Page 50 of Wanted by the Lawman

“I saw your phone, sweetheart. I’m just calling to remind you of our bargain,” Rory’s voice rasped on the other end. “The lawman can die. It’s all in how you chose.” Click.

She threw her phone to the bed and dropped to the floor, tears flowed down her cheeks. No one should ever pay for her mistakes.

~~~**~~~

Zander stared at the open file on the latest victim. Twenty-two. Brunette with brown eyes. Straight A student. Same bruises and she had a used syringe in her pocket. There were obvious physical resemblances and the clues were growing, but not anything that points to a killer yet. Although Zander was starting to compile a profile of the killer. White male who was educated, if not above average in intelligence, with enough knowledge of the law that he could keep a clean crime scene. Possibly a current or former cop.

He looked through the window, watching a bird sitting on a branch. It chirped and flitted its wings. He hoped he was headed in the right direction.

Even though he hated going behind his buddy’s back, Zander knew they needed someone from the outside helping, so he’d asked his brother, Cullen, to take a look at the deputies, not only in Crooked Creek, but also several surrounding counties. So far, everyone checked out clean.

Blowing out a long breath, Zander leaned his head back, closing his eyes. An image of Wynn developed on the back of his eyelids. He was miserable and he wanted to see her, but he’d dedicated himself to finding the bastard who was killing innocent girls. He felt he was doing the right thing by staying away from Wynn until he could concentrate on only her even though he missed her and wanted nothing more than to hold her in his arms. To finish what they’d started when he was called away.

He realized he was getting involved with a woman who wouldn’t just be a fling. It wasn’t possible to not fall for her.

Lord, he could still smell her, feel her satin-smooth skin under his rough hands. Hear her soft, delicate whimpers fall off her lips as he nibbled her neck, licked her ear lobe. She’d been on fire…

He looked down at Susie-Q who looked up at him with sad eyes. “You miss her too, huh girl?” He gave the dog a scratch behind her ears, then stood and went into the kitchen to pour himself a second cup of coffee for the morning when he heard a soft knock on the door.

Standing on the stoop was the exact person he’d been thinking about non-stop. “This is a great surprise,” he said when he opened the door.

“Can I come in?” Wynn asked.

“Sure.” He stepped back and let her pass, then closed the door with his foot. He watched her bend and give Susie-Q attention. When she stood back up, he skimmed his gaze over her red T-shirt that read, “Life would be boring without me.” He smiled.

Her smile seemed somewhat forced and the dark circles under her eyes told him something was wrong

“I know you’re probably neck deep in work, but I was wondering if you were planning on going into town this morning?” she asked.

“I planned to eventually. I promised mom I’d help her out with something later. Is there something you need?”

“If you can’t it’s okay.” She waved a hand through the air.

“You might want to ask first.”

“Sure.” She tucked her hands into her front pockets. Was she nervous? Why did he hope that she wanted to revisit what they’d started before? So much for staying away from her. “It’s time for my lab visit to check all my levels. Just something I have to do on occasion before I can get my prescription for my medicine and nebulizer.”

“I’d be happy to take you into the lab.”

“Are you sure? I can see you’re busy.” She looked at the coffee table where he had folders strewn across the top.

“I need a break. Are you ready to go?”

“All I need to do is lock up next door and I’ll be ready.”

“How about I meet you in front of your house with the truck all warm?”

Five minutes later, Zander was in front of her house, waiting in the truck, and soon after Wynn darted out of her front door and came rushing down the sidewalk. Once she slid into the truck, bringing with her the scent of heaven, she gave him a nervous smile. “Sorry. I couldn’t find my other glove. It’s cold out today.”

As they pulled away, she was staring out the window and he still sensed something was wrong. “Wynn?”

She brought her chin around and he noticed how her bottom lip quivered. “Yes?”

“Is something wrong? Are you upset with me?” He turned down the radio.

“Why would I be angry with you?”

He shrugged. “We were in the middle of…well…” How could he put it in a gentle way? “Things were getting pretty hot and heavy and then I got the call.”

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