Page 144 of Criminally Yours

Strike clumsily climbed in beside her, and she rested against his chest.

“Why do you smell of lavender?”

“I borrowed Stal’s lotion. I didn’t smell great, and my hands were busted up from carrying a squirming Randolphdown the hill to the police. He tried to bite me the whole way.”

Millie kissed his knuckles and forearms, which were covered in bruises. “How did you know I was under attack?”

Strike explained the messages he’d received from Rylee.

“She’s a genius.” Millie smiled.

“Don’t you dare let your mum tell you online friends aren’t real friends again. She saved your life. It would have been too late if…” His voice wobbled.

“Don’t, Strike. Don’t let those thoughts in.”

“I can’t believe I didn’t realise sooner. I’m better than this. I’m never letting you out of my sight again. You’ll never leave the house. I’m doing all the food shopping. We’ll never eat out, and when we get a dog, I’ll always walk them alone.”

“Of course you will.” She chuckled.

“I’m serious.”

She kissed the beauty spot near his ear.

“As soon as I realised where Randolph had grabbed you, I ran there. I bumped into your gang of ladies, who were checking on you after they heard a man was in town looking for you. I explained what happened. Word went out to search for you. And then you screamed. They found the best path for us to get to you.”

“So you barely did anything, and all these women saved me. What’s the point of dating a bodyguard?”

“I presume your cheekiness is due to your busted head,” he sassed. “When you’re discharged, I’ll take you somewhere special to recuperate. I’ve found us a house.”

She leant up and eyeballed him. “And…?”

“It’s a surprise. You’ll love it.” With a smug grin, he pecked her on her lips and threaded his fingers with hers.

CHAPTER 62

Millie

“Are you ready?” Strike asked her giddily as he lifted her from the car.

“You’ve made me wear a blindfold from the hospital. You’ve told me to shush every time I’ve asked you a question, and now you’re asking me if I’m ready. Of course I’m fucking ready,” Millie grumped.

Her good arm was wrapped around his neck while she cradled her broken one in the sling against her chest. He jostled her slightly. The car door slammed.

“You’re very stroppy. Is this what the rest of our lives will be like? I might change my mind about this forever business,” he whispered in her ear.

“No backsies. It’s you and me now, no matter what.” He feathered kisses to her lips before carrying her a couple of steps.

“I’m taking your blindfold off. You’ll want to squeal, but remember, I have delicate ears.”

She couldn’t glare in a blindfold. “When have I ever squealed?”

“When you rode my mouth.” He was happier than ateenage Caleb after eating two packets of sweets. “And don’t glare at me.”

“I—”

“I know what you’re thinking.” He tugged at her blindfold. “Prepare to squeal.”

Her eyes became accustomed to the bright sunlight. A welcome home sign adorned the front door, and fairy lights covered the fences and bushes.