Page 98 of Crow
Panic seized her, and she gripped his arm.
“Don’t go out there. He could still be lurking around. I’ll call the police.”
“I’m good. Just lock the door behind me. Do not leave this house. Got it?”
“I don’t want you to go outside. I’m afraid you might get hurt.”
He cupped Angie’s face in his hands and smiled. “Don’t be afraid. I can take of myself. I’ll be back.”
Gazing into eyes that burned with determination, she let out a trembling breath. “Be careful.”
“I will.”
Then Crow smashed his lips against hers, kissing her deeply, and she clung to him, wanting to keep him close. He pulled away, swept his fingers across her mouth, then turned toward the door.
Angie followed after him and watched in horror as he pulled a gun from one of his boots before stepping into them. Fear squeezed around her heart, and she wanted to beg him not to leave. Instead, she silently stood by and watched him open the front door with caution.
“Lock it. I’ll be back.”
And then he disappeared into the night.
A chill shivered across her skin as she slumped against the locked door. Part of her wanted Crow to catch the shadow man, but at the same time, she didn’t want him to get hurt. Angie paced around the family room, changing course every couple of minutes to look through the front door’s peephole into the empty street, wishing Crow would come back. Not knowing where he’d run off to or if he was safe drove her crazy. She folded her arms across her chest and went back to pacing.
A soft knock made her jump.
“It’s me, babe.”
Angie hurried to the door and peered through the peephole. Crow stood on the porch, his face turned toward the street. She unlocked the deadbolt to let him in.
“The fucker’s gone,” he said.
“Did you see anything at all?”
A frown pinched the space between his brows as his jaw hardened. “Footprints outside your bedroom window. Part of the screen was off.”
She gripped the edge of the entry table. “I knew I didn’t imagine it. At least I didn’t think so; it all seemed too unreal.”
“Did you see him?”
“Yes, but he wore a hoodie pulled down low so I couldn’t see his face. Plus, it was dark outside. I could tell that he was tall but not as tall as you, and it looked like he was dressed all in black. I was utterly freaked out and jumped away from the window. That’s when he spoke to me.”
“What did he say?”
“‘Pretty lady, I’m coming for you.’” She rubbed the back of her neck as the memory of his voice played in her mind. “It was so creepy and scared the crap out of me.”
Crow bridged the gap between them and tugged her into his arms.
“I won’t let anything happen to you.” His mouth feathered over Angie’s brow, her nose, her cheek, and finally, her lips.
Warmth spread through her, and she tried to block out the events from the last twenty-four hours. Now that she was safely in Crow’s embrace, exhaustion had set in as her shoulders sagged with fatigue.
“You must be tired,” he said.
“I am.”
He led her to the bedroom and switched on the lamp, chasing away the shadows. She sat on the edge of the bed and looked up at him.
“Please stay. Just hold me.” Glancing down, she added softly, “Nothing more—if you don’t mind.”
Crow tucked her under the covers without saying a word, then kicked off his boots and slipped in beside her.
“Come here,” he said, drawing her close.
Angie nestled against him, her head resting on his chest, one arm lying across his waist. Warm and safe in his embrace, she closed her eyes and drifted into a deep sleep.
