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“That’s not how he works, and you know it.”
“Do I?”
Emmett sighed. “He was hired to do a job, and he did it. And as twisted as it sounds, the guy has rules.”
“He kills people for a living,” he shot back.
The prick also kidnaps and tortures innocent women.
A haunted look darkened his team leader’s gaze. “I know what he does.” Emmett swallowed. “And I know who and what he is. I’m just saying . . . Crawford could have easily killed Detective Boone, but he didn’t. Why? Because Lincoln wasn’t on his list.”
“But Devon was.”
“Not to kill.” His friend shook his head. “He needed her for bait, which worked, so as far as he’s concerned, she served her purpose.”
Blake looked back at him. “Meaning there’s no reason for him to come after her again.”
“Exactly.”
A beat passed before Blake spoke up again.
“I get what you’re saying. I really do. It’s just . . .”
“What?”
“I don’t know.” His shoulders fell. “I guess I’m just trying to understand how he thinks. If I can do that, I might be able to figure out his next steps.”
“You mean, you can figure out if he plans to go back for Devon.”
“She’s a loose end.”
“If Crawford wanted her dead, she’d already be in the ground.”
The image those words created made Blake flinch.
“She’s a good person, Emmett. She doesn’t deserve to live the rest of her life looking over her shoulder.”
“That’s all true, but she’s also not your responsibility.”
“I know.” He rubbed a hand over his jaw.
Silence stretched between them before Emmett spoke up again.
“You like her.”
Blake’s eyes met the other man’s knowing gaze. He could have easily lied but he didn’t.
“Yeah.” He nodded. “I do.”
“I could tell.”
Blake frowned. “Then why bother asking?”
“I wanted to hear you say it out loud.”
He sent the man in charge a narrowed glare. “You’re becoming annoying since you fell in love, you know that?”
“Janie says I’m more approachable.”
