Page 90 of Shephard

“Exactly.”

“When did you know?”

I took the laptop from her hands, shoving it further away on the desk. “The paralyzing drug was one of his favorite tools. I didn’t know for certain until I read the report provided by the coroner.”

Her nod wasn’t subtle, but full of anger. She tried to get up, her attempt to walk away unacceptable. I grabbed her arm.

“Don’t do this, Denise.”

“Why did you keep this from me? Why? You knew something wasn’t right when you saved my freaking life twice. Twice? The sheriff certainly didn’t seem to care I was almost killed. You knew something horrible was happening, but you kept it to yourself. Just… let me alone. You won’t tell me the truth about anything.”

“Because I can’t. Because it’s classified. Because people I care about like you could die if my past life or my identity as the Killer is discovered. I refuse to allow that to happen to you. Don’t you get it?”

Her mouth twisted and my cock was aching all over again. “Killer?”

“Yeah, I had solid numbers.”

“You care about me?”

The cat was out of the bag now. There was no turning back. “I do. That’s why we can’t do this.”

“What can’t we do?” She placed her hand on my chest, giving me a hard look.

“This. Us. Everything. I will protect you and yes, I’ll find a way to eliminate the enemy, but I won’t allow you to become a victim of my past.”

“You seem to forget that I’m a big girl. I really can take care of myself.”

She honestly either had no idea what she was doing to me, or she was trying to use her feminine wiles. I wasn’t certain which, but my mind was instantly stripped of anything decent. I allowed my gaze to fall down her long legs to her toes, which were just touching the floor. Her lighter laugh was unexpected.

Pepper appeared as if on command, finding herself a little corner to curl into after she yawned. The two of them had made themselves right at home. Naturally.

“What are we going to do now?” she asked.

“We’re doing nothing. I’ll handle it.”

“Nope.”

“What?” I asked as I returned my attention to the screen. She was sitting way too close, uncomfortably so. “You little thief, you.” I was trying to change the subject.

“Fascinating. You have a look of horror on your face. I’m sorry I took something from your room. It was rude of me, but sleeping in the jean skirt was confining. Did I frighten you?”

“Nothing about you could ever do that. I just… You should know sneaking up on people isn’t in your best interest.”

“You mean because they could learn truths that people are hiding.” Her smile was full of irony.

I felt my nostrils flare. “Be careful, sweetheart.”

“You are so grumpy. I bet you’re tense.”

“I’m fine.”

“Nope. Let me see.” She hopped off the desk, moving behind me. Before I could object, she was squeezing my shoulders withher long fingers. “I know you’re one muscular man, but your shoulders are like boulders. You never relax, do you?”

“I don’t have a reason to.”

“Jesus. You need a hobby. Learning to hike or kayak or even whitewater rafting would be good for you. Maybe you’ll lose some of the grumpiness you have going on.”

Her touch was both comforting and quickly becoming an aphrodisiac. I still had my fingers on the keyboard, but couldn’t move them. She had strong fingers herself, working the knots in my muscles like a pro. “I work out.”

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