Page 46 of Countdown

He gripped her biceps and lightly brushed her lips with his, then gazed into her wide eyes. “You’re welcome, Raina.”

She drew in a deep breath. “Well, that was unexpected.”

He dropped his hands and frowned. “I’m sorry if I crossed a line.”

“You didn’t. Good night.”

She walked through the living room and down the hall. Vince watched her go into her bedroom, then dropped onto the couch. He was an idiot. What had led him to kiss her? It hadn’t necessarily been the physical attraction he certainly felt for her, but more of a desire to show her that he could be trusted. That she didn’t have to worry about him pushing her or hitting her or anything else she’d feared when she’d been with Kevin. “And kissing her was the way to show her that?” he muttered.

Probably not.

Then again, she didn’t seem traumatized by it either. She said he hadn’t crossed a line and she hadn’t told him to leave. Thank goodness.

But he’d watch his step from now on. Kissing her probably hadn’t been the brightest next step in the process to gain her trust—and heart. She was fighting an internal battle and he’d have to let her work it out. In the meantime, he was a big boy and needed to keep a tight rein on his feelings, practice a little self-control. He’d protect her and make sure she was safe. After they caught this Kevin dude, then maybe he could be a littlemore open with her about the fact that he wanted to take her out and show her the most romantic night of her life.

And make sure she understood that she was someone to be cherished.

And that the relationship would move at her pace.

Assuming she wanted a relationship.

He bit off a groan, then jumped when his phone dinged with a text from Holt.

You can share the cases with her. Just be sure to document anything she says and so on. You know the drill.

Vince tapped a quick reply.

Thanks. Will do.

By the way, have you talked to Penny?

About?

Anything. She’s been acting a little weird.

Weird how?

Just ... weird. Running a lot of errands lately. I’ve been working a lot so am just noticing it, but...

But what?

But nothing, I guess. If you haven’t noticed it, then it’s probably all my imagination. Talk later.

Thanks again.

Now, he had to think. While it was good he’d gotten the clearance he needed to talk to Raina about the cases, he wasn’t sure how he felt about showing her the information. Not because he didn’t trust her. It was just once she saw the picturesof the dead women, she couldn’tunsee them. Then again, she did work with victims of severe trauma, some intentional, some not. But these pictures were different. They were personal. She’d suffered some of the same injuries as the women in these photos, and it was bound to trigger the memories.

If there was anything he’d learned about Raina in the months that he’d known her, she was stubborn and liked to do things her way. That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but ... it wasn’t always a good thing either.

He sighed. And she’d be furious with him if he held something back from her. If she found out.

Which she would.

He didn’t know how, but she would.

He stood and paced to the window. Then checked the alarm and the rest of the windows. All quiet.

After a check to find Raina already asleep with her door cracked, he made himself comfortable on the couch with his weapon close by. No one was getting near Raina. Not without going through him first.

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