Page 75 of Knox

I woke with my heart pounding, disoriented in the pale dawn light. For a moment I couldn’t remember why Knox’s arm was around me, why we were in my bed fully clothed. Then it all came rushing back.

I shuddered, and Knox’s arm tightened.

“You’re safe,” he murmured, still mostly asleep. “I’ve got you.”

But I didn’t feel safe. Not really. Not when I knew a killer was out there somewhere, watching, waiting for another chance. I eased out from under Knox’s arm, my muscles stiff from sleeping tensed and ready to run. Every shadow in the room made my pulse spike. Every creak of the house settling made me flinch. Last night had proven our security wasn’t enough. He could get close enough to watch through windows, maybe even cut our power. And we’d been helpless to stop him.

I hurried barefoot to the bathroom, closing the door with a soft click.

My reflection in the mirror was wrecked. Hair tangled, mascara smudged beneath my eyes, wrinkles creasing my top from hours pressed against Knox’s chest.

I ran cold water from the tap over my hands and splashed my face, scrubbed away yesterday’s makeup. I brushed my hair and teeth, the best I could do short of a shower, but I didn’t want the water to wake him if he was able to fall back asleep.

Knox met my eyes when I emerged. Propped against the headboard, eyes tracking my movement across the room, expression unreadable in the dim light.

“Morning.” Knox’s voice was rough with fatigue, deeper than usual. “Sleep okay?”

“Better than I should have, considering.” I perched on the edge of the bed, close without touching him. “Did you get any rest at all?”

“Enough. I’m good.” Knox scrubbed a hand over his face, stubble rasping against his palm. “Nash texted an hour ago. Deputies are maintaining patrols in the area.”

“Did the sheriff say anything about the boot prints?” I asked.

“They’re analyzing them. No new details since last night.” Knox’s jaw tightened. “But the same prints were found near the power line junction box.”

An icy chill coursed over my skin. “What? Why? Did he plan to cut the power?”

“Possibly.”

“Can he do that?”

Knox shook his head. “It won’t matter here. Your home’s equipped with backup generators and the cameras don’t rely solely on the home’s electric grid.”

I slumped. “He probably figured that out and decided to terrorize me with the kite instead. What if he’d tried to get in? What if the new locks hadn’t held?”

“They would have.” Knox pulled me close. “And if they hadn’t, he might’ve been surprised to find Colton and Archer waiting for him.”

I smiled, thankful again for the Marines who’d come the moment Knox called.

Was this what it was like to have a big family?

“We should make them breakfast.”

“Nah. They’re gone. Headed back to my place to get ready for today. I have a good feeling,” he promised. “We’re going to find where he’s hiding. Then the FBI is going to end this.”

“You really think we’ll find him at the ranger station? Even knowing the sheriff has checked there?”

“I think it’s our best lead. And I get the impression this guy is watching everything, especially local law enforcement. It makes sense that he’d avoid the places on their radar. Nash says they haven’t been out there in a while, which means he could see it as a safe place now. Even if it’s just a place to park his van out of sight.”

Knox pushed a lock of hair behind my ear and caressed my cheek with his palm. “I think he’s getting too bold. Thinking he’s untouchable. That’s when we catch him.”

I turned my face to kiss his palm. “Thank you for sleeping here with me last night. I don’t think I would’ve fallen asleep otherwise.”

Knox laced together our fingers. “I liked holding you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”