Page 44 of Colorado K-9 Rescue
Following the sound of his voice, Mckenna found him in his office. He didn’t realize she was there and was pacing back and forth, running his fingers through his hair again. Was it about the break-in to her house?
“I want them found. Now. Both of them. Use your app, find the ankle monitor and let me know when you have them. I need to speak with them immediately.” Evan hung up and dropped his phone on the desk, back still turned to Mckenna.
“Hey, there,” she said softly, hoping she wasn’t startling him.
He turned around and his face went from serious to happy. “Hi.”
They stood staring awkwardly at each other until Mckenna couldn’t stand it. She walked up to Evan and gave him a long, slow kiss, her hands exploring and caressing his chest. She didn’t think she’d ever get tired of him. Pulling back and wondering about his phone call, she asked, “Any news on my house? Did the evidence team find anything?”
“No, nothing yet,” Evan said, a little out of breath after their kiss. His fingertips rubbed underneath her shirt, massaging her back and then finding their way down her legs. “I put a rush on processing the journal, but I don’t think the lab will get to it until tomorrow at the earliest. I’ll keep bugging them, though. And I asked one of the evidence team members to bring some of your clothes. I hope that’s okay, but I figured you didn’t want to go into the office tomorrow with what you were wearing.”
Mckenna glanced down at her shorts and top that she’d changed into when she’d returned home earlier. At the time,she’d thought she’d have a relaxing evening. Despite the scare in her home, she didn’t mind that she had ended up here at Evan’s house. “It would be better to wear something more professional. Who were you talking to just now?”
“What? Oh, that was nothing. Just another case I’m working.”
Over the past few days, Mckenna had learned many things about Evan. She could understand his body language and had a feeling he wasn’t telling her the truth about the phone call, but she didn’t push. It wasn’t like she was telling him everything she was working on. “I let Mocha out. I think he’s back on your couch. Do you want me to tell him he needs to sleep somewhere else tonight?”
A sly grin crossed Evan’s face, and as he leaned closer to Mckenna, her back was up against the wall. “I think he’s just fine. I think we should let sleeping dogs lie, as the saying goes. You, however, I have other ideas for.”
Mckenna’s heart pounded as Evan tucked some of her hair behind her ear and kissed her gently. Her body responded.
“You make me feel safe. Thank you,” Mckenna said when they parted.
“I will always keep you safe. I’m going to figure out who this kidnapper is and make sure this time he’s not out in eight years.”
“Can you really promise that?” Mckenna asked.
“I don’t know, but know that I’d do anything for you,” Evan said, picking her up and carrying her upstairs. “First, though, I want to see that tattoo again.”
CHAPTER 28
Early morning sunlight filtered through the slat blinds in Evan’s room. He woke to Mckenna’s soft breathing next to him. She was perfect in every way, and the night before had been like nothing he’d ever experienced. He wanted to call in sick to work and not leave the house, but the phone call he’d had with Keith Warren last night ran through his mind. That was enough to get him out of bed and heading to the shower.
Keith had told him that Toby’s ankle monitor must be malfunctioning—he couldn’t bring up a location and neither Toby nor Rex was at their house.
Evan had been furious, but he knew that sometimes malfunctions happened with monitors. The person might not even realize it until their probation officer showed up on their doorstep, but the fact that no one seemed to know where they were bothered Evan. Maybe one of them had broken into Mckenna’s house. Maybe Toby never did cover for Rex because they were working together.
There were so many maybes.
He heard Mckenna stir, and he knew he had to admit it—he was in love. He’d do anything to protect her—even give up his own life for her. There were too many unknowns with this investigation, and he wanted answers.
Now.
If something happened to her, he would never be able to live with himself.And how are you going to live with yourself ifyou get the promotion and move? Are you willing to break her heart for your career?
Evan sighed and started the water for the shower. Right now, the less she knew the better, and not only about his promotion, but the case as well. That might be a way to keep her safe. What she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her. He knew she wanted this resolved—probably even more than he did—and he would do anything to help find the kidnappers. He never should have let her come with him to Penny Gardner’s home, which was a big mistake. It had brought her too close to the investigation and could be what prompted the break-in and taunting by the kidnapper.
For now, he had to separate her from the case. Maybe even talk to her boss about assigning someone else as Lily’s victim specialist, although that would make Mckenna furious. However, it would be worth it if it meant she wasn’t harmed. He could beg forgiveness later.
And he wanted her to stay with him until he could find Toby and Rex. As he waited for the water to warm up, and watched her sleeping, he realized he wouldn’t mind if she wanted to stay with himafterToby and Rex were caught.
Stretching, Mckenna woke up to Evan’s side of the bed empty again and the shower running. She smiled and hugged a pillow to her chest. She was in love. She was certain. There was no one else like Evan. No one made her feel the way he did. But what if Cassidy was right… What if he was using her and was going to break her heart by leaving? What if once this case was over, he would move on and not want to be with her? What-if after what-if kept running through Mckenna’s mind until she wanted to scream into the pillow.
But Cassidy couldn’t be right. Everything with Evan seemed real. Perfect. Or maybe she wanted it to be that way. Maybe she was setting herself up for a heartbreak but, for now, she’d take that risk.
She thought about last night, when she’d asked Evan about his phone call. Was he talking about Toby and Rex? He’d said no, but she knew he wasn’t being honest and that bothered her. Was he holding back to protect her? Or was he really working on another case?
Getting out of bed, Mckenna decided there was one way to get her mind off all these thoughts—she went and joined Evan in the shower.
