19. Hearts And Flowers
NINETEEN
Hearts And Flowers
CJ
Hearts and flowers were for saps and weak-willed fools, but slap him silly if CJ wasn’t becoming that guy for Melissa. He preferred guns, sweat, hard fists, and even straight-up sex, but it didn’t bother him to wrap Melissa in his arms and simply hold her close.
Melissa stared at him, confused after he announced they would be leaving. He entwined his fingers with hers, hoping to reassure her everything would be okay.
She cocked her head. “But the officer…”
He lifted her hands and wrapped them around his neck, pulling her against him. She barely came to his shoulders, and he could rest his chin on the top of her head if he wanted. The woman fit him like a glove. She tilted her head back to look at him, but all he could see were her pink, pillowy, and perfectly kissable lips.
She wasn’t married to that psychopathic asshole, which meant he didn’t have to keep his hands to himself.
A devilish grin spread across his face.
“I’m taking you to a hotel with a hot shower or warm bath, whichever you prefer. You’ve got to be exhausted.”
“But my things?”
“We’ll get whatever you need.”
He jerked his chin to Jenny, who’d been watching the whole exchange. She arched a dark eyebrow and cocked her head to the side.
“The cops won’t let you inside, but they might let Jenny take a few things.” The place was a crime scene, he doubted they’d let Jenny take anything, even with the connections Sam had called, but it was worth a try.
“Yeah, sure,” Jenny said. “Is there anything in particular you want?”
Melissa chewed her lower lip, then rattled off a list and told Jenny where to find a suitcase.
Jenny gave him one of those annoying I-know-what-you’re-thinking looks. She wasn’t a woman who took orders well. Maybe he should have asked before offering her services. Still, he wanted to get Melissa away from the house as quickly as possible.
“Please just do it already.” CJ vented an exasperated sigh.
Jenny gave the slightest of nods before heading inside.
“I don’t understand how I can leave.” Melissa scrunched her forehead. “They said I had to stay and go down—”
“You’ve been in the hospital. It’s clear you had nothing to do with this. They’ll have more questions, but you can answer them later. You need rest, and I want to make sure you get stripped out of those clothes and in that shower.”
A flush crept into her cheeks. Too late, he realized what he’d said and how she might have taken it. He’d already stripped her down once. The chance to do so again had his mind thinking wicked thoughts and his cock twitching.
“You know who they think did that, don’t you?” She pointed back to her house, her voice hesitant and wary.
He nodded. There was nothing to be gained by ignoring the truth. “I do.”
She shifted away from him and cast her gaze to the ground. He tightened his grip around her waist, pulling her back to his chest.
“Then you know who I am?”
“I do.” But she didn’t yet know how he was connected to her ex-husband.
“You sure you want to be associated with the ex-wife of a serial killer?”
His heart broke to see a fresh tear creep down her cheek.
He wiped the moisture away with his thumb, wishing he could have kissed it away instead. “Your safety worries me. I’m concerned he’s back out in the world where he can hurt you.”
“You’re too kind.” She brushed another tear from her cheek. “I thought it was over. I thought I’d finally get my life back.” More sniffles followed a few choked sobs. “He just keeps coming back.”
He hadn’t yet mentioned the phone conversation he’d had with her ex-husband, but now was not the time. She was frightened enough.
He tucked her head under his chin, and his hands moved of their own accord, stroking her gorgeous hair and twining it around his fingers. It was so much more beautiful than the short blonde bob she’d once worn.
“He’s out there.” Another shudder passed through her body. “That girl died because of me.”
He kissed the top of her head. “It’s not your fault.”
“He won’t stop. Forever and always, those were our vows. Until death do us part. He’ll keep killing until he has me. I should never have gone through with the divorce. I knew what it would do to him, but I thought… I just wanted to be free.”
Her fingers clutched at the fabric of his shirt, and her voice dropped to a whisper. “When it happened, I didn’t believe the police when they came to my house. I didn’t believe it when they showed me the warrant. I still couldn’t wrap my head around what was happening when they found the bodies. He told me it wasn’t him, and I believed every word.”
CJ held her close and rubbed her back. “Melissa, stop. There’s no way you could have known.”
She shook her head as if trying to dispel the horrible memories.
He’d seen similar behaviors in other victims and did his best to listen.
“I should have known,” her voice cracked, “but I was so afraid. I ignored all the odd things he did because I wasn’t allowed to question him. I couldn’t see what was right in front of my face.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I married a monster, and everyone thought I’d helped him.” She choked back more sobs. Despair hung thick on her words, but in her eyes, the truth shimmered with her fear.
He related to her horror because of his memories.
“After his execution, I thought I’d be able to live again, turn the page on a new life. But, he’s cheated me out of that, and—oh God—all the families waiting for justice.”
Her comment had him tensing, and he had to force himself to relax.
She pulled at CJ’s shirt. “He’s coming, and he won’t stop until he has me back until he—” She broke down with wracking sobs.
CJ rocked her, not knowing what else he could do. “You’ll be in protective custody. He won’t be able to touch you.”
Jenny walked out of the house carrying a small suitcase. Behind her, Mac followed with a much larger bag. CJ arched a brow.
Jenny shrugged. “Wasn’t sure what to pack. You never know what a girl will need.”
He shook his head. “Load it into the car. Did you talk to Sam?”
Mac’s face broke out into a grin. “Oh, you bet I did. Not sure what you said, but we’ve got marching orders.”
“We good?” He asked.
“Yup, we have some strategizing and planning to do, but this won’t hold us up.”
CJ blew out a breath. “Well, let’s not waste any more time. Take us to the hotel, and we’ll get started.”
“There’s not much to go on until we talk to the girls.”
Melissa stiffened. “Girls?” Her raw, helpless gaze tunneled straight to his gut. “Oh, CJ! There are more girls?”
With the slightest press of his lips against her temple, he made a hushing sound.
“No, it’s for a kidnapping case we’re working. Nothing to do with this.” She felt too damn good, cuddled against his side.
“What exactly do you do?” Melissa asked. “I thought you were a paramedic.”
“I was… am, kind of.” He scratched his head. Explaining what Sam’s company did would generate more questions than he was willing to answer. “We work kidnapping cases in consultation with the FBI.”
She stiffened. “What kind of consultation work?”
“High profile kidnappings.” He pointed to her house. “Sometimes we help with cases like this.”
She swayed on her feet, and he steadied her until she regained her balance. “Who are you?”
“I’m a Guardian.” He’d explain what that meant later. Eventually, he’d have to tell her about his sister. But that talk could wait.