“You don’t believe me.”
“I believe youwantto.”
“Listen to me,” he said.“I have to leave, and I’m sorry about that.As soon as it’s safe, I’ll come back to you.”
“What if it’s never safe?”
“Then I’ll pine away for you forever.”
“Damn you,” she said softly.
“I don’t expect you to do the same.”
“You don’t expect me to stay single?”
“No.”
“But that’s what you’ll do?”
“Yes.”
She touched her lips to his neck, tasting salt.“I won’t wait my whole life for you to come back to me, Paul McPherson.”
“All right.”
“You can’t do it, either.”
“I don’t have a choice.You’ve ruined me for other women.”
When his mouth closed over hers, she melted against him.She kissed him back with all of the love and passion and tenderness she hadn’t allowed herself to feel before.He twined his tongue around hers and buried a hand in her hair.Tears streaked down her cheeks, mixing with their kiss.
Then the door burst open and Kyle McPherson walked in.“What the fuck is this?”he asked Wade.“My brother is injured, and instead of getting medical attention he’s in here making out with the sheriff’s daughter?I’m calling my lawyer.”
“Calm down,” Paul said.“I’m fine.”
Vanessa tried to get up, and he clamped an arm around her waist.
“I love you,” he said in her ear.
She wanted to say the words back to him, but her throat closed up and she could only nod her head.When he released her, she rose from his lap and gathered the first-aid kit.They exchanged a final glance, fraught with emotion, while Kyle continued to make demands.Tears blurred her vision as she turned and fled the room.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Paul left LostLake within minutes of his brother’s arrival.
Kyle hadn’t endeared himself to local law enforcement during his short visit to the station.As soon as Paul signed his statement, the McPhersons were escorted from the premises.Two squad cars followed them to the outskirts of town, perhaps to ensure their safe departure.Their first stop was an ER in San Antonio, where Paul was evaluated by a physician.An MRI revealed that the tendon in his shoulder was strained, not torn.He was ordered to keep his arm immobile and rest the muscle for six weeks.
They continued to an FBI field office in downtown Houston.Kyle drove through the night, chugging coffee to stay awake, while Paul stared out the window and reflected on his predicament.He didn’t want to testify against Aiden Mendez or enter a witness protection program.He’d been honest in his official statements, but he hadn’t gone into detail.Although Paul knew his assailant was Mendez, he wouldn’t swear to it.The man who’d accosted him had been wearing a mask.The man he’d encountered in Houston had been similarly attired.Paul couldn’t identify the suspect.He’d never seen his face.
Paul stuck to his story when he sat down with two FBI agents.If they wanted to prosecute Aiden Mendez, they’d have to find some physical evidence.Paul had spent two months hiding from the Mendez family and that was enough.He was done with them and he hoped they were done with him.
As far as Paul was concerned, justice had been served.Aiden Mendez had saved his life.He was a hero, not a villain.
After a few hours of fruitless interrogation, Paul was released and they hit the road again.Kyle drove in broody silence.It was dark when they arrived in Katy, their hometown.Paul gazed out the window as they passed the old family ranch.Paul hadn’t set foot on that land in over a decade, though he came to the local cemetery every year to pay his respects.
“What are we doing here?”Paul asked.
“You’ll see.”
