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“Not sure I can really be called normal, Rue, but that’s beside the point. What happened?”
“Nathan didn’t tell you?”
“I want to hear it from you.”
She sighs and turns to look at me. “Everything was fine during the movie. It was quiet, you know? It was good to be out of the house. It wasn’t until we got up to leave that the lights went out, and the footage of me laying in that stupid grave started playing.”
I reach across and wrap my hand around her thigh.
“After that, it was a video of me sleeping at home in my bed,” she says, her voice cracking.
“Hey, you’re okay. We’re going to my place. You’ll be safe there, I promise. That motherfucker will never get to you with me in the way.”
“He was in my room, Valen. What if he did more than just film me?” she whispers.
I turn to look at her quickly before taking the road that leads to my house. “It’s not his MO,” I remind her. “Whatever the motive is, it’s not sexual. None of the victims were sexually assaulted, from what the doctors and medical examiners could determine.”
She nods jerkily. “I know. I do know that, but I still feel violated.”
“Because he took your safe space from you. Well, fuck that, I’ll make you another one.”
She slides her hand over mine and links our fingers. “How can I be both angry and relieved that you came back?”
“I’ll always come back, Rue. No matter what. I’m sorry I didn’t call.” I lift her hand and press a kiss to the inside of her wrist.
“I don’t want to take over your life. I thought my issues were finally getting to you.”
“Never,” I answer vehemently as we pull up outside the house.
I grab her bag from the trunk and throw it over my shoulder, moving around to open her door. She’s pulling her boots on, so I wait until she’s done before holding out my hand to her. She takes it with one of her own and grabs her jacket with the other.
I lead her up the steps to the house, letting go of her to unlock the door. I push it open and wait for her to walk past me before following her in. Dropping the bag near the door, I walk up behind her and spin her around, pinning her to the wall.
“No more dates with anyone but me.”
She swallows, but she doesn’t argue. “Okay, Valen.”
“Good girl.”
She blushes and dips her head before she laughs. I follow her line of sight and see her laughing at my feet.
“I know. I forgot to take another pair of shoes to the office.” I wiggle my toes and feel them press against the worn out material.
“I think it might be time for a new pair.”
“I like these.”
“Oh, I can tell.” She grins as I pick her up.
She wraps her legs around my waist as I slide my hands underneath her ass. I carry her into the living room before I sit on one of the sofas with her straddling my lap. She’s quiet for a minute before she finally looks up at me.
“I think we need to talk.”
Chapter Eighteen
Rue
My first thought when I saw the image of me sleeping was that Valen took it. He’s the only person I know who has a key to my place. But it was that same thought that made me pause. Valen Ward may be many things, but dumb isn’t one of them. If he wanted to kill me, he could have done it without incriminating himself. Hell, I only know he has a key because he told me and let himself in when I was awake. Why do that when it would just mean more fingers pointing his way?
