“I’m going to go drive the car around to the parking lot. Will you be okay to walk to the office through the building?” he asked, everything in him was a jumble of knots and making him a nervous wreck. “Or you can wait here until I come back.”
The doctor saw the tension. “I’ll escort her up through the security elevators. You can meet her there, Director.”
He hesitated.
“I’ll be fine, Grey. I’ll stay with Steele until you enter the building.”
They were in a secure facility, so he opted to trust his wife and the ME. “Okay, but don’t leave her alone for even a second.” Dropping a kiss to her lips, he hurried away. He wanted to be there when the doors opened.
Bentley waited until he was gone. “Wow, he’s a mess.”
Weren’t they both? “He’s having a hard time with me being swiped right out of the parking lot. We don’t really have much to go on and it’s making him nervous.”
The doctor unlocked the secured elevator. “I don’t believe the serial killer is the same person who took you.”
Emma stopped moving, her gaze adverted from the man’s face.
“But then, you already knew that, didn't you?”
She turned towards the man. “Doc, you have to keep that quiet,” Emma whispered, lowering her voice. “The FBI is aware and that’s all I can tell you.”
“Are you safe, Emma?” he stared at her from behind his glasses.
It was silly to even have to answer that. Emma didn't trust her life with anyone more in the world than her husband. “I’m locked down tight. I need you to keep this to yourself for my sake. Please Doc.”
“I won’t mention it in my report. Just make sure you watch your back,” he warned, leaning over to hug her.
The doors opened and her husband stood there.
“Thank you, Doc,” she said, walking out to her husband. She noticed he didn't look thrilled and that made her want to giggle. The caveman was all worked up into a frenzy.
Taking her under his arm, he walked them towards the offices. “Why were you cozied up to the ME in the elevator?” he inquired softly in her ear. “You can’t be left alone for five minutes without other men circling you like vultures.”
Emma explained it all and how the man was going to keep it quiet out of the sake of friendship.
That calmed the savage beast, a little.
“Okay, but stop being so damn friendly. It pisses me off,” he warned, only to have her giggle. “I’m not kidding. I think you should stick to hugging women.”
She only laughed more. “I don’t see why you’re stressing it. I’m a one caveman kind of girl,” she began, and then stopped suddenly.
Everything around her went completely silent and her focus shifted to not what she was seeing, but smelling.
“Emma?” he stared into her eyes and they appeared vacant. His wife had zoned out on him, and that scared the bejezuz out of him. He’d seen it before with fellow soldiers and PTSD. Maybe Emma needed to see someone. The trauma might finally be catching up to her.
It was there in the air.
The familiarity.
It touched off the ‘fight or flight’ need in her once more.
Emma’s heart began to pound in her chest as the muscles in her body tightened, and she prepared to bolt, just like she did that night.
“Honey,” he whispered, lifting her chin up, to gaze into her eyes. “Come on. You’re scaring me.”
“The smell,” she muttered, feeling sick to her stomach. God, after all she’d survived, this was going to make her puke?
Croft didn't know what to do, so he instinctually went with what he knew. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her into his body, burying her face in his chest.
They stood in the middle of the precinct, where the uniformed officers were giving them both bizarre looks, as they moved around the couple. Yet, none of that mattered. All he could do was protect her from the ghosts that were chasing her.
Emma listened to her husband’s instructions, and she took deep breaths. The old familiar scent of his cologne filled her and pushed back the fear. It was welcomed wholeheartedly.
When she finally stared up at him, he knew whatever it was had passed.
“Honey, what happened?”
“The second time I woke up in the room, I could smell this cologne. It just hit me again. I couldn’t think,” she admitted, so very glad he was there with her.
Laying kisses across her forehead, Croft stroked her back. “It’s okay, honey. I have you.
Emma nodded and allowed him to move her closer towards her own squad room that was filled with the people she worked with every day. Once inside, she was assaulted with more hugs from her surrogate family.
Croft simply smiled. He was more than willing to suck it up just to have her forget what was previously bothering her. At this point, he’d do anything for her peace of mind.
Detective Bristol approached her and dropped a kiss to her cheek. “I’m so glad you’re back! Are you coming to work today?”
Emma liked the man a great deal. He was super kind. “I’m working, just not here.”
Everyone glanced over at her husband.
“You would think that they would all be used to me by now. What do I have to do? Throw a party to prove I’m not some evil entity that stole Emma’s soul?” he asked laughing.
Detective Bristol snickered. “Will there be beer at this little get together?”
Croft laughed, shaking the man’s hand as he held it out. “Maybe.”
Emma was glad some of them were trying to play nice with her husband. After all, he wasn’t going anywhere for the rest of their lives.
Then, she saw him standing back from everyone else. That alone spoke volumes. Detective Sawyer Laden didn't like her and she had the same feelings towards him. She had a bone to pick with him, over what Brynn had told her.
“So, Sawyer, what’s it like to wear coffee?” she asked, crossing her arms. “I hear you were taking the Vegas bet that I wouldn’t be back alive.”
Croft reacted to that. Why hadn’t he heard this before?
Sawyer laughed. “Come on, Emma. You know that after twelve hours, an abductee is generally a victim. I was being realistic.”
Could he be any more of an asshole?
“You’re like a cat, Emma. You burned up all nine lives on this one. You should be careful next time, because the outcome might be less than positive.”
Greyson didn't like that implication and he lunged at the man. It took three detectives to hold him back. “Are you threatening my wife?” he snarled.
Detective Bristol tried to help keep the man from committing homicide. “He’s not worth it, man. Let him go,” he stated in his ear. “Blackhawk made sure we have her back. We’re keeping a closer eye on Emma now.”
That calmed the man immediately. His boss said he had it covered; the Native man in front of him must be part of it.
As usual, with his excellent timing Ford appeared in his doorway. “Laden, take a walk! Croft, get in here now!”
“Great,” she muttered. “I’m not even back and I’m getting called before the firing squad.”
Croft stared at Bristol. “Thank you,” he replied, shaking his hand again.
The man simply nodded and gave him a wink.
When he made it into the office, he was hoping that Emma wasn’t getting a lecture. He was tired of cop drama for the day. It was draining.
Inside, he felt like he fell down the rabbit hole. Here was his wife and a smiling Captain waiting for him.
Yeah, this was very new.
In fact, it set off his warning bells.
“So, are you coming back to work?” Ford asked, leaning back in his chair.
Emma had taken a seat in one of the opposite chairs and looked rather relaxed herself.
“I’m going to be working with my husband for the next few days, until he wraps the serial killer assignment.” When he placed his hands on her shoulders, Emma lean
ed back into his body, just to offer them both reassurance.
“Do I need to clear it with you?” Croft inquired. “She’s the only survivor that we’re aware of, and we need her assistance.” He let the man assume she’d escaped the Christmas Killer. What the man didn't know wouldn’t hurt them.
“No, if it’s official, and you’re on loan. I can put you down as an intermediary to the Feds. You won’t have to burn your vacation time.”
“Thank you,” she said smiling. “Can I get my gun and badge back?”
All Emma wanted was to feel safe again, and although she did when beside her husband, the gun added to it.
“It’s ready for you,” he replied, pulling it out of his desk drawer. “I’m really glad you’re tough, kid,” he stated, handing her the weapon back. “When we found out you were gone, it made me sick to my stomach. I read the reports on what you survived, and I’m proud of you.”
Croft was curious. “How did you get the reports? I only filed them with the FBI. I didn't release them to the police department yet. It was on my list of things to do today, once I was back in house.”
Ford shrugged. “Well, the commissioner had them, and I asked to read them. How he got them, that’s beyond me. You would have to ask him.”
Emma went tense under his hands, and slowly Greyson began to massage the muscles, much like she always did with him.
“In fact, he was just here. You missed him by a few minutes. Commissioner Booker has been asking for updates on you since you went missing.”
That was odd. Tom Booker had his direct number, and come to think of it, he didn't call him once. Since everything was chaos, he never noticed but now, it piqued his interest. Not once did the man, who was his friend, reach out to him about his wife.
That sent off all the bells and whistles, alerting them that something was way wrong.
Emma stood. “We need to get going. There’s lots of work to take care of before tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I heard on the news you’re the guest of honor at Randall Mason’s party. The commissioner mentioned you’re the apple of his eye.”
There was a bit of animosity in the words.
“Yeah, well I wish I wasn’t. The man is a pain in my ass. I’m only going to be the arm candy for the sexy FBI director,” she teased, trying to keep everyone calm. “Right, big guy?”
“What can I say? I have a thing for sexy redheads,” he replied, leading her out of the office.
Dropping her voice as they strolled out, holding hands, Emma had to ask. “Do you find it odd that…?”
She didn't even have to finish it.
“Yeah, very much so.”
Greyson Croft knew exactly what she meant.
Chapter Seven
Briggs was in a surprisingly good mood as he headed into the office to meet with the team. If he was lucky, Croft would let him work outside in the field the rest of the day.
Anything was better than being chained to the desk and pushing paperwork.
Deciding on some exercise, he opted to jog up the stairs to the meeting instead of taking the elevator. On floor three, he glanced up to see Brynn coming down the flight right at him.
Oh boy, she didn't look happy, which was ironic since he was the one who was mad as hell.
“I was looking for you.”
He looked around. “I guess you found me.” Mental note, no more exercise. He’d take the elevator from here on out. At least then, he could avoid any messy relationship crap in the workplace.
“You moved out?”
“Yes. I thought it was appropriate, since you stopped telling me where you planned to spend your evenings. That doesn’t really scream ‘healthy relationship’, at least not in my world.”
She crossed her arms. “I was out with the people I was working with all day.”
“You were still handling business?”
“No, we stopped to have a beer after shift.”
That knowledge alone pissed him off. “So, you didn't think that the man you’re living with, sleeping with and having sex with should know that?” Could she be this clueless?
“This is my point. I can’t do anything without you asking me a million questions. Where are you? What are you doing? It’s like you’re trying to control me!” she stated angrily.
Briggs stared at her completely shocked by her outburst. “I’m your boyfriend. I think the privilege of asking those questions comes along with the title. I shouldn’t have to justify them to you. It’s a given. It has nothing to do with control, but common courtesy for the person you’re with.”
“I don’t need a mother to check up on me,” she stated.
“I see.” What shocked him was how calm he was staying. When he pictured this coming, he thought there’d be more yelling and raging around like a total lunatic, but now he got it. He simply didn't want to be in relationship with someone who didn't want him as much as he wanted her.
“You’re suffocating me.”
“If that’s how you really feel, I can’t disparage what’s inside you. But I need you to realize that your decision last night was just one of many that showed me that you were done with us, Brynn. You stopped waking up with me, showering with me, and the sex has begun to feel like it was out of obligation, not love.”
She stared at him when he said the word.
“I’ll make it easy on you since you’re looking for reasons to get away from me. I’ll just leave so you don’t have to be miserable. All that I’ve wanted was to be with you and to have that connection we once had. I was mad last night, but I realized something. Because I love you, doesn’t mean that you’ll feel the same about me. I can’t give more than everything, and I can’t try any harder than I already am or did.”
He started back up the stairs.
“Curtis…”
Now, he cut her off. “Be safe, Brynn. I’m sorry I wasn’t what you wanted most in life, but believe it or not, that was one sided.”
Curtis walked away, unwilling to fight, scream, or rage in an argument that he had a snowball’s chance in hell of winning. He loved her, but it was out of his power.
What was meant to be was meant to be.
Brynn couldn’t believe what he just said to her. There was relief that she was now free to reach her ultimate goal, but there was also something else.
Pain filled her heart now too, since she realized that she was going to miss him.
* * *
Walking into the FBI building, they were met with smiles and cheerful greeting. It was a vastly different from where Emma worked. Maybe it was the setting, or the fact that Greyson Croft was the boss, and no one wanted to be on the wrong side to that oncoming storm.
Reputation preceded him. He was tough, took no bullshit, and ran his kingdom with an iron fist. They didn't call him the ‘Ice King’ because of the color of his eyes. The man was scary when he needed to be, and he didn't make any excuses for it either.
This was the FBI. Either you were doing your job, or you were getting your ass handed to you by the big man with the window-filled office.
Strolling through the building, most of the greetings were for Emma, and she appreciated them. There were ‘welcome backs’ and ‘good to see you’s’ that made her day. Everyone was being super friendly.
Heading towards his office, they stopped at his secretary’s desk. Linda was sitting there typing something up and turned immediately. “Emma! How are you?” She raced around the desk to hug the woman. “I’m so glad you’re safe!”
Emma genuinely liked her husband’s secretary. She was kind, smart and didn't mind babysitting the cookie monster. “I’m glad to be back.”
He cleared his throat to get her attention.
“I’m glad you’re back too, boss!”
Emma snickered.
“Yeah, I bet,” he grinned. “I have a few questions and I hope you can answer them.”
“Fire.”
“How did the police commissioner get a copy of the report I filed rega
rding Emma?” he asked, calmly.
“He called here yesterday and asked for it. He said they were working on a joint collaboration and needed to get all the details straight.”
Well, that explained it.
“Did I do something wrong?” Linda began to look worried. “I didn't think there was anything in the report that their people shouldn’t see. Was I mistaken?”
Croft shook his head. “I’m implementing a new policy. Nothing goes to the commissioner’s office unless I approve it.”
“Okay.” The look of worry was on her face and in her voice.
“You’re not in trouble, Linda. I just don’t want the man using friendship to bend the rules and getting the inside track on the cases we handle. I like to keep our stuff in house and strictly above all regulations.”
Leading Emma into his office, he sent a text to the rest of his team. He wanted to know where everyone was with their work, and what was on the agenda for the day.
Immediately, there were replies.
“Are you going to go nuts because of the commissioner?” she finally asked, watching her husband behind his desk.
“Is it that obvious?”
Emma laughed. “Uh huh.”
“Here’s my position. Technically, he should be requesting those files from me. I have to approve it. He went behind my back to get them, using our ‘friendship’. I want to tell him go to hell, but if he’s helping the person behind this, I’ll endanger you.”
She thought about it. “I’d tell him go to hell.”
God, he so wanted to do it.
“I wouldn’t call him and say it to him over the phone, but I’d bring it up casually at Mason’s party. Do it in person and face to face, so they don’t think we know that we suspect him. If you all the sudden do something less ‘Croft-y’ they jig will be up.”
He started laughing. “Croft-y? You’re making up words now too?”
Emma was glad the tension was gone from his face. “Yeah, I use that as a point of reference to things that remind me of you.”
Greyson considered it. “I think I’ll take your advice.”
Christmas is Killing (A Croft & Croft Romance Adventure Book 3) Page 17
