Page 151 of I'm Watching You

‘You can handle this?’

Warwick looked like he’d aged a decade. ‘Yes.’

Zack searched the room, and only when he was satisfied that the danger had passed did he holster his weapon and go to Lindsay.

She was covered in so much blood that he was afraid he might hurt her if he touched her. ‘Lindsay, are you all right?’

Green eyes locked on his. Tears filled her eyes and streamed down her face. ‘Yes.’ She wrapped her arms around him. ‘I thought I’d never see you again.’

Zack held Lindsay tight. ‘It’s okay, baby. I’m here.’

Warwick, careful not to look at Pete, moved to Richard’s body and searched his pockets for the key to the handcuffs that held Nicole. Finding it, he moved to her and unlocked them. He had a white-knuckle hold on his control and he wouldn’t be able to hold it forever. He guided Nicole out of the barn.

Lindsay stared at Pete’s body. ‘How did he know we were here?’

‘He’s the one who had been watching you on the cameras. There are cameras at Ruby’s house too.’

‘My God.’

Zack wrapped his arm around Lindsay and held her tight. Her heart beat rapidly against his chest. ‘Let’s get out of here.’

‘Yes.’ In the harsh sunlight, Lindsay squinted and tucked her head against his chest.

As the backup cops arrived and fanned into a tight perimeter, he kissed her. ‘Lindsay, I love you.’

She clung to him. ‘I love you too, Zack.’

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Saturday, September 20, 1:05P.M.

‘That’s the last of it,’ Zack said as he kicked the front door of the saltbox house closed with his foot.

‘Still glad I’m moving in?’ Lindsay said as she eyed the stack of boxes and furniture in the living room.

Zack set the box down and pulled her into his arms. Light from the transom above him shone into the hallway, giving the house a bright, cheery feel. He kissed her long and hard. ‘Absolutely. You’re exactly where you belong.’

Lindsay snuggled close to him. In his arms everything felt soright. After her nightmare experience in July with Richard Braxton and her uncle, Pete Myers, she’d realized just how much she loved Zack. No matter what their problems had been, she’d known she’d work with him to solve them.

Together, they’d gone into marriage counseling and had started to work on the issues that had kept them apart. The sessions weren’t always easy. There were tears and some anger, but through it all they kept communicating and trying to find their way back to each other. And they had. Their relationship wasn’t perfect, but then no relationship was. They both still had busy, demanding work schedules but they both understood that no matter what,they belonged together. Their love would carry them through anything.

Lindsay laid her head against Zack’s chest. She savored the steady thud of his strong heartbeat against her ear.

So much had happened in the last couple of months. Kendall had survived her injuries. For reasons no one understood, the Guardian, Pete, had not cut off her hand. He’d left her to die, expecting her to bleed out. But because Zack and Warwick had found her in time, she’d survived the gunshot wound to her shoulder. She had lost a great deal of blood and was near death when they’d found her. It had been touch-and-go for Kendall for a couple of days. Lindsay had visited her daily, feeling an odd connection to the woman who’d nearly been killed by Lindsay’s own flesh and blood. When Kendall had awakened for the first time, she had been surprised to see Lindsay. She had been even more shocked by Lindsay’s concern. However, as the days had turned into weeks and Lindsay had continued to return to the hospital, Kendall and Lindsay had forged the beginnings of a friendship.

The news media had swarmed all over the story. Their coverage had been relentless. Kendall was used to covering events herself and had hated being the center of attention. Ironically, Lindsay was one of the few people who understood how wrenching such coverage could be.

‘I don’t like this,’ Kendall said as she laid in her hospital bed, her right arm in a gray sling. She was pale and drawn, fragile even, but still held her chin up as if she were queen of the world. Lindsay had to give the woman credit. She was a survivor.

‘Another story will come along,’ Lindsay said. ‘You’ll be forgotten soon enough.’

Kendall’s face tightened as she absently plucked at a loose thread on her blanket. Tears welled in her eyes. ‘I’m sorry.’

Lindsay frowned. ‘For what?’

‘I wasn’t fair to you when I was covering the Guardian story.’ She smoothed long fingers over her thigh. ‘But I’ve had a taste of what I put you through. I’ve beenthestory for the last month and it’s not been pleasant. I was willing to sacrifice you for my career. I’m sorry.’

‘You were doing your job. I understand that it wasn’t personal.’ Lindsay was trying her best to let go of her anger.

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