Page 52 of Shiver

“Bah,” he scoffed. “He didn’t even come close.” He pulled her tight and breathed deep her vanilla scent. “I want you to stay.”

Her eyes locked on his. “You’re what I’ll miss most about New Orleans.”

“If you want me as much as I want you, if you want your freedom, then take it. Don’t let anyone or anything stop you. Not even your fear.”

“But how? What can I do?”

“Fight back.”

She shook her head. “I’ve never been a fighter. I wouldn’t know where to begin. I’m not that strong.”

Riley stared at her. Was that really what she thought? “Don’t kid yourself, Devra. How many people could have dealt with what you’ve been running from all these years?”

She didn’t answer him, just ran her fingers across his collarbone, studying it as if it held the answers to all life’s secrets.

“Not many,” he continued. “They would have ended up in the loony bin blabbering to the padded walls.”

She dropped her head as another tear escaped out the corner of her eye. “Maybe that’s where I belong,” she said softly, so softly he almost didn’t hear her.

“Maybe,” he challenged.

She looked up at him, afraid and confused.

“There’s only one way to find out.”

“How’s that?” she asked warily.

“Go back to where it all started and do the research the cops never did. You’re a grown woman now, not some kid to be discounted. Find out what really happened to Tommy. Stop running and fight for the truth.”

Her eyes widened at his words. “I couldn’t.”

“Why not?”

“I’m afraid,” she admitted.

“Of what? The killer? Or that you may find out everyone was right, that you killed Tommy.”

Misery chased across her face and he knew his words had hit a sore spot. He knew what he’d just verbalized was exactly what she’d been afraid of all these years. He took her hands into his own and gave them a squeeze. “These hands are connected to a heart, which beats in time to a special soul. Your soul. I know you’re not capable of that kind of evil. You didn’t kill Tommy, Michelle or anyone else. I believe that with everything I am.”

Tears were flowing again, filling big blue eyes full of gratitude. “Please come with me,” she said softly. “I can’t face them alone.”

“Your fears?”

“My parents.”

“Oh.” He nodded understanding, knowing exactly how it felt to face a parent whose disappointment shone through his eyes like beacons in the night. “You’re stronger than you give yourself credit for.”

She shook her head. “I’m not. I can’t do it on my own. I need you.”

No one had ever said those words to him before. The warmth they inspired was totally unexpected. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Her warmth, her softness, her sweet breath on his neck as she clung to him had him considering her request. It would be disastrous for his career and he could lose his job, his reputation. And he knew that what little respect his father had left for him would be gone if they didn’t find the answers they were searching for.

But his father would also never forgive him if he let Michelle’s killer go free. Devra—and her past—held the key to that killer. And that past was in Washington.

He’d given Tony his word he’d go to the station. With Devra. “My captain wants to ask me a few questions. Tony found out about Tommy. You should come in and tell the captain the truth. It will sound better coming from you. Trust me.”

She sat back, her eyes widening. “The charges were dropped. There wasn’t enough evidence against me. How did he get his hands on juvenile records?”

“Chief Marshall’s still carrying a grudge. A big one.”

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