Probably the case files—right on time.
The nightly routine of kicking my boots off, downing a couple glasses of whiskey, and passing out on the couch to classic rock sounded really good about then.
I flipped the light on and threw my leather coat on the counter.
God, I wished it were as simple as coming back to Port Grey, fix my mistakes with her, and move on. But it wasn’t, and that made it feel like I was cracking in two.
I grabbed the half-empty bottle of whiskey and a tumbler from the night before off the counter and traipsed to the living room, where I’d set up a sort of investigation hub. I’d spread the folders filled with the case files over my coffee table to try and make sense of this mess—establish a pattern. I’d even gone so far as to make a murder map of the coast and pinpoint each victim, and from the looks of it, Port Grey was the epicenter… or his home base.
Fucking fantastic.
A total of six girls had shown up so far, with four of them directly in the city limits. Too close to home. Too close to her.
I collapsed onto the couch, bottle and glass still in one hand, pulling out my phone with the other.
The message from earlier wasn’t from the captain. It was from Maggie.
I clicked the notification and, to my surprise,found a picture of her wearing nothing but a playful smirk and a few bubbles in the bathtub. My dick woke up with a single surge.
I thumbed out a response.
Jesus Christ, Max. Do you have any idea how goddamn hard I’ve been since seeing you in town? Contemplated jacking it onto a Christmas tree just so I could make it through my shift.
What are you trying to do to me?
As much as I wanted to rub one out to the image of her beautiful body… I had to solve this case.
My phone chimed again.
Max: Hunter and I want you to come over tonight.
Really?
I wasn’t catching that vibe from him.
Yes, it’s fine. He just wasn’t expecting to see you there today.
…on top of me.
Fair.
I had to wait for the extra info on the new girl from Nettles anyway, and itwouldbe a good way to pass the time.
Ah—fuck it.
When do you want me there?
4?
Was it the best idea? No. Would it bring me any closer to finding the asshole that couldn’t keep his hands off girls like her? Also no. But would it most likely end with my heart on a platter displayed relentlessly for the world to poke at as I crumbled to pieces wishing I was the only one in her life? Probably. Was I going to torture myself again? For her?
Absolutely.
chapter 11
LIES IN THE RUINS
Maggie
