Page 98 of Night Prey
Ian continued to search the area with his scope. “Okay. Stay by my side, and we’ll move toward my car.”
He stepped out, and she marveled at his concentration and commanding presence in such a dangerous situation. He was her hero. She would tell him that, but not now. When this was over, she would thank him in every way she could think of.
They stepped across the thick gravel. He kept his rifle up and unlocked the doors with his key fob.
“Back seat, please,” he said not looking at her. “And on the floor.”
“You really think Flagg is coming down here?”
“I can’t take a chance with your life, Malone.” He took a long tortured breath, the first hint that he was upset. “Never with your life.”
The intensity of his conviction made her heart swell with a feeling she never knew before. Love for a man. Not just any man but this special man. The one who seemed uncertain in many ways, but when it came to life-or-death matters, he showed up. Showed up big time.
She climbed into the back and lay down on the floor.
He closed the door and stood guard. Time ticked by, the only sound was trees swaying in the strong wind that had kicked up. She focused on the sound to keep from giving in to the weakness invading her body.
She didn’t want to fall apart.
She had to focus. To think clearly. Not be a weak, sobbing woman who made things harder for Ian. The man she owed her life to.
To Ian, but mostly to God. He’d brought Ian into her life. Her protector.
She closed her eyes and lifted her face.
Thank You for saving me, Father. Thank You. Let someone arrest Flagg so he doesn’t hurt anyone else. And protect those who are going after him.
She heard Ian talking to someone. Probably Londyn again.
Through the glass, she watched his shoulders sag, and he lowered his rifle. She waited for him to let her out of the car, but he ran a hand over his head, then took another of those breaths he’d taken earlier.
He opened the door and offered her a hand. The man who’d only a moment ago looked so strong and confident now had a gaze filled with pain that she couldn’t explain. “Flagg’s in custody. Londyn will go to the precinct and process him. I’ll take you home, if that’s where you want to go.”
She clasped his hand and came to her feet. She expected him to reach out for her, but he went to his trunk and placed his rifle inside. What was with this professional approach? Was that still what he wanted, even after what they’d just gone through? If he cared about her as she cared about him, he wouldn’t be able to remain so impassive, would he?
She followed him, and the moment he secured the trunk, she slid her arms around his neck and drew his head down for a kiss.
His lips went from cold and resistant to insistent and demanding in an instant. He crushed her body to his, his arms holding her firm. She reveled in his touch and slid her hands into his hair to hold him close.
The kiss intensified.
Oh, wow!She wished they were anywhere else but near this place that had almost become her grave.
“Ah, Detective,” the construction worker said. “You still need me, or can I get going?”
Ian lifted his head and looked dazed for a moment. “Do you have a card with your contact details, Vern?”
“In the truck. Let me grab it.” Vern walked away.
Ian put his focus back on her. “I guess we’d better hold off for a few more minutes.”
She traced his rugged jaw with her finger.
“Keep doing that, and I’ll make a spectacle of myself.” He laughed and caught her hand and kissed it.
Ah, yes.That was more like it.
Vern came back and shoved the card into Ian’s hand.
