Page 17 of Knight

"Oh, you know all my games," I chuckle. "But I'm hoping to steal a kiss from you before I go about the rest of my day."

She wraps her arms around my waist. "That could possible be arranged, depending on how nicely you ask."

Leaning down, I nose my way in, holding her chin with my thumb and forefinger. Sweeping in, I take her lips, in a kiss I've wanted since I saw her walking toward me. She lets me in, opening her mouth to me. The noise in the back of my throat is this side of a desperate groan. More than anything I'd love to take her home and bury myself inside her. Somehow be able to forget all this shit that's going on.

She clings to me, digging her nails into my shoulders. When I pull away, she holds tighter. "Kisses like that still make my knees weak, big guy."

"Good," I drop another kiss on her forehead. "If those knees ever stop being weak, then that's something I need to know. I gotta go."

"You have a job to do, but I want you to be safe. You called that guy out and now he's going to be dangerous for both you and Taylor. Please make sure you're careful. I need you to come home tonight."

"Nothing's going to keep me from coming home to you tonight," I promise her. "I'll be late, probably, but I'll be there."

"I'm going to NIck and Kels' for dinner tonight," she reminds me. "Want me to bring you a plate?"

"I'd appreciate it. I'm working with Caleb and Madden tonight. I'm hoping to see what the fuck is going on with Caleb."

"Good," she works her hands up my chest and hooks her arms around my neck. "I don't like when our kids seem to be having a rough time. He won't talk to me, but he might open up to you."

"He has slightly," I admit to her. "But it doesn't make sense, so I haven't shared it."

"None of it makes sense," she sighs. "They were so happy, what happened?"

"I wish I knew."

Together, we hold each other, and for a brief moment, we have silence that's just ours.

Chapter Fourteen

Rina

It's been a long as fuck day, but I'm so ready to see Kels and her family. It's nice to not have to go home to an empty house. I never realized how lonely it would be until the kids were gone, and then Mason gone with work. Maybe I need to take up a hobby, or something. Pulling into their driveway, I smile when I see Darren coming out the front door.

"Hey RiRi," he greets me. "Do you need help with anything?"

"I brought dessert, it's over in the passenger seat," I tell him as I get out.

"Is it the Tres Leche?" He raises an eyebrow in question.

"Would I bring anything else to a family get together?" I put my hand on my hip, giving him attitude.

"No, and there'd be mutiny," he gives me attitude right back.

"You been practicing your driving?" I put my hand on his shoulder, squeezing.

"Trying too. Mom and Dad aren't nearly as comfortable with doing it as Grandpa Mason, though."

"Back when Kels was learning how to drive, he would teach her too. I didn't have the patience or the nerves for it. He's always been good about teaching people who want to learn. I'm sure as soon as he's done with this case, he'll give you some more pointers."

He nods. "It's important he find Taylor. I talked to her the day before she went missing," he says softly.

"Oh really? What did she say to you?"

"That someone was giving her the creeps. She noticed him following her the past few days. When she got off the bus, and when she went the The Café , she saw him."

Immediately my stomach starts quivering. "Do you remember what day she said that?"

The Café has some of the best CCTV I've ever seen, and if we know what date it was, we can search the footage.

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