Christmas is Killing (A Croft & Croft Romance Adventure Book 3)

by Morgan Kelley

  The sound that Emma made was somewhere between a laugh, snort, and chuckle. “Yeah, I thought I’d try something new to get my husband’s attention.”

  “How about next time you go with sexy lingerie? That’ll shoot up his blood pressure without risking him having a mental breakdown.”

  Emma was so damn glad to see her partner.

  “What can I do for you?” Brynn asked, remembering how Emma came to her apartment every day when she was out of the hospital with food and to help get her back up and moving.

  “I could use a shower.”

  Brynn began digging in her bag. “Your husband was very specific and I brought you shower gel and shampoo.”

  She took the bottles in her hands and ran her fingers over the label.

  “You need a hug don’t you?”

  Emma nodded as the tears began filling her eyes. “I really do,” she whispered. When the first one slid down her cheek, she quickly wiped it away.

  Brynn didn't hesitate. She moved closer to embrace her partner in her arms and allowed her to cling as much as she needed. “Go ahead. Get it all out, Emma. You’ll feel better.”

  And she did. She wept for what might have been, what did happen, and what was yet to come. Being back was amazing, but there was still this fear over what it all would do to her husband. “I’m worried about Greyson,” she confessed. “I’m fine, but he’s on the edge and that scares me.”

  Brynn stroked her back through the hospital gown. “He had to endure a lot, but you’ll see that it’ll all work out. He loves you and is going to smother you to death now. Good luck peeing alone.”

  That made her laugh because she knew she was probably very right. The man was possessive before. Emma could only imagine what was going to happen now. Oddly, she didn't mind, because she didn't really want to be left alone. Having him play sentinel over her was welcome at that point.

  Brynn released her. “How about we get you showered and dressed. Your Neanderthal husband is about to drag you out of here and back to the high security cave in the sky. You’ll never be leaving it again.”

  Emma nodded. “You’ll have to help me. I don’t know if I can pull this off, and if he sees my body now he’ll lose his mind. I’m a little bruised up.”

  Helping her hobble to the bathroom, Brynn locked the door behind them while Emma stripped. “I brought you flip flops. I wasn’t sure if you could walk in them yet, but they might cushion the bottoms of your feet.”

  “I hope so,” she said, stepping under the water. “Tell me everything that’s been going on,” Emma added, needing to forget about the rape kit and the possible outcome. Normalcy would help her heal, and then she could work on the big guy.

  “Well, I threw a cup of coffee in Detective Laden’s face.”

  Emma started laughing. “Please tell me someone recorded it and I can watch it over and over.”

  She snickered. “No, but Ford sent him home and didn't even yell at me. That shows you how much the man deserved it.”

  “When doesn’t he deserve coffee in the face?” Emma asked, grinning.

  “I won’t say that I didn't enjoy every damn second of it, because that would be a horrible lie,” Brynn joked.

  “What did he do?”

  Brynn didn't know if she should tell her. Part of her wanted to share in the man hate, but the other part wanted to protect her from his vicious words.

  “Spill it,” Emma said, scrubbing her hair with the lavender scented shampoo. Already, she was beginning to feel human again.

  “He didn't think we’d find you alive, and he blamed your relationship with Greyson.”

  Shaking her head, she rinsed her hair. “He’s an asshole. I’ll make sure I tell him exactly what I think of him when I get back to work.”

  “Are you coming back?” Brynn didn't know if she could do it if she was in Emma’s place.

  “I think it all depends on what the results are of the testing. If I wasn’t assaulted, then it’ll make it much easier. I’m scared shitless, but I have a bigger problem on my hands right now.”

  “You do?”

  Emma looked around the shower curtain. “Yeah, I have to keep my husband from going to jail for homicide.”

  Croft argued with the doctors and demanded his wife’s release. He even went as far as pulling his badge and putting her in protective custody. There was no way in hell that he was leaving her at the hospital. In fact, he was planning on sneaking her out through the ambulance bay where the media couldn’t get a peek at her.

  Ordering Briggs to bring the Denali around to the pick-up location, he headed back to his wife to make sure she was ready. They were breaking out of the hospital prison and no one was telling Greyson Croft otherwise!

  Striding back into her room, he found her partner relaxing beside her. His eyes immediately went to his wife sitting in the center of the bed and his heart broke. She looked so small and battered. There were bruises on her neck and cheek, and the rage began filling him. Taking a deep breath, he forced it back down. It could have been a very different outcome, but he’d found her and that’s all that mattered.

  He’d live for that moment for now, focusing solely on that alone.

  Revenge could wait.

  “Honey, you look like you’re ready to go,” he said, moving towards her and dropped a kiss on her lips.

  “I am.”

  He glanced over at his wife’s partner. “Thank you.”

  She didn't mind at all. “How are we sneaking out of here?”

  “Curtis is getting the Denali into the emergency bay, and we’re going out that way and right to the condo.”

  Emma began sliding off the bed. “Okay, I’m ready,” she said, stepping down and wincing.

  Immediately, he was at her side. “I have you, Em. I’ll carry you,” he stated, swinging her up in his arms.

  Instead of arguing, Emma wrapped her arms around his neck and held on, leaving kisses across his cheek and scar. “I love you, Greyson.”

  He stared into her eyes. “I love you, Emma, more than anything in my life.”

  Walking down the deserted halls, he nodded towards the medical staff as he carried her through the emergency room and to the Denali. He could hear the reporters yelling to them, but they couldn’t get a good visual of her.

  As he climbed in the back, he refused to put her down, and instead chose to hold Emma in his lap the entire trip.

  Curtis sat behind the wheel. “Where to, Mom?” he asked, grinning at Emma.

  It made her laugh. “Home would be really nice. I’m exhausted and could use some sleep.”

  “Drive carefully,” ordered Croft, practically growling.

  “Yes, sir!” He saluted his boss.

  Emma curled into his body and rested her head on his shoulder. His fingers were stroking her back reassuringly, and Emma was pretty sure that it was for his peace of mind as much as hers.

  It didn't take long to get there. Briggs drove them inside, dropping them at the elevator.

  “I’ll text you in the morning. I may be working from here, depending on the situation. I have a few research jobs for you,” Croft said, lifting Emma from the back seat.

  “See you tomorrow. I’m glad you’re back, Emma,” Briggs added, winking at her.

  “Me too, Curtis.”

  Croft carried her to the elevator.

  “You can put me down,” she offered, knowing he had to be just as weary and exhausted as she was. “I think I can walk.”

  “No.”

  The one word answer was more than enough explanation on how her husband was feeling. There was no point in arguing with him when his mind was made up.

  “Okay, Greyson,” she conceded, knowing he needed the comfort of having control back. For someone used to running the show, her being abducted had to rattle him a great deal. It would mean a falling spiral of chaos, and that was definitely not his thing.

  Once inside the lobby, he stared out to make sure the media wasn’t at the glass doors waiting
for a picture of her. When the coast was clear, he moved towards the second set of elevators, only to stop to talk to security.

  “Mrs. Croft, welcome home,” the older guard said. “I called my wife, and she’s making you some cookies. She’ll drop them off tomorrow.”

  “Thank you, William,” she replied, smiling at the sweet older man. “I didn't get time to bake any this year,” she answered. Her plan was to do just that before Christmas, but now she figured she needed to work on fixing her husband instead. That was going to take a great deal of work on her behalf.

  “Please make sure no one sneaks by,” Croft said, knowing the media would kill for a picture of Emma at less than her best. It would be headline boosting, and he wasn’t having it. She’d endured enough the last twelve hours, and he would act as her shield as long as possible.

  “Yes, sir.”

  Croft carried her to the elevator and stared straight ahead as the doors closed. “Are you hungry?” he inquired.

  “No, I’m okay, but you should probably eat. You’ve had a really long day,” she offered.

  He started laughing, and it wasn’t a good laughter.

  “Today was a lot of things, but long wasn’t the worst part of it,” he stated, striding towards their door to unlock it. Now, he could finally breathe, because he was bringing Emma home.

  She looked around at the partially decorated space. “We really should finish that tree. It’s almost Christmas.”

  He didn't reply, only carried her towards the bedroom.

  “I’ll tuck you in,” he stated, first taking her to the bathroom to brush her teeth.

  “Will you sleep with me?” she asked, wanting to curl around him and be protected in his arms.

  “If that’s what you want,” he answered coolly.

  Emma could feel the distance that he was placing between them, but she was emotionally broken and totally exhausted. For now, she needed to sleep. “It’s what I want.”

  Carrying her to bed, he helped her slide beneath the comforter. Stripping down, he joined her. His mind was continually working, as he still tried to adjust to the day and what happened.

  How it changed them.

  And most importantly, how this was all his fault.

  Emma immediately moved towards him, trying not to wince in pain when her bruised hip took all the weight of her body. She wouldn’t complain, considering she could be dead. Running her fingers across his chest, she drew patterns in the spattering of chest hair.

  “I’m glad to be home,” Emma said, closing her eyes and finally allowing herself to fall asleep and forget the events of the day.

  “I am too,” he finally answered, waiting for her slow even breathing before he pulled away from her to escape their bed. Right now, Greyson Croft wasn’t fit for human companionship. All he wanted was the test results and to make himself hurt for all the pain that he caused his wife.

  He may have been given a second chance, but it didn't mean he believed he deserved it.

  * * *

  It was all over the news. Detective Emma Croft had been found. Watching it was gratifying. They knew she was tough, and this proved exactly how strong the competition was going to be. To survive being abducted and smart enough to find her way home was kudos to her intelligence.

  It was hopefully enough to rattle the director’s cage. Having his wife taken, right from beneath him, would now give him an idea of what he was working against.

  He’d be more willing to play the game, by their rules, now that he knew the outcome could have been vastly different.

  It would all play out at the Christmas Eve party that was quickly approaching. They’d get a closer look at the director and his battered wife.

  It was both entertaining and enjoyable to know that they were so very close to getting Greyson Croft right where they wanted him.

  He was going to be in their pocket.

  Soon, he’d have no choice but to relax his control on Vegas and see things more their way.

  Well, he had a choice, but now he knew how the other option would end.

  Poorly, for the woman who he loved.

  * * *

  Emma was running through the trees again, except this time, there was someone chasing her. He was taunting her with a voice that sounded very familiar, and yet she was unable to place his face. The trees looked different as she broke through the clearing. Emma was expecting to see the phone booth but there was nothing there.

  Her heart pounded, as she whirled around to hear the footsteps getting closer.

  And closer….

  If she escaped him once before, certainly she could pull it off again. Everything in her screamed to find her husband, reach him, and get to his side.

  He’d keep her safe and scare away the bad things that were searching for her.

  She had to keep ahead of him.

  Emma needed to find a place to hide.

  As she took one more step, a hand grabbed her arm and spun her around. The masked face was twisted with anger and hate. She had no time to react as his hands came to her throat and began squeezing the life from her.

  Emma fought to escape, no words coming from her mouth and the sound of laughter filling the air.

  This was the end.

  She was going to die…

  Jerking awake, she sat upright in bed with her heart beating fast. As Emma looked around, she saw that she was alone. Something wasn’t right, since they had gone to bed together and Greyson promised to sleep with her. Alarm filled her, as she began to worry that he wasn’t going to be okay after all.

  Greyson was a man on the edge, and right then and there, Emma knew she needed to pull him back the other way before she lost him forever.

  He had a code of honor, and now he was punishing himself for something that wasn’t his fault. It was just the kind of man he would always be.

  Honorable.

  Gingerly climbing out from under the covers, she carefully placed her feet on the floor. Emma tried to stand but the pain was almost intolerable. Then, Emma saw her fuzzy slippers and had an idea. Slipping into them, she found the cushioning so much better.

  Okay, this was doable.

  Now, she would search for her husband and try to heal his heart.

  Shuffling down the hallway, she could see the light of the Christmas tree illuminating the room. It sat completed. Greyson had obviously thought she meant for him to finish it. Watching him, he was drinking bourbon and sitting emotionless as he stared off into space.

  Yeah, this was bad.

  She padded her way into the room, stopping beside the couch. “Grey, are you okay?”

  At first, there was no answer, and that told her everything that she needed to know.

  “I’m fine. You should go get some sleep. Your body needs to heal after what you’ve been through.”

  Emma didn't know how to reach him. “Will you come with me?” she asked, hoping he’d join her. She even held out her hand, praying that her husband would reach for her and bridge the hole that had been torn through their lives.

  “Go to bed, Emma.”

  His words stung, as she lowered her hand. “Sure. Good night, Greyson,” she replied, the hurt filling her voice at his rejection. Maybe him finding her wasn’t such a good thing after all. Not if this had already had destroyed them.

  And it obviously had.

  Emma turned and struggled to walk away but somehow managed. If he didn't want to be near her, what could she do?

  Slipping back into bed, she moved all the way to her side to give him even more space. Instead of sleeping, Emma chose to mourn the loss of what they once had together.

  Croft watched her walk away and his heart crushed down on him. Twice in two days, he blew her off, but this time it was because he couldn’t hold onto the anger. It was eating away at him and Greyson wasn’t sure how to let go of it.

  It broke his heart that she struggled to come get him, and he’d been cold once more. Putting down the glass, he walked down the hall to ma
ke sure she had made it safely.

  The soft sobs ripped at his heart.

  The wounded weeping made him want to punish himself more for doing it to her. He’d hurt her so much in one day, how could she ever forgive him?

  He rested his forehead against the wall, beside the open door, as he listened to the woman who owned his heart cry herself to sleep.

  “I’m so sorry, Grey,” she whispered. “I don’t blame you for not wanting me near you anymore,” Emma said to no one in particular. “Maybe it would have been best if I didn’t make it home after all.”

  Her words broke him.

  As much as he was hurting, he couldn’t let her be damaged more. Was this how bad he had become? His sweet Emma honestly believed that he didn't want her there. God, what had he let this do to him? He’d failed her once already and now, he needed to ease her pain.

  Moving into the room, he slid into bed and moved to touch her.

  She flinched as his fingers connected with her skin.

  “Emma,” he began, but was promptly cut off.

  “I’m sorry. If you want me to sleep elsewhere, I will,” she offered as she tried to move from the bed. They had two guest rooms, and she could stay in one of them.

  It was the last thing that he wanted. Grabbing her ring less hand, he kept her connected to him, offering her all that was in his heart.

  “This is all my fault. Had I just taken the time to have lunch with you, and not treat you the way I did, you wouldn’t have been taken. I wasn’t a husband today, Emma, and I don’t know how to get back there. I’m so angry at myself, but I don’t want to make you hurt for my sins, more than you already have.”

  She didn't move.

  “I failed you. I promised to keep you safe, and if anyone should leave, it should be me. You deserve a man who can keep his word. I claimed that you were mine, and I didn't do what it took to hold onto you.”

  Emma looked over her shoulder at him. “You found me, Grey. You’re not a failure. You’re my hero.”

  His eyes filled with tears. Greyson knew that if he wanted his wife back, then he needed to let go of the anger.