Page 37 of Keeping Ava

“I was going to tell you, Detective.” The use of my title cuts more than the lie. “To be completely honest with you...” at the raise of my brow, her eyes narrow “...I haven’t checked my email in months. Since the night before I found him—”

“Three months?”

“Yes.” My anger deflates at the sight of Ava’s bottom lip trembling. I feel like the world’s biggest asshole. “My phone and laptop...everything electronic I could use to check my accounts was confiscated to be monitored in Lubbock. I have no clue who has it now or if I’ll ever see those devices again, but more importantly, I wasn’t hiding this from you or anyone. It actually scared me yesterday when I used your laptop to get—”

“Why check yesterday?” I ask quietly, carefully. I’ve done enough already and don’t want her to become afraid of me.

“There’s a folder in my GDocs account with cake recipes, and I wanted to surprise you.” No sooner has the last word slipped past her lips that I’m around the desk and pulling her against me. She struggles a bit as tears gather at the edge of her eyes, but I don’t let go. Instead, I bring her closer and lift her off the floor, feet dangling and chest against my own.

“I’m sorry.” And I am. More than anything. “Please forgive me, sweetheart. My head is running in a million directions, and that’s no excuse.” Laying my forehead on hers, I breathe in her small exhales. Take her essence into my lungs. “Seeing his words angered me, and I should never have talked to you that way. It’ll never happen again.”

“Can I kick you if you do?”

“Would you like to do so now?” I’d take anything she did; I was an ass.

Ava shakes her head, lips still sad. “No.”

Instead of talking to her, I jumped the gun.

I’m anxious because this sick son of a bitch is still out there with a missing girl and getting help from those that wear a uniform like mine. Because the woman I love is in danger, and they are forcing us to sit here like sitting ducks.

There’s no denying how I feel. How consumed by her I am.

I’m getting her out of here. Have to, no matter the cost.

Lifting her chin with the tips of my fingers, I give her lips a chaste kiss while wiping a lone tear with the pad of my thumb. “I’m going to make this right. I promise you.” Another small peck and I pull back, releasing her from my hold, and once she’s found her footing, I turn to leave. “My Mom’s house in Colorado will do until I can figure out our next stop—”

“Don’t go.” Her choked words stop me. They make me turn to face her, and the crestfallen look on her face guts me. “I forgive you. I know we’re all under so much stress...just please.”

Turning to face her, I give her a reassuring smile. “Ava, I’m just going to make a phone—”

“I need you.”

Chapter 12

Elijah

Her plea to not leave breaks me in two.

It makes me feel like a king one second and an asshole the next. I did that to her. Brought the worry from that first night back into her eyes when all I should do is be the reason she smiles.

Why she lives again.

I can’t fight this pull any longer. I’m done.

In two quick strides, I reach out for her hand and pull her against my chest, holding tight. She trembles but never pulls away. Instead, she moves closer when a deep rumble climbs its way up my throat and our eyes meet.

It’s there in her stare. How those succulent lips part and a tiny gasp leaves her throat.

We’re hungry. Longing. Needing the other.

She’s mine.

“Baby, I need to know what you need? I need you to be very clear with me.”

“You. I just need you.” It’s breathy and oh so sweet. “I want to be yours. I’m done fighting this between us.”

My reply is just as honest. Without thinking twice, I take her mouth with mine. “Fuck,” I groan against her, almost shaking as that pure decadence that is Ava hits my senses. I’m gone, metaphorically lying at her feet as I take what will always be mine. Because after all this is over, I’m keeping her. I’ll do everything I have to do to convince her. “Are you sure? Because there’s no going back after this.”

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