Page 96 of Night Moves
She waved her knife. “Enough of this talking. I’m ready to take the kids and leave.”
She took a bottle of polish from her pocket, a glossy deep magenta, and grinned. Even with Drake and Erik nearly reaching Tracey, the sight of the polish nearly paralyzed Natalie.
“Passionate,” Tracey said, her tone giddy. “I figured you would try to keep the kids from me and force me to act. I chose it for you because Kirk told me how zealous you were in making sure the kids had a good home. He really respected you.” She rolled her eyes. “But your looks. You’re pretty enough. If you’d put on some makeup and style your hair, you just might be beautiful.”
Drake reached Tracey and snaked an arm around her neck, hauling her backward. She screamed and clawed at him with her free hand. Tried to stab him with the knife. Erik lunged ahead and knocked it to the floor.
Natalie felt every muscle in her body turn to liquid, and she thought she might slide to the floor like a pile of slime.
Drake eased Tracey to the wall and pressed her upper body against it.
“What’s the meaning of this?” she demanded.
“You confessed to being The Clipper,” Drake said. “That’s the meaning of this.”
“I did no such thing,” she snapped. “Now unhand me.”
“Three witnesses heard your confession.” Erik tugged her arms behind her back and secured her wrists with zip ties. “I’ve got her. Go.”
Drake hurried across the room to Natalie.
She smiled up at him. “You came.”
He knelt down next to her and took her trembling hands. She drank in the sight of him and worked hard to slow her breathing back to normal.
“Willow used her personal alarm,” he said. “The kids are in the SUV with Aiden. Willow’s freaked out though. She heard her mother and saw her with the knife.”
Natalie sighed. “I thought she might have, and I wanted to break it to her gently. But maybe hearing it straight from her mother will help Willow accept the situation better.”
“She’s still going to have a very hard time.”
“What will happen to Kirk now?”
“Good question. He’ll serve time for covering up the murders, especially since it allowed Tracey to kill another person.” He took a long breath and let it out. “I’m so glad I gave Willow the alarm. I don’t know what would’ve happened otherwise.”
His voice quivered, and it hurt to see such a strong man taken down by Tracey’s actions. She squeezed his hands. “But you did. You got here in time.”
“When I thought I might lose you…” His voice cracked, and his Adam’s apple bobbed. “I want to be with you. Kids or no kids. I don’t care. I’ll make anything work if you’ll have me.” He looked deep into her eyes, and his passion warmed her to the depths of her very being. “This isn’t exactly the most romantic time to say this, but I think I’ve fallen in love with you.” He shook his head. “I know I have.”
“I figured the same thing out,” she said. “And I also figured out that I can’t take the children. I just don’t have the time to devote to them. They need a stay-at-home mom to help them overcome the trauma. And that’s what I’m going to recommend to my supervisor in the morning.”
His eyes widened. “You’re going to work tomorrow after all of this?”
“I have to. The children need to go to authorized care, and I need to find out if I have a job.”
“If we can help ensure that in any way, let me know.” He sat back on his haunches and looked at his brother and their suspect. “Take Tracey down the hall. I have something I need to do without either of you present.”
Natalie had no idea what he had planned, but the grin Drake shared with Erik gave her an idea, and her heart rate started kicking up in anticipation.
Erik pulled Tracey away from the wall.
“Hey,” she complained. “Not so rough.”
Erik ignored her, leading her down the hall.
The moment they were gone Drake drew Natalie to her feet. He looked into her eyes and lowered his head. He was moving too slowly. Way too slowly. She cupped the back of his head and drew his lips down to hers. They were warm and wonderful. Insistent. She slid her hands down his neck and pulled him even closer. He deepened the kiss and seemed to revel in her touch, which fired her desire even more. She could hardly believe he returned her feelings.
She drew back. Reluctantly. But she had to. Kissing, though wonderful, was meaningless unless they were going to move forward.
