He lifted her hands and gently pressed a kiss on the back of each of them. “I’ve been angry at myself, angry at you, because I care so much about you. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you.”
She tugged her hands free and cupped his cheeks. “Then maybe instead of pushing me away, you should be pulling me close. Because there’s no one I’d ever trust more than you to keep me safe.”
He groaned before taking her in his arms and kissing her. The kiss was so sweet, so tender, that she was crying when it was over.
He frowned and gently wiped away her tears. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. What is it? What did I do?”
She laughed through her tears. “You did everything exactly right. These are happy tears, for once.”
He pulled her against his chest. “I don’t know that I deserve your trust. Or that I deserve you at all. But you make me want to.” He pressed a kiss against the top of her head.
She reveled in the feel of him in her arms, finally. The sweetness of his hug, and the kiss they’d just shared, melted away the hurt of the past week. Finally, she was exactly where she wanted to be. And it felt far better than she’d ever imagined it would.
“I’m so glad I took Zeus for a walk that day,” she said. “And that you were with me when the killer found me. You’re an amazing man.”
He grew still, then gently pushed her back. “That’s it. The missing puzzle piece. The path where you were abducted the first time, and where we met while you were walking Zeus. That has to be it.”
She stared up at him in confusion. “What are you talking about?”
He pulled out his cell phone. “It’s always bothered me that the killer knew you’d be at the Brodericks’. And that he had enough lead time to have carjacked the delivery guy and hidden the truck in that garage. He also had time to loosen a section of fence, all in anticipation of us coming over. Who knew you’d be with me that night?”
She shook her head. “No one. No one but you and me. I didn’t even tell my parents where we were going.”
“Exactly. You and I didn’t talk to anyone about our plans. And there’s no reason to assume the Brodericks would have told anyone either, or that they’d just happen to mention it when the killer was nearby.”
“Okay, then the killer would have had to hear you and me discussing it. Is that what you’re saying?”
“Bingo.” He pressed a speed-dial number on his phone. “Mason, yeah, it’s Bryson at my new number. Listen, are any of the Seekers in The Woods subdivision right now, maybe interviewing witnesses?” He shook his head for her benefit. “Okay, right. That’s fine. I can—” He listened for a few moments, nodding. “JSO. Of course. I forgot they were conducting extra patrols out here. I’ll call them now. I’ll catch you up later. It’s just a hunch.”
“Bryson, what’s going on?”
“Just a minute, sweetheart. One more call.” He pressed another speed-dial number. “Detective Burns? Bryson Anton. Yes. I have a favor to ask.” He idly turned away, slowly walking down the length of the fence as he explained whatever hunch he had to the detective.
She leaned against a post, smiling as she noted how well he was walking, without using his cane. His limp was barely noticeable. The last several days of rest had done wonders. And thankfully his surgery had been laparoscopic, making the recovery much easier. Still, he hadn’t had a miracle cure. If he pushed too hard he’d end up having to use the new cane she’d gotten him to replace the old one. Or, worse, end up in his wheelchair for the rest of the day. What he really needed was to go home, to get on that flight to Gatlinburg, and give his body more time to fully recover.
As he turned back toward her, still talking on the phone, she wondered what was going to happen next. Not with the case. She was content to let others handle it at this point. What she wanted to know was what would happen with them. After all, he’d kissed her, in full view of her parents who were no doubt watching them through the back sliding glass doors this very minute. And he’d called her sweetheart. Twice in as many minutes. That had to mean something serious, didn’t it?
He stopped a few yards away and leaned against the fence looking out at the water, phone still to his ear. But he wasn’t talking. He seemed to be waiting for something. He suddenly straightened and looked at her, a slow smile spreading across his face. He said something else to the detective, then shoved his phone in his pocket and closed the distance between them.
“What is it?” she asked. “Did they…did they catch him?”
“Not yet. But we’ve got a great lead. I asked JSO to look for some kind of camera tucked up in the trees that overlook the path, at the spot where we were that day I met you with Zeus.”
“And where I was abducted.”
“Yes. It dawned on me that the only reasonable way the killer could have known about you going to the Brodericks’ was if he heard us talking about it. And the only place we spoke about it was—”
“On the path.”
“Exactly. The camera was about twenty feet up in an oak tree, tucked into a juncture with two other branches, with a fake bird’s nest concealing all but a small hole for the lens. And it has audio capabilities as well as visual. He was watching and listening. There may be other cameras along the path too. Now that JSO knows what to look for, they’ll be able to find them, if they exist. More importantly, they’ll be able to get an expert on this, figure out the camera’s range and triangulate the area where someone would have to be in order to receive the transmission.”
“Wouldn’t he have to be close by?”
“Probably. Which means it’s likely he lives or works in this subdivision, and I’m guessing he did two years ago, as well. I doubt he targeted you specifically, not the first time. You just happened along the trail and met whatever criteria he has for his preferred victims.”
She pressed a hand to her throat. “I’m still stuck on the first part, about him living or working here. JSO cleared everyone back then, everyone in the whole development.”
He cocked his head. “They didn’t clear everyone in the one next door.”
She gasped. “Bentwater Place. The house where he took us and put us in the truck. He might live there?”
He shrugged. “JSO’s looking into it. I would have thought if he did, they’d have figured that out already as part of the Broderick murder investigation. But it’s possible he lives in one of the homes next door and would have known the house was empty the night we were doing the interview. Then again, he may live here in your subdivision and the police cleared someone they shouldn’t have when your case was being actively looked into. Like you, I’m a bit skeptical since they missed that camera and it’s remained there all this time. But from what the officer said who found it, he never would have seen it if I hadn’t specifically told him to look for one.”
“Wait. Are you saying it’s been there for years? Not that it was put there recently?”
He clasped her hands in his. “Based on the condition of the outside casing, it was probably there back when you were abducted. My guess is when the police didn’t find it, the killer didn’t risk going back to get it. And when months passed without it being discovered, he kept it active and checked in on the video every now and then.”
“Which is how he knew I was here in Jacksonville, and where we were going that night.”
He squeezed her hands. “I believe so, yes.”
She stared up at him. “I was bound and determined to walk that path all week for my planned visit with my parents. I naively assumed I’d be okay with Zeus and my gun. But the way I froze back at the shack, and at the Brodericks’ house, we both know I wouldn’t have drawn my gun in time to protect myself. And knowing what I do now, I don’t think Zeus could have stopped him either. Thank God you were there that day.”
He leaned down and pressed a quick kiss against her lips. “That camera will hopefully lead t
hem to the killer. And the BOLO they have with the police artist’s sketch will ensure he doesn’t get very far. But I’m not taking any chances. Pack a bag, Teagan. You’re going with me to Tennessee.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
If any other man had informed Teagan that she was going to do something, or go somewhere, without asking her, she’d have ripped right into him. But this was Bryson. She knew his authoritarian dictate wasn’t his typical way of operating, that he wanted to keep her safe, which was incredibly sweet. Besides, flying on a private jet to his home for who knew how many days or weeks of seclusion with him wasn’t exactly a hardship. Especially since they’d worked through the tensions and self-recriminations of this past week. She was looking forward to this time alone with him.
But as she watched him snoozing in the limo seat across from her on the last leg of the trip to his house, she couldn’t help feeling a twinge of disappointment. Between the toll that his injuries had taken on him and the effects of the pain pills and antibiotics, he’d slept most of the way here. He needed the rest to get better. But she was so hungry for time with him, quality time. She wanted that get to know you phase of the relationship that they’d skipped during their life and death struggles. She was greedy to learn the little things.
Like his favorite color.
His favorite food.
Was he partial to country music as so many people around here were?
Would it shock him to know that she hated country music but loved classical?
Since he hadn’t mentioned his family before, and none of them had called or visited him in the hospital, was that because he didn’t have any family? Or was he just trying to keep them from worrying? Did his boss know that he wouldn’t have wanted them told about what had happened?
She couldn’t help feeling jealous if he had siblings. She’d always wanted brothers and sisters. Well, mostly sisters. Brothers could be so mean, at least from what her dad said about her uncles. But growing up an only child, she’d always longed for more. She wanted a house full of her own children one day. Did he want children too? Would he love and cherish them and protect them from a world that could be hateful and mean when people didn’t fit into those neat little racial categories?
“Want to talk about it?”
She met his questioning gaze. “You’re awake.”
“I am.”
“How’s your pain level? Need some pills?”
“I need to know what’s bothering you.” He grimaced as he straightened in his seat, but shook his head when she reached for the bottle of pills in her purse. “Don’t. A little twinge here and there is better than sleeping my life away. Those things knock me out.” He glanced out the window. “Almost home. But we still have time for you to tell me what has you frowning as if you want to kill someone. Hopefully it’s not me,” he teased.
When she didn’t answer, his smile faded. “Seriously. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Random thoughts. Silly things.”
“You can be outrageous and deliciously sassy. But you’re never silly. What are these random thoughts? If you have questions about the investigation—”
“What’s your favorite color?” she blurted out, even though it was the least important question rolling around in her mind right now.
“Ah. Now I understand the frown. You’re contemplating some of life’s most vexing problems.”
“How do you feel about interracial marriages, and children?”
His eyes widened. “Well, Okay. That was unexpected. The answer is gray, by the way.”
“Gray?”
“My favorite color.”
“Gray can’t be your favorite color. Gray isn’t a color. It’s a…shade.”
He shrugged, unconcerned with her assessment. “As to interracial marriages and children, I’m against children getting married regardless of their race.”
She stared at him deadpan. “When did you develop a sense of humor?”
“Apparently never. You’re not laughing.”
She looked out the window. “How much farther to your home?”
In answer, he tapped on the glass partition. It lowered and the driver met his gaze in the rearview mirror. “Yes, Mr. Anton?”
“Take the long way to my house.”
“But, sir. We’re already—”
“Up and down the mountain, then. We have a few things to settle before we arrive.”
“Of course sir. Just let me know when you’re ready to get there.”
The glass went back up, sealing them in privacy again. He moved from his seat to settle beside her, then took her right hand in his left. “I’m assuming this is a hypothetical question. Or is there something else you want to add, so that it’s more specific?”
Her face grew warm. “Forget I asked. It was a ridiculous question and completely inappropriate.”
“It’s a serious question, a deep question, and it deserves a serious, respectful and honest answer. As to being inappropriate, I can’t imagine how it could be, unless maybe it’s not hypothetical after all and you’re talking about you and me—and you’re worried about how I would take it?”
It didn’t seem possible for her face to get hotter, but it did. “Like I said, forget I asked. It was inappropriate, because it assumes all kinds of things, like that whatever this is between us could ever grow into something to where the answer to that question would matter.”
“You’re talking marriage, between you and me.”
She crossed her arms. “You don’t have to sound so stunned. It’s a logical progression in relationships. Not that I’m saying we’re in a relationship, exactly, or that it would become a logical step for us. I mean, if we ever even, you know, dated. Which we haven’t, really—”
He covered her mouth with his and gave her a slow, lazy and incredibly thorough kiss. When he pulled back, all she could do was sigh, and melt against the buttery leather seats.
“Wow,” she finally managed to say. “If I could bottle you up and sell you, I’d make a fortune.”
He laughed, then grew serious. “I’m not going to pretend that I can see into the future and tell where you and I might end up. We’ve had a rocky couple of weeks, and that’s the biggest understatement ever. But I can say with absolute certainty that we are definitely in a relationship.”
She swallowed, and managed a shaky smile. “Good to know.”
“As to your other questions, the first one is easy. In case you haven’t figured it out, I think you’re one of the smartest, funniest and hottest women I’ve ever met.”
She blinked up at him. “You think I’m hot?”
“Oh. Yeah. And that’s not in spite of your brown skin or any other feature that makes you different from me. It’s because of those features, because of all the things that make you uniquely you. You’re an amazing, sexy, wonderful woman, Teagan Ray. Whoever you end up marrying, if you decide to marry, that man would be incredibly lucky and should feel honored that you chose him. And if he doesn’t feel that way, then he doesn’t deserve you.”
She settled against him, resting her head in the crook of his shoulder as he put his arm around her. “You’re an amazing man, Bryson Anton.”
“You’re not so bad yourself. And, Teagan?”
“Yes, Bryson?”
He kissed her neck just below her ear, making her shiver. “I couldn’t begin to understand the ugliness the world may have shown you, the prejudice you’ve likely faced in your life, or the fears you live with every day about things I would never encounter, simply because we were born looking different from each other. But I can tell you this. Hypothetically, if you and I, for example, were to marry and were fortunate enough to have children, I would do everything in my power to protect them in every way. Above all, I would love them, and make sure they knew they were loved, always, unconditionally. And that I’ve got their
backs, no matter what.” He kissed the top of her head. “Does that answer all your questions?”
She shook her head. “Not even close. I have dozens more.”
“Dozens?”
“Scores, actually.”
He laughed. “Then I guess we’ll be riding around this mountain for a good long time.” He settled back more comfortably, pulling her with him. “Go ahead. Ask your questions. But be prepared. I might have a few of my own.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Teagan had learned so much about Bryson during that conversation in the limo two days ago. It had been fun learning about his family, his rather large family of three younger brothers and two older sisters who were both married and had six kids between them.
His family was spread out across the country from coast to coast. While his parents split their time between Canada and traveling all over the US, fully enjoying their retirement, they popped in throughout the year to visit their children and grandchildren.
Bryson had explained that after seeing how difficult it was for his family when he’d been shot during his last Justice Keepers assignment, he’d made Mason promise not to tell them if he got hurt again. That was why they hadn’t been at the hospital. While she couldn’t fathom not keeping her family informed about something like that, she respected his decision.
But in spite of the many new details that she’d learned about him, she realized she’d already known everything that really mattered. He was smart, loyal, considerate, and a million other wonderful things rolled up in an incredibly mouthwatering package that she wanted to devour.
Except that she couldn’t. Not yet.
It was torture not being able to move their relationship forward the way she wanted to. But he couldn’t stand the way the pain pills made it hard to focus and concentrate on the investigation, so he’d all but stopped taking them. And that meant he was hobbling around on an aching hip again in the mornings, stuck using the wheelchair most afternoons. Her heart ached for him as she watched him limping across the family room right now with the aid of his cane, smiling at her and pretending he wasn’t in pain. But the small white lines around his mouth weren’t something he could hide.
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