Page 15 of Viper

He rounded the vehicle, pulled open the passenger door, and placed her on the seat. Without the warmth of his body to protect her, the cool air danced over her wet dress, making her nipples pucker.

“He killed that woman—Annamay Lewis,” she blurted, needing Craig’s words off her chest and out of her head.

Viper’s mouth hardened. “He admitted that?”

Tears for the poor woman rushed to her eyes. She’d read the news article. Annamay had had several shark bites, but authorities weren’t convinced that was the cause of death.

She nodded. “I-I need to tell the police.”

“On it.” Troy leaned across her and removed his phone from the center console. As he reached for the device, his brawny arm brushed over her ribs. His scent, patchouli mixed with saltwater, flooded her senses.

She rested her hand on his bicep. “You didn’t tell me why you’re here.”

He froze, his body so close to hers. His gaze skimmed her face. The interior light illuminated the vibrant blue eyes that rivaled the ocean depths she loved so much.

His focus shifted to her mouth then lingered over her chest.

Her breath hitched in her throat. Her nipples responded instantly and goosebumps erupted from head to toe.

He jerked his gaze back to her face. “We’ll talk after.”

Straightening, he brought his attention to his phone and dialed, then pressed the device to his ear. The clipped tone of a 911 dispatcher reached her ears. Troy rattled off a brief explanation of what had happened and provided their location.

He paced away from the vehicle and appeared to be answering questions as he walked small circles in the parking lot.

A few minutes later, he returned, his expression grim. “They’ll be here soon. You doing okay?”

She nodded.

He opened the back door of the truck, and she heard a zipper opening. He returned to her open door and leaned against the frame, passing her a dry shirt which she fit over her head. He cracked the lid off a bottle of water and passed it to her.

The cool liquid reawakened her tired eyes. She chugged half the bottle as they waited in silence. She was grateful he wasn’t asking her any more questions.

Sirens split the air and a few seconds later, a squad car and an ambulance rushed into the parking lot.

Troy’s reassuring hand covered her shoulder. “Let’s get this over with. Then we’ll get you dry clothes and rest.”

She bit her bottom lip again, wishing she didn’t have to explain everything that’d happened but wanting Craig caught more than anything.

She’d narrowly escaped a murderer. Annamay hadn’t been so lucky—and she’d do everything in her power to make sure Craig paid for his crime.

If Paige weren’t so shaken up, she’d tell Troy to chill out. Not that he’d listen. He stood with his arms folded across his chest, glaring at the young officer taking her statement.

She sat in the passenger seat of Troy’s truck, the door wide open while she spoke to the officer standing beside Troy. A paramedic had already checked her over and the Coast Guard had been dispatched to Craig’s boat over thirty minutes ago.

If she had to sit here for much longer, she’d probably faint.

“And where did you meet Craig again?”

“She answered that already,” Troy interjected rudely. “Twice.”

“Sorry, but we need to be thorough.”

Paige gave the officer a reassuring smile and repeated what she’d already told him. Seemingly satisfied, he flipped his notebook closed and tucked it into his pocket. “We’ll be in touch in a day or two. Will you still be in Florida?”

She nodded. “My flight leaves on Tuesday.”

“I’m sure you’ll hear from us before then if we need anything else.”