Page 92 of Knox

Time to go.

Knox stood and moved toward the door. I fought the urge to pull him back to bed. If I could keep him here where it was safe, we could pretend the world outside didn’t exist.

“I love you,” I whispered.

Knox turned to face me, something raw and vulnerable crossing his expression. “Say that again.”

“I love you.”

Knox returned in one long stride, cupping my face and kissing me deeply. I fell back and he climbed over me. “I love you too,” he murmured against my mouth. “When I get back here, I’m going to show you exactly how much.”

His phone chimed again. Insistent.

Knox groaned against my neck.

I laughed, even as my throat tightened. “Go. Find her. Then come home to me.”

“Always.” Knox climbed off the bed, grabbed his gear, and headed for the door.

He paused in the doorway, looking back. “Lock the doors. All of them.”

“I will.”

“And call me if anything feels off. Anything at all.”

“Knox.” I smiled, trying to ease the tension in his shoulders. “I’m okay.”

Something flickered across his face. Doubt, maybe. Or residual fear.

But then he nodded. “You’re right. I’ll see you this afternoon.”

“Stay safe,” I called after him.

“You too.”

The front door closed. The deadbolt clicked.

And I was alone.

Chapter 30

Sloane

Agent Darvis called at eight sharp to share the news Nash had already delivered last night, and to set my arrival at the local sheriff’s department for ten.

I showered and dressed, choosing jeans and a sweater. The wind was heavy outside my window, bending trees and whistling around the doorframes. According to my weather app, a cool front had moved in while I slept. Hopefully, the angry gusts wouldn’t impede the search for the missing woman.

Knox had texted twice already. Updates from the field. Local shops had set up tables to provide search teams with hot coffee and portable snacks, like Duck Donuts and egg sandwiches. Deputy Lennox, the deputy the sheriff initially paired with Knox hadn’t shown up, but the sheriff took his place, which Knox preferred. Knox hadn’t mentioned the weather, and I imagined little would stop him from doing this work. Everything was moving along as expected.

I couldn’t wait to join the search.

I checked my watch. It was too early to leave and arrive at ten, but I was eager to get through this part of the day and join Knox. He and Maggie, Colton and Archer, Sheriff Sullivan and the deputies. There was a real chance of helping this woman. Walter hadn’t had much time with her. I imagined he’d grabbed her in an act of rage after failing to reach me. Lashing out instead of making a plan.

If he stashed her somewhere, we might still find her alive.

I checked my watch again, never good at waiting. “What the hell.” I poured the rest of my coffee down the sink and grabbed my things. Maybe Agent Darvis could fit me in a little early if I was already there.

The garage was cool and dim when I entered through the interior door. My Audi sat where I’d left it days ago, and I climbed behind the wheel, tossing my purse onto the passenger seat.