Page 148 of Taken Away

Every step felt like a decision.

At the top of the stairs, he paused outside the master bedroom.

She knew what he was asking without him saying a word.

Knew this wasn’t about convenience or distraction anymore.

It was about choosing him back.

“I’m here, aren’t I?” she said.

He lifted their joined hands. Pressed his mouth to her knuckles.

“Yeah,” he said. “You are.”

He drew her into the dim room.

The door eased shut behind them.

THIRTY-THREE

Blackwood Victorian

Sheriff Burke Scott

Sheriff Burke Scott met Aubrey at the front porch of the Victorian mansion.

The yellow crime-scene tape was gone. So were the patrol cars.

The house looked exactly the same. Somehow that made it worse.

“We’ve released it,” Burke said.

She looked at the front door.

“Officially?”

“Officially.”

Neither of them moved.

Burke shoved his hands into his pockets.

“If you decide to move back in here, I want you to know we’re doing nightly patrols.”

Aubrey nodded.

“But?”

A faint smile touched his mouth.

“But I’d sleep better if you stayed with Bennett.”

Heat climbed her neck.

Burke ignored it.

“Or he stays here.”