Page 40 of Make You Mine

He needs space, and I’ll give it to him. I can’t begrudge him, either.

Nor am I afraid.

Even if his anger was bad enough that Captain Perez took him out of the apartment.

Where did they go? I have no clue, but when the condo became too quiet, I left the safety of my room to investigate and found everyone missing, which led me to sitting outside on his balcony overlooking a bay that’s too beautiful for words.

“Are you okay?” His voice is rough and hoarse, but beneath it all is a tinge of regret. “I’m sorry if I scared you, Ava. Please know that you’re always?—”

“I know.” Turning my head to look at him, I give him a small smile. “Never doubted you.”

“Thank you.”

Standing, I walk to the railing he’s leaning against and bump his arm. “Why are you thanking me?”

Elijah grimaces and then gives me a pathetic shrug. “I’m just glad you’re not running from me. That you’re not asking for a reassignment.”

“Not happening, my dude.” I bat my lashes while crooking a finger. Lightening the mood. “You’re kind of stuck with me until this is all over.”

“Is that so?” He chuckles, shaking his head before stepping fully into my space. There’s less tension in him now, his smile a little crooked, and to be honest, it’s very sexy. That swagger—hisvirile masculinity—causes my thighs to clench, and a tiny gasp gets caught in my throat when he looks up at me from under his thick lashes.

Not to mention how the side of his body warms mine. I’m surrounded by his scent.

Yup. I’m screwed.“It is.”

“I’m very good with that.”

“Good. Now, how about filling me in on...” I trail off because even though I hate to bring up something unpleasant, we have an overdue conversation pending. His truths. Mine, too. Especially after I saw that?—

“Fair enough.” He looks out onto the water. Neither of us speaks for a few minutes as we soak up the amazing view: waves crashing and a bright blue sky with a few high-rise buildings, each with a unique structural fascia making up the skyline. A rough exhale is my sign that he’s ready. “Where do you want to start?”

“Adam and Jaime. That’s when the secrets began.”

“Would you like to take a walk with me?”

“Is it safe to do so?” I counter his question, liking the idea of going outside with him more than I should. My entire being vibrates with excitement at the opportunity to do something normal…with him.

Elijah nods again. “I’ll take every precaution to ensure nothing happens.”

“I know you will.”

“That means a lot to me.” Turning his face, his warm eyes settle on mine. “We’ve assigned two squad cars to be stationed nearby twenty-four hours a day until Ripley’s caught. They’re only a radio call away.”

“Okay.” Hopping a bit in place, I’m ready to head out. To not be cooped up. “And do you promise to be completely honest with me?”

“Yes.” No hesitation. No doubt.

“Then yeah. I’d like that, Detective.”I just hope you grant me the same understanding in return.

I’m speechless.Horrified. Overwhelmed by everything Elijah’s said.

My mind is going around in a hundred directions as I try to make sense of his words.

More girls. More lives have been taken, and each one is my fault.

Christ, will this nightmare ever end?

Closing my eyes, I try to fight back the tears pooling and threatening to spill—to not show just how helpless I truly feel—but I fail. A lone drop falls down my cheek, and Elijah wraps an arm around my shoulders, tucking me against his side.

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