by Karen Fenech
Laughter and loud, excited voices came from the hall. Paige turned her head to the door as Ivy entered. Jonah bounced along beside her wheelchair. This was the first time Paige had seen him since Thames had taken him. Sam hadn’t spoken of it when she’d asked, other than to tell her that Jonah had recovered fully. Paige’s breath caught thinking of all Jonah had been through. She was overcome by gratitude that he was all right.
Jonah ran to her. “Hi, Paige!”
Her gaze roamed over him. He looked well. Happy. Untouched. Her throat tightened. “Hi.”
Jonah was holding a framed picture. “Look what Ivy did!”
It was his superhero portrait. It looked wonderful. Jonah struck the same pose now as the portrait, spreading his legs wide and crossing his skinny arms across his small chest. Blinking back tears, Paige brought him close and held him. “You are the best superhero.”
Over Jonah’s head, Paige saw Sam fill the doorway. Sam had been by her hospital room every day, bringing Ivy to visit. But after that night when she’d awakened and found him at her bedside, they’d never been alone. He’d never come to her on his own.
He was distancing himself from her. She could feel him pulling away from her. Though she expected it, deserved it, the pain of it rivaled the torture Thames had inflicted on her.
Paige lowered her arms from Jonah and looked to her sister. “Congratulations on your first commission, the first of many.”
Ivy’s cheeks reddened a bit with the praise, then she nodded. “Yes.”
Ivy’s newfound confidence in her artistic ability was well deserved, and it warmed Paige’s heart.
“Who’d like soda and junk food before dinner?” Sam asked.
Ivy laughed and Jonah said, “Us!”
Sam came into the room but only far enough to hand Ivy some bills. “There’s a new vending machine in the waiting room. Have at it.”
Ivy took the money, then turned back to Paige. Mindful of Paige’s injuries, Ivy hugged her. Ivy had been doing that lately. Paige squeezed her eyes shut for an instant. They were on their way back to each other.
“Be back in a bit,” Ivy said, then led Jonah from the room.
Paige watched them go. Again she thought about the fact that she and Sam were never alone. Now, he’d sent the kids away. Why? Paige could only think of one reason for that. Sam had something to say to her that he couldn’t or wouldn’t say in front of Jonah and Ivy.
Sam remained by the wall. “How you feeling?”
“I’ve been better.”
Sam’s eyes became murderous. “I’d like to drag Thames back from hell and use those medieval instruments on him.” Sam’s voice softened. “Ivy told me about your foot.”
Since Paige had confided in Ivy about Thames, Ivy had shown a new level of maturity. When the surgeon had told Paige about her foot, Paige had broken down. Ivy had been there for her, lending her support, and as if their roles had reversed, Ivy became the big sister.
Paige didn’t fault Ivy for telling Sam. Ivy had formed a bond with Sam and Jonah, and as her superior, for the time being at least, Sam would find out anyway when she didn’t resume her duties. “I won’t be coming back to work for a while. Maybe not at all.” She took them back to the conversation in his office at their first meeting. “Looks like I may not be around for the next three years after all.” Despite her best efforts, her lips quivered. “You may need to look into filling that position again sooner than you’d thought.”
Sam crouched beside her so their eyes were level. “You’ll always have a place in my office.”
She wanted that. A place where she belonged with Harry, Dom, Mike, Riley, and Mrs. Hendershot. Paige had hoped she could also belong with Sam. He’d told her not long ago that he was coming to feel that she did belong with him. But that was before Thames had harmed Jonah because of Paige.
Sam maintained his position beside her. He was so close she could see every feature that made up his handsome face. She longed to reach out and brush her fingertips across his skin, but she didn’t. She’d lost the privilege to just reach out and touch him at will.
That truth hurt. She looked away from Sam and said softly, “You found Thames’s grave.”
Sam’s gaze remained on her. “Yeah. We haven’t gotten to all the bodies. Once we do, we’ll be working to identify them.” He released an angry and frustrated breath. “It’s slowgoing.”
Paige hurt for the women who’d fallen prey to a madman, and for their families. A shudder coursed through her at how close she’d come to losing her life as well.
Sam said, “The Bureau issued a statement that the unlawful evidence that appeared in the Thames trial was the result of a clerical error. The earring that was entered into evidence was miscataloged.”
Paige told Sam of her conversation with Thames about the earring. “I don’t suppose it matters now. All those women dead, and it was nothing more than a game to Thames. He told me he killed Janet Lambert because he knew the Bureau would handle that investigation. Because of Mary Emerson, he already knew I was in Kirk County, and he knew I would be assigned to investigate. Janet Lambert was nothing more than a pawn Thames used to draw me deeper into his game.” Paige fastened her gaze on Sam. “I haven’t thanked you. If not for you, I would never have come out of that cave. You saved my life.” She shook her head slowly. “Even after I almost cost Jonah his.”
“What you did was save Jonah’s life. You traded yourself for Jonah. You were prepared to give up your life for my son’s life. Thank me? I’m the one who needs to thank you.” Sam’s gaze grew tortured. “I almost lost you.” His voice was raw. “When I saw you on the floor of that cave, you weren’t moving. I thought I was too late.” Sam looked as if his heart were being ripped out of his chest. He reached out and traced his thumb down her cheek, then took her face carefully in his hand. His eyes blazed. “I love you. You’re it for me, Paige. There will never be anyone else.”
Paige stared at him. Tears welled in her eyes. “I love you. You’re it for me, too.”
Sam’s hand tightened on her face, and he crushed her mouth to his. She kissed him back just as fiercely with all the love she had for him.
Paige heard Ivy and Jonah returning. She pulled back. “Ivy and Jonah are back.”
Sam brought her mouth back to his. Against her lips, he murmured, “They might as well get used to seeing me kiss you. I plan to do that for the rest of my life.”
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A tremendous thank you to Kelli Martin, Alison Dasho, Melody Guy, and to the wonderful team at Montlake, Jessica Poore, Kimberly Cowser, and Marlene Kelly, for their help. I am very fortunate to have all of you with me.
When I began writing stories featuring FBI characters, I received invaluable help with my research. My deepest appreciation to the following people remains: Ernest J. Porter (now retired), Office of Public Affairs, Federal Bureau of Investigation; Neal Schiff, Public Affairs Specialist, Office of Public Affairs, Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Tim Carlton, Coroner of Aiken County, South Carolina.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Karen Fenech is the USA Today bestselling author of the romantic suspense Protectors Series and the erotic romance Surrender Series. Her novels and short suspense fiction have received critical acclaim, and many of her stories have been translated into several languages and have been released in audio format. For information about Karen’s books and to find out when her next novel is released, visit her website at www.karenfenech.com.
