Page 67 of Montana Manhunt

She sighed and set down her empty tea mug. “I understand what you’re saying, Noah, but I have to do this. I have to beinvolved in finding Cami’s killer. It’s the last chance I’ll have to do something for my sister.”

“Camilla loved you. She wouldn’t want you to lose your life while hunting down the person who took her from you.”

“I can’t walk away now. The killer knows why I’m here.”

“Yeah, and he’s already attempted to take you out twice in the past twelve hours.”

“I know.” Violet shoved her hands through her hair, rumpling the tresses. “I should ask Maddox to call you and the others back to duty. I don’t want any of you hurt on my account.”

Noah narrowed his eyes. “Do you really think I would leave you to find your sister’s killer on your own?”

She shook her head. “I know you won’t. But I want nothing to happen to you, Noah. To lose you now would shatter me into a million pieces.”

He drew Violet to her feet and kissed her. “Losing you would break me. We’ll watch each other’s backs and stay vigilant. Everyone is a suspect in your sister’s murder, including your aunt.”

She stared at him. “Are you serious?”

“Something isn’t right with her, and I’ve asked Zane to look deeper into her background.”

“She wouldn’t murder Cami.”

His eyebrow rose.

Violet closed her eyes for a moment, then looked at him. “You’re right. Again. Everyone is a suspect. I don’t think Aunt Rosalie is physically capable of murder, though.”

“Doesn’t prevent her from persuading or paying someone else to do her dirty work.”

“Do you really think she’s guilty of murder?”

“She’s guilty of something. I’m just not sure what yet.” He hugged Violet, holding her against him for several minutes until her body relaxed against his. “Do you want to sleep?”

She shook her head. “I’m too keyed up.”

He’d been afraid of that. Somehow, he had to help Violet get some real sleep tonight. “All right. Let’s look at the satellite photos and plan an approach to your sister’s apartment building.”

When he started to release her and grab his laptop, Violet tightened her hold around his waist. “Thank you.”

“For?”

“Being here with me.”

His mouth curved. “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than with you.” He pressed a quick kiss to her mouth, then said, “Come on. Let’s study the photos Zane sent.”

An hour later, Grant and Rayne joined them in the sitting room. “Did you get any rest at all?” Rayne asked Violet.

She shrugged. “A cat nap.”

“You wouldn’t let us get by with that.”

“I know. I’ll sleep after we return from Cami’s apartment.”

Rayne rounded on Noah. “Make her.”

Right. Like that would work on his strong-willed lady. “I’ll take care of her.”

“Any updates while we slept?” Grant asked.

Noah told them about Melton digging into his background and asking Zane to run a deeper search into the lawyer’s background and his continued suspicion of Rosalie Trevelyan.

---