“What?” he whispers.
Anthony knocks the doorframe, and it pulls me out of Jonesy’s orbit.
Fuck, I completely forgot Anthony was waiting for us.
“I’m gonna head out, you guys. Seems like you forgot about your guest anyway, whilst youwere smooching. I’m giving you a two-star rating because there were no snacks.”
“Bye, Detective Biceps,” Jonesy calls out, grinning ear to ear as if he couldn’t care less that we’ve been so rude right now.
“Anthony...” I let go of Jonesy and head to the entryway. “Thank you. I’ll send over a report once I’ve finished the interview with Maddox.”
Nodding, he opens the door. “I think he’s good for you. I still don’t like him. But I’m pleased you’re happy.”
“Thank you.” I smile. “I’ll see you in the precinct.”
I close the door, my palm flat as I brace myself for what comes next with Jonesy. Before I can turn, his palm grips my hip, his lips graze against the shell of my ear.
“Did you mean it?” His fingers snake around my middle, pulling me toward him so my back hits his chest. His lips are on my skin, trailing hot, breathy kisses along my neck and shoulder.
“Yeah, is it too soon?”
“I’ve been waiting fifteen years for this. I’ll try to stay here with you. But if you were willing to come with me, then no. I don’t think it’s too soon. I would do anything to make you happy. And if you moved across the country to be with me, I swear on my life, you’ll be the reigning champion in all our games and arguments. You’ll be the de facto winner. Forever, if you want?” He pauses before saying, “I just need you to behappy, Katie.”
“Good...” I trail a finger down his chest. “Because I think I remember you promising something about a leash?”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Jonesy
Iguide Katie through the doors to the prison entrance the following day, one hand on her lower back. I’m on high alert for any potential threat coming within an inch too close to her. But the process is standard, and we make our way through security and hand over our phones and Katie’s purse. She gets patted down by a female officer, and I get the male. I recognize him from the last time we were interviewing Connor.
“Who looks after the personal items whilst we’re in there?” I ask as he pulls my keys out of my pocket and puts them in the tray.
“I do,” Smith says.
“And it was you last time we were here?”
“Possibly, I can’t remember.” His hands slide over my arms methodically.
He’s not a tall man. Coming up to my shoulder, I tower over him and lower my voice. “If anything ends up in Dr. Murphy’s purse, if evena stray hair ends up in her possession, I will end you. Do you understand?”
“Wh...what? I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he stutters, not meeting my eye.
“Good answer. Because you’re going to guard that bag with your life. And if anyone asks for it, if anyone asks you to put anything in it, you tell me exactly who it is. Understand?”
“You don’t scare me, man. I work in a prison. I see tough guys all the time.” He gives a shaky laugh.
“Well, none of them can find you on the outside, can they? They’re all stuck in here, chained up. Whereas I can find out where you live. I can find out about your wife, your kids, your dog, and whoever else it is that you love. I can end your career here, all with a phone call. So don’t test the lengths I’ll go to keep Thomas Vale away from Dr. Murphy. Now, I’m going to ask you again. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” His chin trembles.
“Good.”
I move over to the gray waiting area, where Katie is sitting in an uncomfortable-looking plastic chair. Her eyebrows pinch together as she looks between Smith and me.
“All okay?”
“Yeah, of course. Just chatting about hockey. The Grizzlies are doing well.”
