Page 47 of Landon (In Safe Hands)
Isettle for giving her a quick hug. “Did you get a new car?”
“Yes,did you kill Arlen George?”
Ittakes a moment for her words to sink in. “I, why would you ask me that?”
Herarms fold across her chest. “Because I’m not stupid. You work for anorganization that deals with predators, you were pissed when you found out whathappened to Colin, and you called someone to arrange his security. Then youdisappeared. Today, they found his body in the river. I want to know the truth.Did you have anything to do with it?”
Thisis the first time in my life I truly don’t know what to say. I know any futureI could have with this woman rests on my response, and I doubt lying to her isthe right answer, but I’m handing her the power to send me to prison if I comeclean.
Witha sigh, I look into her golden brown eyes. “Yes.”
Herwide eyes and the way she takes a step back tell me she may have suspected, butshe didn’t really believe it. “This…is this what ISH does? Kills pedophiles? Ohmy god. How many people have you? You know what? Never mind. I have to get outof here.”
Ican’t let her go while she’s in a panic. “Zoe, stop. I’ll tell you everythingyou want to know.” At least she doesn’t flinch away when I grab her wrist. Shemay be freaked out, but she isn’t afraid of me. “Please…just…let’s sit on theporch,” I plead.
Aftera second of hesitation, she nods and follows me to the wooden porch swing. “Doyou remember when we were watching the program about child molesters and yousaid they should be put to death? Did you mean that?”
“Yes,but-”
“Justlet me explain. Yes, I pushed him off of the bridge. No, I’ve never killedbefore, and I don’t want to ever again. ISH isn’t a group of serial killers. Wereally do report the offenders to the police department…most of the time. But,Zo, there are some guys who are nothing but a threat. Repeat or extremelyviolent offenders that the courts just keep releasing back into society. Inthose rare cases, we take them out before they can target another child.
“ArlenGeorge had a rap sheet a mile long. He’s been molesting and raping kids sincehe was a teenager. He’s spent half his life in prison, yet was able to get outand abuse your brother’s friend. He never would’ve stopped.
“Isaw how devastated Ethan was and how it affected you as well. I watched youleap into action and report it to social services. I couldn’t just stand thereand do nothing when I knew we could help, but I only intended to report him tothe cops until I found out about his past.”
Zoeremains quiet throughout my explanation and for a few minutes after I finish.I’ve never been so nervous in my life. Finally, she shakes her head. “He did itbefore and they let him out. This never should’ve happened to Colin. I know youdon’t know him, but he’s a sweet kid, funny and quiet.” She turns, a blazinglook on her face. “Thank you,” she says fiercely.
Willthis woman always be able to surprise me? I expected fear, disgust, or horror.She’s thanking me? She gets to her feet. “You never have to worry about metelling anyone. I should go.”
“Don’t.Stay with me. I’ve missed you.” My fingers wrap around her wrist, but sheresists when I try to pull her down beside me.
“I’mnot stupid, Landon. You want to fuck. Then when you get bored, I won’t hearfrom you again. Sorry, but I have a little more self-esteem than that.”
She’strying to sound pissed, and I’m sure she is, but all I can hear is the hurt inher voice. The pain that I put there. “I know. I know it was an asshole moveand I’m sorry. I know I should let you go. I should leave you alone to live anormal life with someone who doesn’t have to hide in a shitty hotel. And Ithought I could, but these weeks without you have been torture. You’re all Ican think about. I’m sorry I ignored you, but I’ve never been in love before,and I didn’t know what to do. I thought I was doing what was best for you—andmaybe I was—but I’m selfish and I love you and I want you back.”
Hergaze meets mine as she sits down on the swing beside me and whispers, “Say itagain.”
Myfingers slide around her neck, delving into the soft hair on her nape. “I wantyou back.”
“Notthat, you asshole.”
Laughing,I pull her into my arms. “I love you.”
“It’sabout damn time.”
“Comehome with me, Ms. Difficult. I need you in my bed tonight. I’m going to lickevery inch of you.”
Moonlightsparkles in her eyes when she sits back and replies, “I’ve missed you, too,Dumbledore.”
“Whothe hell is Dumbledore?”
“Theheadmaster, duh.”
ChapterEleven
Zoe
Wow.I came here worried Landon was a murderer, and left with it confirmed, his armtucked around me. I suppose I should be scared, worried that if a man can killonce, he won’t hesitate to do it again, but I’m not afraid of Landon. I knowhe’d never hurt me, or any innocent person. I want to know more about ISH,about the risks he takes, and what I may be risking by being with him, but nowis not the time. I just want to revel in the feeling of his warm arm around me.No matter how busy I’ve kept, or how much I tried to forget him, to pretend Ididn’t care, I missed the hell out of him.
