Chapter 25
Kade
“Come in here.” Unclenching my jaw, I tamp down the tension threatening to erupt any second.
Arms crossed, Briana hesitates.
Worried the killer could circle back, I open the door wider, easing the edge from my voice. “Please.”
Impatient, my dog nudges the back of her knees, herding her inside. Once she’s safe in the kitchen, I close all the shades and pull out a chair.
“Sit.”
Straddling another, I take a slow breath. “Why didn’t you shout for backup?”
Eyes narrowed, she tilts her head. “If the roles were reversed… would you have?”
“No—but—”
She bolts upright, pacing, hands fisted tight. “What the hell? I’ve got a whole tribe trying to protect me. I don’t need another bodyguard.”
Each word punctuates with a bang as her fist slams the counter—the same one where we just made love.
“God, I heard him. Mumbles was in my crosshair. I could’ve ended this if not for—”
Me. Yeah, I get it. The bastard could’ve taken her out just as easily.
“I’m sorry I scared him off,” I say quietly. “That doesn’t mean I’m not pissed. You never should’ve gone out there alone. Never.”
“There was no time.” Voice fierce, mouth grim, she spins to face me. “You don’t get it. He’s not all there, Kade. I saw a car—someone else was driving. The guy has a freaking partner.”
Jesus, there’s two hunting her. A chill creeps up my spine.
This isn’t just about protecting a witness anymore. I care about her—way more than I should.
Needing her closer, I tug her hips until she drops on my lap.
Eyes wide, she cups my beard with both hands. “Don’t you see? This proves I wasn’t lying. You can get them to drop the charges… right?”
That raw hope nearly shatters me. I wish to God I could lie.
“Babe…” I swallow. “I didn’t see him.”
“Why can’t I ever catch a break?” Backbone stiff, she jumps to the window, as if she could conjure evidence out of thin air.
“Don’t.” I yank the curtains shut. “He could still be out there.”
For a moment, I consider calling Hunt, but it can wait. Other than footprints, there’s nothing new.
Besides, we’ll both probably think straighter with some food in our stomachs.
“If you don’t mind me asking, how did you happen to see him?” The front right burner on high, I glance over my shoulder.
She’s already tearing into a box of mac and cheese.
“Couldn’t miss him. Becca didn’t need to pee—she was trying to warn us.” After pouring the noodles into the pan, she leans down to pat my dog.
The star of the hour wags her tail, flashing a toothy doggy grin.
Minutes later, we’re sitting in front of steaming bowls of cheesy noodles when my message notification pings.
“What now?” She lowers her fork while I read the text.
“DNA results are in.”
“And?” Her chair scrapes on my old plank floors as I open my laptop.
“Says here the stalker’s name is Diego Carmine.
Former Army Ranger, dishonorably discharged over twenty years ago.
Psychiatric history flagged. Obsessive-compulsive tendencies.
IT professional. Works remote. Keeps busy—church, youth groups, hiking clubs.
Motorcycle enthusiast. No spouse. No arrests. ”
I open the image of his driver’s license and tilt my screen toward her. “Is that him?”
“Yeah. It’s him.” Biting her lower lip, she lifts her eyes to mine, then drops them to the floor.
Whatever’s going on in her brain, it probably doesn’t bode well for me.
“Listen… about the sex.”
Ah shit, babe. Don’t say it.
“It doesn’t have to mean anything, okay? We’re adults. We’re attracted to each other. No need to go changing your Facebook relationship status.”
Normally, my ego might take a hit, but this isn’t about us. It’s about a cold blooded killer coming after her.
Rather than call her out, I simply grunt.
It seems to do the trick.
Shifting gears, she points at my screen. “See these two murders? They don’t match. Neither victim was killed hiking in the woods.”
No, but if the ex-Ranger had gotten off a shot, hers wouldn’t’ve been flagged as a part of a pattern either. “This guy adapts, switches things up. The only common thread is the stalking.”
More worried now, I call Hunt.
After I describe the guy outside the house, he unleashes a string of curses. “I’ll head out at first light. He could've left something behind. Any chance you caught him on camera?”
Damn. Rookie move. I hadn’t even checked. “Yeah—give me a sec.”
When I come up blank, the air whooshes out of my lungs. “Nothing. He avoided them all.”
“Not surprised. Stay safe. Stay in touch.”
The moment he hangs up, Bree’s on her feet, shaking her head. “I can’t wait anymore. Time to go on the offensive. You know I’m right—he’s compelled by his OCD to kill me. That’s why he keeps muttering ‘not right.’ With or without you, I’m going back into those woods.”
“No.”
The word’s out before I can stop it.
And the second it lands, I know—
I’ve fucked up.