“He’s back in the land of the living. Found that out earlier but then, you know, you cut out so we didn’t get to bring you up to speed.” She’d turned her head back to see his reaction. “The media is buying his story about him being lost at sea, then rescued, and other fun bullshit.”
“Where is he?”
“Boston. For now. But we all know it will only be a matter of time until he comes after her.”
Their gazes locked.
“Still planning to be here?” Marie inquired silkily. “Or maybe you think things are too intense? If you’re cutting and running, do it now.”
“I’m not going any fucking place.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it. Told Chloe it was a mistake to bring in strays. She should have listened to me.”
***
“I need to sleep on my side,” Chloe said as she settled into her bed. The pillow felt soft and heavenly as it brushed against her temple and face. “Doctor’s orders.”
“Which doctor?” Reese perched on the edge of the bed. “Would it be the doctor who is now back downstairs and looking more than a little unhinged? And here I thought he’d stormed off in a huff. Someone sure came crawling home quickly.” He brushed back a lock of her hair.
“He’s not crawling. I needed to be monitored for twenty-four hours. He’s doing that job.”
“Hmmm. Do we trust him to do that job? He certainly did a piss-poor performance with his other duty. You know, the part where he was hired to protect you.”
“It’s…complicated.”
“Why not see if I can follow along?”
She closed her eyes.
“I already know about Kelly Addams. My lawyer called me before you came back here. Connected lots of dots—dots I’m sure you created for everyone.” He carefully stroked her hair. “Kelly drugged me, huh? And you found proof?”
“Yes.”
“I knew you would.”
“I think Kingston might be in jail.” She wasn’t exactly clear on what had happened to him after her run-in at the chapel. “But he’ll be out soon. I don’t believe he was involved in what happened to you.”
“Good to know.”
Chloe inhaled and exhaled slowly. She felt comforted there with him. Safe.
“There’s something you’re holding back,” Reese noted quietly.
Yes. “He…knew me. The man who attacked. He knew me.”
“A lot of killers know you. Unfortunately. You do have a bit of a reputation. If you wanted to stay anonymous, I think there were other ways to—”
“No, I mean, he knew me. My past. I thought that might be the case when I was at Lucia’s crime scene, but I hoped I was wrong.” Being right—that led to more problems.
Hinges squeaked. The bedroom door had just been opened.
“She needs her rest.” Joel’s voice. Quiet but unyielding. “You can talk in the morning.”
Her lashes lifted. She stared straight at the wall.
“I can sleep in the chair,” Reese offered quickly. “In case she needs something during the night, I will be—”
“I will be here,” Joel said. “I’ll take care of anything she needs.”
“Is that what you want, Chloe?” Reese asked. His tone said that if Joel was a problem, he’d handle the other man.
Except…Reese couldn’t handle Joel. Reese was a great actor, a true con man, and deep down, he had a heart of gold…but in a physical match, he would also come out the loser when he tangled with Joel. After his attack, Joel had made it his mission to never be a victim. He was a fighter, through and through.
“I won’t need anything,” Chloe assured Reese. “Go on to bed.”
He pressed a quick kiss to her temple. “I get that you were trying to help me,” his words were low, meant only for her to hear, “but how about you don’t put yourself in danger for me again?”
She didn’t answer, and he crept away. Once again, she heard the hinges on her door squeak.
“I guess you don’t oil them because you like knowing when someone is coming in and out of your room.”
Yes, that was the reason she didn’t oil them.
She heard the wooden floor creak beneath his feet. She expected him to take the chair near the bed. Instead, the mattress dipped a little as he climbed into the bed with her.
Her shoulders tensed.
“This will seem ridiculous,” he said. She heard him kick his shoes off. “But knowing he’s not your real brother…sometimes, I get jealous. You two are very close. Anyone can see that.”
“He’s very real.” Reese was hardly imaginary.
“Not blood-related, Chloe. Your real brother is dead. You told me that.”
“I told you…that I put a knife in his heart.” Because he’d wanted her to do it. Because he’d killed her parents. Tried to kill himself. But he hadn’t been strong enough. He’d wanted her to shove that knife into his chest.
And, at thirteen years of age, she had. “I pushed the knife in him.”
“Because he was a killer. Because he wanted to be stopped.”
She blinked away the little fog that filled her eyes. The concussion must be making her weepy. Not a side effect she’d anticipated. “He wanted me to stop him.”
“And you did.” A pause. “If something happened to me…if I went over the line the way your brother did, would you stop me?”
Her heart rate seemed to double. “You want to find the man who tortured you. Hunting a monster isn’t going over the line.”
“That’s not an answer to my question.”
Once more, she closed her eyes. “What do you want me to say, Joel? That I’ll take a knife and drive it into your chest? That I will sit there and watch as you bleed out?” Just like she’d done with her brother? “Is that what you want me to promise you?”
“Chloe…” Her name was a ragged growl.
“Because I won’t give you that promise. Because I won’t go down that road again. I will not kill someone I love, and whether you believe me or not, I do love you.”
“Baby—”
“I’m very tired. A crazed perp tried to knock my head in today, and I also had to deal with Kingston for quite a bit so that was…a lot.” She swallowed. Licked her lips. Was glad he could not see her face. “You don’t need to sleep in the bed with me.”
“I want to be close in case you need me.”
She wasn’t up to dealing with him right then. She couldn’t play clever games when she felt so empty and hollow and…afraid.
“I…can’t handle it when you’re hurt.” His voice had become even rougher.
“It’s not my favorite thing in the world, either.”
“Can I…can I put my arm around you?”
Her lower lip wanted to tremble. She bit it. Managed a nod. She knew he’d be watching her, so he’d see the movement.
Carefully, he slid closer to her. His arm curled around her stomach as she faced away from him.
“You know why I left today,” Joel rasped.
She did.
“It wasn’t because you lied.”