Page 98 of Exposure of Murder

“Sweetheart,” he murmured, his fingers brushing her cheek.

“I knew you’d come,” she whispered, tears running down her face.

“Always.” Ethan pulled her in for a desperate kiss. “Are you ready to get out of here?”

She nodded and leaned into him, trembling. “More than ready.”

As they made their way out, Jane hesitated. She glanced at Victor, who was groaning in the corner. “He … he killed Maggie. And David.”

“Shhh. I know.” Ethan pulled her close and wiped her tears and silently vowed Victor would never hurt another person again.

They walked toward the door until Jane stopped. “I heard him talking to someone who he planned to meet here later.”

Ethan turned to his deputies. “Jimbo, you take a couple of men and move the cars into the woods. Stay here and welcome whoever shows up.”

Was it possible they could end this once and for all?

Fifty-One

Ethan cradled Jane in his arms as he carried her to the truck, covering her eyes as they passed Maggie’s lifeless form. He helped her in and secured her seat belt. She hiccupped a few times but wasn’t crying. He couldn’t get over how brave she was. Over the years, the department had several cases of similar horrors where the victims became hysterical as fear overwhelmed them—not that he blamed them.

“Are we going home?” she asked in a soft voice.

“Not right away,” he replied. There was no way he was taking Jane home without having a doctor check her out. God only knew what Victor had injected her with or what he did to her when she was tied up. “You’re seeing a doctor first.”

She huffed. “I really just want to go home, take a shower and go to bed.” She reached over to stroke his arm. “Please.”

Ethan smirked. “I’m the law here, and I’m telling you we are driving to the hospital.”

Jane gave him a little pout.

“Then when we get back to the house,” Ethan continued, “I’m going to give you a bath.”

“Oh, I like that,” she whispered. “Then what?”

He laughed. “Minx! Then I’m going to tuck you into bed.”

“I like that too.” She tilted her head. “Aaand?”

“And I’m going to cover you up, and you’re going to sleep.”

“Ugh! You’re a party pooper.”

Ethan started the truck, the engine roaring to life.

“Jane, someone pushed, dragged, and drugged you. Your body has been through enough today. Tomorrow, if you’re feeling up to it, I’ll have my wicked way with you.” Ethan desperately wanted that connection to Jane, wanted to kiss every inch of her body and make sweet love to her, but he would wait.

Jane smirked. “Holding you to it, big guy.”

Ethan shook his head. This woman! Fearless, strong, and wholly his to love, to hold, to cherish.

It took them a short time to get to the hospital, the streets passing in a blur. Luckily, a doctor was able to see Jane right away. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled his nostrils as the doctor carefully stitched up the cut above Jane’s brow, took some blood, and inspected her thoroughly before giving her some pain medication and declaring she was okay to go home.

Ethan called Tanner on the way back, and Jane spoke to Savannah, who promised to be there when they arrived.

The house was lit up by the time they arrived. Savannah was on the porch, pacing nervously. He turned off the truck and walked around to the passenger side to help Jane, who had fallen asleep a short time ago. He gently unlatched the seat belt, lifted her into his arms, her head snuggled into his shoulder, and carried her into the house. Savannah fluttered around Jane.

Tanner stood up from the kitchen table, placing his cup down as Jane woke up.

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