Page 67 of Elliot

Elliot cleared his throat. “I’m not proposing marriage, not yet.”

She giggled nervously. “I almost had a heart attack.”

He reached for her hand with one of his, then pulled out a small box with his free hand. He flipped it open. “This is a promise ring.” Two pearls were flanked by large rubies. “The rubies are my heart. You have it. I know we started this relationship under stressful circumstances, but my heart knows what it wants. It wants you. I want you. The pearls represent the natural growth I want our relationship to experience. Natural, easy, and continuous. If you will accept it.”

Her hands flew to her face, and the tears were instantaneous. “I was so afraid I was the only one who felt it.” She reached forward and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him. “Yes, a thousand times yes, I’ll accept it.”

He pulled her in and held her, whispering a relieved, “Thank God.” They both laughed, and she released him, wiping at her tears.

“Since I’ve met you, I’ve cried more than I ever have.”

He cupped her cheek and wiped away a tear. “Only happy tears from now on.”

“Are you going back to Colorado?” She sniffed a bit. “I’ll have to stay here for the next four months, well, six at least, but then I can travel out to see you.”

He shook his head. “I’ve asked for a transfer to the New York office. I was losing my mind with boredom waiting for assignments. Ross Stapleton has agreed to take me on and bring me up to speed on everything needed to work here.”

Her hands shook as she placed them on his hard chest. “Here? In New York?”

He nodded and smiled. “I’ll have to find an apartment.”

“No, you don’t! Stay here. Stay with me.” She leaned in and kissed him. “Don’t leave me. Don’t ever leave me.”

He kissed her but broke off the contact when it got heated. “The doctor said no physical activity for a week. We don’t want that migraine to come back.”

She sighed and leaned into him. “I don’t like that doctor. Say yes.”

He chuckled. “He’s not my favorite person at the moment either, and yes, if you’re sure,” he said as he held her.

“I’m positive. I was so afraid you’d have to leave.”

“No. I’ve finally found you. I’m holding onto you. You’re my reason.” She smiled and closed her eyes. The warmth of knowing she was cherished and loved, although he hadn’t said the words, spread through her with a certainty that lodged into every iota of her being.

Elliot’s eyesopened with a start. He listened for whatever had woken him. Maya was asleep next to him on her side, so it wasn’t her snoring. The whine of the elevator registered. He slipped out of bed and had his weapon in his hand on the way out of the bedroom. He waited with his weapon leveled on the elevator.

The door opened, and a man he didn’t recognize had a gun trained on him. The man smiled. “Sorry for the shoulder. You weren’t my target.” The man spoke in a hushed whisper.

“Who was?” Elliot asked in the same quiet tone. His finger was tight on the trigger, but his gut told him the man wouldn’t fire on him unless he fired first.

“That blonde bitch. I finally had a clear shot, and then all hell busted loose. Thank you for saving my daughter, by the way. I’m indebted.”

“Jonathan Oatem,” Elliot said the man’s name.

“I answer to many names. But not that one anymore.”

“You’re a contractor?” Elliot was putting the pieces together.

The man smiled a bit. “You could say that.”

“Or I could say a serial killer.”

“Nah, I didn’t kill those people. So many others, but not them. That’s just the police being lazy. The killer can be identified by the DNA that was left if they ever decide to run it. As I said, lazy. And the guy moved on to Florida.” Jonathan shrugged. “The cops there have him in jail, but not for what he’s done. Maybe someone will figure it out. Maybe you could help them.”

“Is that why you’re here? To get me to clear your name?”

“I don’t need anyone to do anything for me. I’m here to tell you if you hurt her, you’ll answer to me.”

Elliot glared at the man. “That will never happen. Maya is mine, and I’ll kill to protect her.”

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