Page 29 of Taken by the Lawman

Once they were outside, Deegan stopped her. “Why did you do that?”

“Take the blame and get us out of trouble? Hell, I don’t know.” She gave her head a shake.

“I don’t need you doing that. I’m a grown ass man and can stand up for the decisions I make. He could have laid the hammer down on you.”

“And I knew he’d fire you quicker than he would me. We both know that, especially since this isn’t the first time you’ve been on the line for going against protocol.” She kept walking. Her entire body hurt. Seeing the hard set of his jaw and his unusual silence, she stopped. “Deegan?” he looked at her. “It’s not your fault that the homeless girl is dead.”

“Yeah, right,” he muttered and stomped toward his truck.

He was already in the driver’s seat by the time she had made it to the passenger seat. “Although I think it was crazy that you gave her your number, I can see why you did it. We have no clue what really happened to her. It could have been an overdose.”

“Or the killer could have found her.”

“She was living on the edge, Deegan. We see this all the time. You giving her money and asking her questions wasn’t the reason why she died. She was caught up in something very dangerous.”

He turned his pensive gaze on her. “I don’t believe the girl overdosed any more than I believe Annie killed herself. If I’d found the killer sooner there would be one less death. If I hadn’t come into the garage when I did, you could be—” His face became hard. “We have to find the killer.”

She laid her hand on his elbow. “We will. We’re getting closer. I can feel it.”

He blew out a long breath through the corner of his tight lips. “My God, Kiersten. You’re bruised and banged up. This is all because of me. I should have never asked you to help with the case.”

“There will be none of that. Although no one likes to get their ass kicked, it happens sometimes in this business.”

Deegan brought his hand up and cupped her cheek. “It’s late and we both could use some sleep. Let’s find a bed and zonk out.”

“Together?”

“If you think for a second that I’m going to leave your side, you’re crazy. From now until you are better, I’m your nurse. Got that?” He dropped his hand from her cheek and started the engine. “We can go back to my place. It’s not the Hilton, but—” He smiled. “That’s right. You already know.”

Her body warmed, from her roots to the tips of her toes. If they went back to his place, she knew exactly what would happen and sleep had nothing to do with it. “No, not your place.”

“Yours then?”

She gave her head a shake. “No, all my stuff is moved out.”

“You’re moving?” His brows scrunched.

“I’m building a house.”

“Why didn’t you mention it?”

“Why would I?” She shifted in the seat, putting on her seatbelt before he had the chance. “By the way, what did the text message read from the girl? Hamilton said it was the last message she sent.”

“I don’t know because I didn’t see it.” He reached in, took out his phone, clicking on the appropriate icon. “There it is.”

“Read it,” she urged.

“I know where he lives. I’ll tell you. Meet me tonight.”

“She knew where he lived? Why is it that I believe she knew this information all along?”

. “She certainly had entrepreneurial skills.”

She caught the hitch in his voice and she knew he truly felt sadness over the girl’s death. Every lawman felt the weight of those who died on their watch.

“I need a few winks. Where are we headed?” he asked quietly.

“Pull out of here and take a left.” Once they were out on the main road, she said, “Why doesn’t the killer just cut his losses and get the hell out of dodge?”

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