Page 115 of Love on the Line

Chapter 46

Wyatt gazed down at Anne,snuggled in a blanket on his couch as the first rays of sun shined through the window. His heart wrenched. Last night he could have lost her to that psychopath.

The dark circles under her eyes, bruises on her face, and worry lines etched across her forehead made him wish the sick freak had died. At least he was in custody, and it didn’t sound like he’d be driving his high-end cars ever again.

Poor Anne had been whisked off to the hospital, just like the night of the alley assault, and later questioned by the authorities. In the aftermath of that and surviving Devon’s attack, she had to be exhausted.

Wyatt eased onto the sofa and wrapped an arm around her. “How are you doing?”

“Okay, but your rib, is it—”

“Shh. I’m fine.” He kissed her temple and stroked her arm. “All that matters is you’re all right.”

“I was so scared. I thought I’d never see you again. Never be able to tell you I loved you and I knew Devon had put Victoria up to that crazy shit.” Anne shuddered and nestled against him.

He pulled the engagement ring out of his pocket. “I’m hoping you want this back.”

“God, yes.” She held her hand out and he slipped it on her finger. “I’m so sorry. I’ll never take this off again.”

“It’s not your fault. I saw what you walked in on. Pretty convincing, not to mention sick.” On both Devon and Victoria’s parts. She sure seemed to relish every second of what she’d done.

Anne shook her head. “I can’t believe all the horrible things Devon did, meanwhile walking around like some sort of patron saint, fooling everybody.”

Wyatt’s phone dinged, and he stood. “John’s here. He promised to brief us as soon as he could.”

Anne picked up her mug, and Wyatt opened the door for John. His bloodshot eyes, five o’clock shadow, and wrinkled clothes were clear indicators he hadn’t slept either.

“You want some coffee?” Wyatt asked.

John nodded. “More than a junkie craving a fix.”

“Have a seat, and I’ll bring you some.”

“Thanks.” John walked to the family room and took the chair across from Anne. Wyatt brought him a cup and sat beside her on the couch.

“How are you holding up?” John asked.

Anne leaned against Wyatt. “Better now that the monster’s in custody.”

“I’m sorry he got to you. It shouldn’t have happened.” John frowned.

“Stop. You and Wyatt keep apologizing. No one could have predicted this. Devon was insane. If anything, I’m the one who should have known. I spent the most time with him.”

“Well, I can’t change it, but I can make sure he never walks free again.” John took a sip of coffee. “Everything I’m telling you is off the record because this is an ongoing investigation, so keep it between us.”

“Understood.” Wyatt squeezed Anne’s shoulder.

John continued, “We found the recordings he had from both of your places and what’s on them would be enough to put him away even without the physical evidence we have now.”

Wyatt’s skin crawled, and his hands itched to get another chance to punch the psycho. Twisted fuck had listened to their private conversations. “What physical evidence?”

“Last night, I sent a unit to Blackwood’s storeroom, and two cops were already there in response to a nine-one-one call his partner had made. Turns out, the guy had found a box of what we think are souvenirs from people Blackwood killed.”

Anne shivered. “Must be the ones he bragged about. His own family, some poor woman, and the guy who attacked me.”

“That was Capello. The DNA test came back positive on him from the assault in the alley. Now, we think an earring in the box might have been his. We sent it out to test for matches to him and Blackwood.” John glanced at Anne. “We also found out more about the bet.”

“Was his partner the one he’d made it with?” Wyatt rubbed Anne’s arm.

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