another freak show.

I’d find a place. If fucking Saldono dared try to show his ugly face, bringing goons with him, I would kill him without hesitation.

It was my right and I was finished with any motherfucker taking advantage of me or attempting to hurt the woman I would protect at all costs.

She pressed her hand against my face, forcing me to look in her direction. “Thank you. I’m so sorry I interfered.”

“Baby. While you shouldn’t have jumped into the middle of my business, I’m damn glad you did.”

“I can’t stand what you went through. I just can’t.” A single tear slipped past her long lashes and it jerked at my heart all over again.

The police had taken both our statements, taking way too long in doing so in my opinion. They’d looked at us incredulously, as if we were to blame for the incident. “We’ll get through it. We will.”

As she leaned her head forward, pressing our foreheads together, I took a deep breath. My ribs hurt but the pain was well deserved for leaving her alone. I would likely never forgive myself.

A copycat killer.

What the fuck?

I eased my hand between us, gathering the salty bead on my finger before gripping the side of her neck, pulling her lips against mine. She was still shivering, her body seeming so tiny in my arms. I kept the kiss tender and loving, hoping she would feel the heat of my body, taking at least some comfort from it.

There was no reason for me to have such scattered thoughts, but I reminded myself that I was the kind of man no one wanted to cross. Things ended badly. The fuck secured in the back of a police car on his way to jail had learned that the hard way.

Even if I hadn’t been able to finish the job.

While I knew little about the man’s story, the fact he’d used his position as an attorney to shadow one of the most notorious monsters within the United States was just as disgusting as the heinous crimes committed. The cops weren’t telling us shit but I’d overheard enough to know it appeared Joel had been responsible for at least two recent kills within the Denver city limits.

“Thank you,” Noel said as soon as we both pulled away. I doubted either one of us liked the fact we were constantly being watched.

“We’re leaving when the fuckers are done with their investigation.”

“What about the snow?”

“Fuck the snow. We’re going to take our fur baby somewhere opulent where we’ll order room service and fucking champagne until we can’t stand up straight. Then we’ll sleep until noon, grabbing a huge breakfast afterwards and fuck it. We’ll go shopping.”

The tears returned to her eyes, but I gathered a sense of gratitude.

“I’d love that.”

“Ms. Young. Mr. Bronson. I think we have all we need for tonight but I’m certain there will be additional questions.”

The young man had gotten the short end of the straw in telling us.

“Not tonight. I’m taking her out of here,” I told him, slowly lifting my head.

“Understood. We have your number. Someone will call you when you need to come down to the station.”

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