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Bently squeezed the bridge of his nose before locking his gaze with her. “I believe it’s a trophy. The other victims were all missing an item of jewelry. He hasn’t earned it, I’m assuming, means he didn’t finish the job he set out to do.”
Charli gasped, her hand covering her mouth.
Finn squeezed her closer against him. Blood roared in his ears. Over my fucking dead body will anyone touch her.
Finn’s gaze swept over his wife. The dark circles under her eyes tugged at his heart, knowing he was the cause of her exhaustion—whether it be because of the growing child inside her or the danger that followed her around, stealing her peace of mind like a thief. “Tomorrow.” Finn kissed her temple. “I want to get you home, run you a bath, and take care of you. Let’s deal with this when we are more rested.”
He thought for sure she’d argue, but instead she sagged in his arms as if all her remaining energy had been drained.
“Okay. I’ll get this dusted for fingerprints now and be over first thing in the morning. I’ll have a car stationed outside your house for extra security tonight.
“Thank you—oh there is a cigarillo in the back. It might be nothing, but it is what brought on the flashback. Could be his. And the door was unlocked.”
“Got it,” Bently promised.
Once Finn had her in her coat and settled in the car, he waved to Bently as they drove towards their home.
“Do I get a foot massage?” Charli asked, leaning her head on the window, eyes closed.
Finn reached out and held her hand. “You get a full-body massage.”
“Mmm.”
After another moment of silence, Charli spoke. “Thank you for telling me everything and taking care of me.”
He pulled past the cruiser sitting across their driveway and parked at their house. “I will do absolutely anything you need, Charli-baby. That also means that I will not be leaving you alone until we catch this guy.”
“And then?” She looked over at him.
“And then it’s up to you.”
“I don’t want you to go anywhere. You belong with me, at home,” she said, her voice full of conviction.
He reached across the console, pulling her into a kiss. His lips slid over hers, tasting her love, feeding off her trust. He sucked on her tongue, pulling her worry, absorbing her fear. He’d take it all on himself if it meant even offering her an ounce of reprieve. She was his everything—his guiding light through the darkest of nights. And he had a feeling things were about to get a whole lot darker before they got better.
46
Charli
Charli opened the freezer door, searching for her newest craving. She frowned at its absence. “Fuuuuck.” She closed the door a little harder than necessary. Her patience was wearing as thin as her nerves these past two weeks since everything had gone down at the bar.
“What’s wrong?” Finn asked, sidling up next to her. He was never more than six feet away from her at all times, which was comforting, but it was also starting to get on her nerves. Other than sitting at his parents’ while he worked, being stuck in the house was making her feel claustrophobic.
“We’re out of peppermint stick ice cream,” she whined. The self-pity in her voice made her cringe. As much as she loved the little pumpkin growing inside her, she was itching to get him out. There was hardly any room left, and the stretch marks now covered the sides of her belly.
“We can go get some,” Finn offered, wrapping his arms around her middle. His beard tickled the side of her neck. “And maybe stop by the Stardust Café for some tea and treats.”
She sighed into his embrace. “You know how to fix everything.”
He stiffened. “I wish.”
She turned around to face him. “Bently said he’d have an update today.”
Finn nodded as his phone rang. Lifting it from his pocket, he said, “Speak of the devil.” Finn tapped the speaker button and answered. “Give me some good news.”
“Charli there with you?” Bently asked.
“I’m here.”
