My eyes closed, and I tried to relearn how to breathe properly. His hands kneading into my skin helped ground me. When I opened my eyes and stared into his, all I saw was his love for me.
It might not look the same as it would on anyone else, but that didn’t make me doubt it. In fact, it made me love him even more. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for me, and he proved that by killing for me—even if it had been completely unnecessary.
Because once all the pieces had slid into place, I had realized that was what he had done with Clint. He had touched me. Made me uncomfortable. And Nate had killed him.For me.
I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. But I did know one thing for sure. And that was how I felt about Nate.
About my Daddy.
Fuck, I was in love with a serial killer.
But as I leaned in and brushed our lips together, I knew no one would ever love me as completely or as fiercely as Nate.
“I love you, Daddy,” I whispered against his lips and sealed my fate.
35
AIDEN
The last thing I expected when I joined the force was that I’d one day be handing in my resignation. Especially under these circumstances. That I’d be leaving because of the person I had fallen in love with.
Not that I would want to change anything about it.
In the last week and a half since I had discovered my boyfriend was a serial killer, I’d had a lot to think about. There had been so much he’d finally shared with me and options I’d been left with. I’d been surprised when he had been adamant I had the freedom that if at any point I had second thoughts, I was allowed to walk away, even if it meant turning him in and having him arrested.
The feeling of knowing he thought I was worth that risk, the risk to his freedom, it was a heady feeling. But I knew in my heart that even if he hurt me again, I could never turn him in.
Because for me, my Daddy was worth the risk too. He was it for me, just like I was it for him.
For what I knew would be the last time, I walked into the precinct and gave Enid a sheepish smile as she went to hug me. I shook my head and she stepped back, eyeing me warily.
“Aiden Cooper, where the devil have you been? And what do you meannoto my hugs?” Her hands were on her hips as she stared at me over her glasses, which had me glancing back toward the door, wishing I could sprint back out and go back home to my Daddy. But I straightened my spine, determined to get this done.
Today.
“Sorry, Enid. You know you’re my girl.” I gave her a sheepish smile. “But with all the throwing up and everything, you know how it is. Every muscle in my chest and back feels like I twisted and rearranged it.”
She gave me a sympathetic look and squeezed my shoulders. “Aw, honey. I hope you at least let Victoria come and take care of you while you were getting better.”
I bit my lip and winced at my best friend’s name. “No, but my boyfriend was over and he took good care of me, Enid.”
Her eyes lit up like I’d given her the best present. “A boyfriend? You scoundrel! Why am I always the last to hear the good gossip?”
With a laugh, I shrugged and gave her a sheepish smile. “Sorry?”
Looking over toward my desk, where Victoria was eyeing me, I felt my resolve slipping, but I knew I couldn’t count on Enid to protect me from Vic’s clutches forever. “Well, I better get to it, I guess.”
She glanced over and gave a chuckle. “Good luck with that one, honey.”
I snorted in agreement. It was time to face the one-man firing squad.
But first, I needed to get past her and the rest of the cops in the precinct, get to the chief, and do what I had come to do.
Easier said than done. Especially when facing Victoria. But I ignored her attempts to corner me and answer her questions.This wasn’t about her. As much as I loved her and would miss her when this was over, I needed to let her go.
Turning my back to her, I greeted my other friends and colleagues. They were all happy to see me up and about, all razzing me about being down with theman fluwhen nothing else would get me. But I accepted their good-natured teasing, knowing it would be the last time. Even if they didn’t.
It felt strange knowing that I was never going to be working with them again. There was a pang of longing, as I’d miss the camaraderie that came from our time together, but I knew I was ready for the next chapter of my life to begin.
