Page 24 of Dangerous Lies

“How long were you on the streets?”

“A few years, but everything changed when Brittany met Seth. He took us in, and my sister fell for him, hard. Part of me thought she was doingitfor me, but Iknownow she loved him. For eight years, my sister has searched for him. She won't stop until she finds him, and I'm worried about what will happen if she finds out he's dead.”

“Your sister is strong,” he said. “She needs the closure, either way. All you can do is betherefor her if her husband is dead. So, you've talked about the person your sister loves, but you still haven't mentioned one boyfriend.”

“I never had one. While Brittany searched for Seth, I worked to create my business. Then, when I was about to be stable, Tyler came into my life.”

His chest tightened. He had to know the truth. “Is he mine?”

A single tear slipped from her eyes. “Yes, but please don't rip him away from me. I didn'tknowwho the father was until you showed up on my doorstep.Itwas like a bucket of ice dropped on my head, and I worried you were here to take him at first.”

He understood family wasn't only about blood. The men he’d fought beside over the years were his brothers, and he had a closer connection to some of them than his biological brother who he hadn't talked to in a few months.

“I'm not going to take him from the person he considers to be his mom. The only thing I ask is to be a part of his life. You did a good job raising him, and my beef isn't with you. Part of me wonders if Brittany hoped I would meet you and we’d fall for each other.”

“She asked if I found you attractive,” Rose whispered.

He put his fingers under her chin so she couldn't look away from him. “What did you tell her?”

She tried to turn her head, but he kept his grip.

“Answer me.”

Her pupils dilated. “Yes, you're hot. Does your ego need that much of a boost? But I thinkit'sstrange that I'm attracted to the man who was in love with my sister. This all sounds out of control.”

He didn't want her togetthe wrong impression. “At the time, I wanted the house and picket fence. Your sister picked me up at a bar, anditturned into a whirlwind romance. Did I care about your sister? Yes. Wasitlove? I don'tknowbecause when I lost your sister,ithurt. Today, when I couldn't find you, pure terror filled my veins.”

“When I woke up, panic set in. Part of me thought the guy was playing a game, butitwas more serious today. He put me to sleep andcouldhave easily killed me like every single person he has killed before.”

Therewas a good chance Ginger wouldn't let her out of his sight for a long time.

Ginger pressed a kiss to the side of her head. “He didn't. The letter mentioned the abandoned building you stayed in when you were young.”

He threaded his fingers with hers while he waited for her to talk. He didn't push her. She had to do this on her own time.

“I hadn't taken the time to think aboutit. When I read the letter, I thoughtitwas strange, but I was kind of excited about the bug he gave me. God, I let a serial killer capture me with bugs. I've taught Tyler for years not to take candy from strangers, and I did exactly what I lecture him not to do.”

“Don't beat yourself up. We will figure out who he is,” Ginger said.

“I have everything I've found over the years mapped out. Everything he's given me I've kept also, so maybe we can useitto find him, or maybe the police will believe you.”

He hated to admit they might listen to him over her. “Tomorrow, you can show me what you have, and we willseewhat we want to take to the police.”

“Okay, I should probably let yougetto sleep.”

Sleeping wasn't even close to what he had on his mind. “Is that what you want?”

“I don'tknowhow to do this.” Her cheeks turned a lovely shade of pink.

“What do you think this is?”

“Sex?” Rose asked.

“Or Icouldhold you until you fall asleep.”

His dick was as hard as a rock, but he would hold her in his arms all night if that was what she wanted.

“I want more. I was serious earlier when I said I've never done this.”

---