Page 54 of Deadly Attraction
Will stared off in the distance along the long, winding drive to where it met up with the county road. “She is that. A spitfire, my mom would have called her.”
“I’d cancel the ride into the park, but I need that intel for another case I’m working.”
“Can you keep her safe?”
“Like I said, it’s risky. If whoever was in the house yesterday is out there, they could get the drop on us.”
“If Goodsman only wanted to kill Emma, why leave her a present? Seems like he’s taunting her.”
“It’s probably not even him. Last I heard from my boss, he said they had a witness spot him forty miles south of here.”
“So who was in the house yesterday?”
“No idea. Seems like they’re playing a game.”
“Maybe they want to scare her, drive the doctor a little crazy? Quid pro quo for something she did to them in the past?”
Well, well, Will was a smart guy. “Makes sense.”
He stuck the hat back on his head. “My guess? Goodsman is getting some revenge and laughing about it from a place far away. I combed the woods last night and again this morning. There’s nobody out there. Whoever left that calling card yesterday did it to throw Em into a tailspin, and then they bugged out.”
“You think it’s safe then to take her with me?”
“Odds are, yes.” Will patted the top of Lady’s head who still sat next to his leg. The Labs found spots in the sun to warm themselves, their eyes darting to Mitch every so often. “I’ll keep out of sight, but I’ll cover your six.”
With Will behind them, Mitch could relax a bit. “On which horse?”
“Don’t need a horse.”
With that, Will and Lady left him standing there, both of them kicking up dust as they crossed the yard heading for the horse barn.
Inside, Mitch caught Emma in the pantry. “Which branch of the military was Will?”
She whirled in the tight quarters, protein bars in hand. “Why?”
He took the bars and set them on the shelf. “Was he Special Forces?”
She bit her bottom lip, looking up at him. “Yes, but it’s his story to tell, so that’s all I’m saying.”
Mitch put his hands on her hips and drew her close. “That’s all I need to know.”
She grinned as he lowered his lips to hers. “What are you doing, Agent Holden?”
“Showing my gratitude.” He nibbled at her bottom lip and felt his chest expand when she giggled and kissed him back.
“For what exactly?”
He didn’t want to get serious again, but he needed to tell her the truth. “For the way you listened and didn’t preach at me about letting all my shit go. I can’t let it go. I won’t.”
She brought a hand up, her fingers light on his forehead as she brushed a lock of his hair aside. “I know, and that’s okay.”
In that moment of complete acceptance, peace filled his chest for the first time in a long time. “Why don’t you want to change me, Emma?”
She gave him a sad, droll smile. “Your dysfunction enables mine. Why else?”
At least they could recognize the madness in themselves. Accept it. “I can’t promise you anything.”
“You don’t have to. I’m a big girl. I know what I’m getting myself into.”
